Volume 75
Number 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In cities large and small, Emory graduates assembled to renew old friendships, to make new ones, to learn of events on campus, and to be stimulated intellectually.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


As we look back on the 1998—99 academic year and consider the many contributions of time and resources made by alumni and friends of Emory University, we truly are filled with gratitude. By all accounts the year just passed was a record-breaking one for the University.

Allison K. Dykes and
Gerald B. Lowrey ’81PhD are interim executive directors of the Association of Emory Alumni.

During 1998—99, Emory organized 177 events for alumni in more than twenty-five cities nationwide. More than twelve thousand alumni participated in events ranging from classes and lectures by distinguished faculty members to the 5K Run at Lullwater during Alumni Weekend. In cities large and small, Emory graduates assembled to renew old friendships, to make new ones, to learn of events on campus, and to be stimulated intellectually. In Atlanta, more than a thousand alumni attended the lecture presented by Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Swissôtel, making it one of the largest events of the year.

More than three hundred fifty people attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $7.5 million Miller-Ward Alumni House in November 1998, which, thanks to the generosity of Emory donors, will be ready for occupancy this autumn. The new alumni center will enable us to expand our programming for Atlanta-area alumni and better welcome alumni visiting from other cities.

Under the able leadership of Clifford Bell ’46Ox-’50C and his team, the Emory Annual Fund received contributions from a record 18,969 Emory alumni, a twelve percent increase over the previous year. Executive Director C. J. Drymon reported that for the first time, the Annual Fund passed the $3 million mark, receiving $3,560,960.

There are many promising signs that we can maintain this momentum. In late September, for example, Alumni Weekend achieved a new attendance record when some seventeen hundred Emory alumni participated in the weekend’s events, highlighted by a keynote address by historian Shelby Foote.

We are pleased to announce an exciting new benefit for alumni: a place in cyberspace to reconnect with one another in our recently launched Online Community. In addition, our many ongoing programs are enjoying record levels of alumni participation, including the Young Alumni Program, the travel program, the Alumni Career Network, the Alumni Admissions Network, and educational programs such as the recently completed “Savannah Sojourn.”

Finally, we are happy to be a part of a new management team that during the 1999—2000 academic year will merge the Office of Regional Programs with the Association of Emory Alumni, allowing us to better coordinate the many events planned for alumni locally and throughout the nation. Our programs are stronger than ever, and we have exciting innovations planned. With your help, the future of the Association of Emory Alumni is brighter than ever!

Allison K. Dykes
Gerald B. Lowrey ’81PhD

 

 

© 2000 Emory University