Alumni Connection

20th Anniversary Celebration & Alumni Reunion - Wrap-up!

On Saturday, July 24, the Philanthropy and Development program celebrated its 20th anniversary with an alumni gathering in Winona. Thank you to all alumni and guests who attended this event.

Guests gathered as a group in the Toner Center Lounge to get reacquainted with each other and make new friends; shopped for alumni souvenirs at our SMU bookstore; and shared a lunch buffet with current students and fellow alumns in the North Dining Room.

The early welcome session was followed by a P&D program review presented by Dr. Gary Kelsey, P&D Program Director. Dr. Kelsey, discussed recent enhancements to the program including the adoption of a "blended delivery" learning model. P&D faculty member Simone Joyaux, ACFRE, conducted a professional workshop for alumns titled: "The Need For Ongoing Professional Development."

Alums welcomed the opportunity to share some of their recent success stories with the group. David Bergman of Cohort 5 pledged $500.00 to reinstate the "Diversity Scholarship" his cohort gifted in 1990. His pledge was subsequently matched by two similar $500.00 gifts, and the group is currently working to secure additional donations to support this important scholarship opportunity.

The celebration concluded with a relaxing Mississippi River dinner cruise aboard the LaCrosse Queen.

Some comments from participants:
"The recent P&D 20 Year Reunion was well planned. It was my pleasure being a part of the milestone event while meeting alumni from other cohorts.” [David Bergman: Cohort 5]

“We looked forward to this event and had such a good time...we cannot wait for the next one!” [Sharon Lee and Elizabeth Evensen: Cohort 15]