Read more... - Wayne State University Alumni Association

On the cover: Christina Ayar, CLAS ‘08, M.A. ‘10; Chris (Basso)
Bowen, M.CLAS ‘93; Barbara L. Jones, M.A. ‘12; Tom Dale,
Life.Learn ‘86; Gladyne Wiley, Bus. ‘93; Larry Brown, Bus. ‘67;
Saiida Stoakley, CLAS ’04; Gina Peoples, FPCA ‘03; Joanne
Stewart-Brogdon, M.S.W. ‘01; Michael Bowen, FPCA ‘81, M.F.A.
‘86; Maria Sepúlveda, Ph.D. ‘08; Tanina Mackey, Bus. ‘05; and
Oria Jackson, Ed. ‘73, M.Ed. ‘79.
LINDA RADIN

a new
direction
The alumni association eliminates membership dues, turns its
focus toward communication and engagement
BY MICHELLE FRANZEN MARTIN
At the university’s Presidential Town Hall meeting, held days after the alumni association Board of
Directors voted unanimously to eliminate the organization’s membership dues program, a member
of the audience asked President Allan Gilmour what he thought about the change.
His response was both thoughtful and enthusiastic.
“We want people to understand what we are doing, and to tell other people about it,” he told
the audience in April. “We want the insights of our alumni. We want their service. When you see
the engaged alumni body at some universities, you see what valuable assets they are. Now it’s our
job to get the valuable assets from the people, and doing away with dues is one way to do it. We are
welcoming now.
“We need to reach out and communicate and, at the same time, listen.”
President Gilmour’s support of the alumni association’s transition to a non-dues program
echoes the response from many alumni — overwhelmingly positive.
In June, when alumni were informed about the organization’s move to a non-dues program,
they responded with a number of phone calls and emails showing their support.
“The response was humbling,” says Mitch Ritter, president of the alumni association. “Alumni
embraced how this change would help to create greater opportunities not just for the alumni association,
but also for the university. They expressed their interest in wanting to get more involved,
and that they told us time and again how this would help to create a stronger alumni association.”
The change does not apply to the School of Medicine Alumni Association, which is a separate
501(c)(3) organization and will continue to offer a dues program.
With the elimination of membership dues, the alumni association will focus on two areas —
communication and engagement.
“We no longer will be focusing our efforts on sending membership solicitations and raising membership
dues,” Ritter says. “We instead will concentrate on producing the best communications and
engagement opportunities that we can give our alumni.”
ALUMNI.WAYNE.EDU DECEMBER 2012 | 11

The decision to eliminate the membership dues program was
not one that was taken lightly, nor is it unusual for some universities
to move in that direction. A number of universities — including
Oakland, Illinois and Georgia — have eliminated their
membership dues programs in recent years.
The alumni association Board of Directors and staff spent more
than a year studying the outcome of undertaking such a change,
and evaluated the benefits of doing so.
“The benefits were a win for everybody,” Ritter says. “The university
will gain more involved alumni, and the alumni association
will focus on building its relationships with them.”
Current alumni association members will not have to do
anything when their membership expires. They are encouraged,
however, to visit alumni.wayne.edu to update their home address
and email to ensure they are receiving the most up-todate
communications.
Alumni who never have been a member also are encouraged
to go online and request an Alumni OneCard, which gives them
come back
to campus
Haven’t been to campus
lately? There’s a lot going
on, and you won’t want to
miss it. Attend an alumni
event, or become an alumni
volunteer. Attend a university
lecture, or simply stop by
and explore campus at your
leisure. While you’re here,
visit us in Alumni House, 441
Ferry Mall. For a complete list
of alumni association events
and activities, visit alumni.
wayne.edu.
Homecoming is a great time to come back to campus.
access to a number of benefits and services both on campus
and off. (See page 16 for a comprehensive list of benefits and
services.)
Rather than paying membership dues, alumni can support
the university in other ways — by being a volunteer, attending
an event or making a gift.
“We already offer outstanding communications, events
and programs,” Ritter says. “This new direction means we
will continue to produce an even greater number, and higher
caliber, of them for our 245,000 alumni.
“This is an exciting time for the alumni association. If the
overwhelming support of our alumni is an indication, our
change to a non-dues program will be a very successful one.
There is so much opportunity for the organization, as well as
for the alumni who choose to support our new direction.”
Michelle Franzen Martin, FPCA ’96, is editor of Wayne
State magazine.
12 | DECEMBER 2012 A LUMNI.WAYNE.EDU

New York regional engagement event, 2009
regional engagement
Regional events connect alumni and friends
with Wayne State — especially those alumni
living at some distance from the university.
Recent regional events have been held in
Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago. For more
about regional events, see page 44 or visit
alumni.wayne.edu.
For more information about regional
events, contact Maureen Leonard at
moleonard@wayne.edu.
Alumni volunteers Robin Smith and Tom Dale
volunteer programs
The alumni volunteer program builds loyalty
and support by offering opportunities for
alumni to serve the university.
These programs include the Alumni
Ambassadors Program, which extends
the reach of the Office of Undergraduate
Admissions by encouraging knowledgeable
and enthusiastic alumni to participate in
student recruitment activities. The Alumni
Ambassadors participate in admissions
activities at the request and direction of
the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
and the Irvin D. Reid Honors College.
For more information about alumni
association programs, contact Joye Clark at
joye.clark@wayne.edu or 313-577-2161.
frequently asked questions
WHY DID THE WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION ELIMINATE ITS ALUMNI DUES PROGRAM?
The Office of Alumni Relations has shifted its focus from membership
to communication and engagement, giving all alumni the same access
to the university’s alumni communications, programs and services. This
change is based on current best practices of major public universities
nationally and various research and consulting recommendations.
HOW DOES THIS ENHANCE ENGAGEMENT?
The new model enhances engagement by removing barriers to participation
because there no longer is a member vs. non-member distinction.
The focus of alumni relations activity no longer will be dues solicitation.
Those freed-up monetary and human resources will be directed to
offering all alumni ways to connect with the university, from student
recruitment to philanthropy.
WHAT IS THE NEW POLICY REGARDING MEMBERSHIP?
The alumni association Board of Directors approved a proposal on April
12, 2012, to eliminate the membership dues program. Current members
no longer are solicited for renewals. All alumni will be offered the same
benefits and services.
WHO IS COVERED BY THE NEW MEMBERSHIP POLICY?
AND WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?
The Office of Alumni Relations and each of the school/college alumni
board of directors, Women of Wayne, Organization of Black Alumni and
Athletics Alumni Association are covered by the new policy. The change
does not apply to the School of Medicine Alumni Association, which is a
separate 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
WILL PEOPLE HAVE TO “OPT IN” WHEN CURRENT
MEMBERSHIP EXPIRES?
No, you will not have to take any action. To receive the most up-to-date
information, please update your information with the Office of Alumni
Relations at 313-577-2300 or at alumni.wayne.edu.
IS THERE AN ALUMNI ID CARD?
Yes. If you have not already received a WSU Alumni OneCard, you can
contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 313-577-2300 to request
one. Or visit alumni.wayne.edu.
ALUMNI.WAYNE.EDU DECEMBER 2012 | 13

Website
alumni communications
The alumni association’s award-winning communications
program has received more than three
dozen awards in recent years. Alumni association
communications include:
Wayne State Published four times
a year by the alumni association, the magazine
always has been an alumni favorite. The magazine
is available in print and online.
Wayne State This e-newsletter is mailed
monthly to all alumni for whom we have email
addresses.
Connect with the alumni
association on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube
and LinkedIn.
To be sure you’re receiving the most up-todate
emails and newsletters, visit alumni.
wayne.edu/W3 to confi rm your mailing and
email address. Or call our offi ce at 313-577-
2300.
For more information about alumni communications,
contact Michelle Franzen Martin at
313-577-5579 or michelle.martin@wayne.edu.
Recipients of the David Adamany-WSU Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship in 2009
Wayne State magazine staff Sarah Freeman, Michelle Franzen
Martin, FPCA ’96, and Marge Kelly, FPCA ’76, at a 2011
alumni event
SILVER WINNER
OZZIE AWARD
Wayne State Magazine
BEST REDESIGN
(NON-PROFIT/ASSOCIATION)
FOLIO:
The alumni communications program has won more than
35 awards since 2005.
alumni association scholarships
The alumni association offers two scholarships
to students:
Students who have demonstrated exemplary
leadership at Wayne State are eligible to apply for this
scholarship.
Currently enrolled undergraduate
students (full or part time) can apply for this scholarship.
They must have demonstrated a postponement of
post-secondary education.
For more information about alumni association
scholarships, contact Kelli Jurich at kjurich@wayne.
edu or 313-993-4354.
14 | DECEMBER 2012 A LUMNI.WAYNE.EDU

alumni events
The alumni association offers a variety of events throughout the
year. For a list of upcoming events, visit alumni.wayne.edu/events or
read our monthly e-newsletter, @ Wayne State.
For more information about alumni events, contact Joye Clark at
313-577-2161 or joye.clark@wayne.edu.
Alumni OneCard
ALUMNI ONECARD
This debit/ID card can be
used across campus —
from purchasing food at
university restaurants to paying
for parking at any of Wayne State’s structures and lots. Alumni
can load funds onto the card and enjoy cashless transactions
across campus.
The OneCard doubles as a library card. The OneCard also gives
alumni discounts at businesses throughout Midtown and downtown
Detroit at places such as the Detroit (Renaissance Center)
Marriott, Rio Wraps (downtown location) and Canine to Five dog
daycare. For a complete list of available discounts with your
OneCard, visit shops.wayne.edu/show-and-save.php.
alumni.wayne.edu
ALUMNI.WAYNE.EDU DECEMBER 2012 | 15

one alum looks back
on Alumni House
Through the years, Alumni House, constructed and dedicated in 1960,
has relied on the most modern technology — from mimeograph
machines to email — to communicate with alumni.
Back in 1967 when I started as a student assistant at Alumni House,
the building was quite new and held the most up-to-date methods
of keeping in touch with the university’s alumni. Keeping in touch,
however, was quite a labor-intensive endeavor. From the press we used
to address envelopes to the mimeograph machine we used to make
copies, our hands and arms were pushed to the limit.
One summer I spent weeks and weeks in the mimeograph room
making thousands and thousands of copies of various documents. We
always kept our fi ngers crossed as we used the large, bulky, clacking
mimeograph and folding machines. It was quite a feat to get through
an entire job.
In the fi ve decades since Alumni House opened, much has changed
both inside and outside the building. Ferry Street is no longer a busy
road, but a pedestrian-friendly mall. Inside a lounge area is now a
meeting room, two conference rooms are now offi ces, and the clacking
of typewriters has been replaced by the quiet tapping of computer
keyboards. And gone are the mimeograph and folding machines.
However, one thing remains the same — Alumni House is a
welcoming on campus home for all the university’s alumni. It will
always be a home for those who love Wayne State.
Marion K. Ringe, CLAS ’70, M.CLAS ’77, senior writer in the
Division of Development and Alumni Affairs
Alumni House staff in 1967. Ringe is pictured in back right.
alumni association
benefi ts
Under the new organization structure,
all alumni have access to the same
alumni association benefi ts:
UNIVERSITY DISCOUNTS
LIBRARY PRIVILEGES
INSURANCE DISCOUNTS
A LUMNI.WAYNE.EDU

-
-
For more information about alumni benefits, contact
Carmen Garcia at 313-577-2167 or carmen.garcia@
wayne.edu.
our history
The Wayne State University Alumni Association officially was formed
in October 1935. Here are a few highlights from its 77-year history:
Homer D. Strong becomes the alumni association’s first
executive director, a position he held for 24 years.
The Wayne Alumni Foundation, which gave alumni an
opportunity to make gifts to the university, is established.
Alumni House, headquarters for the alumni association,
is dedicated.
Homer D. Strong retires from the alumni association;
Paul Andrews becomes executive director.
Alumni association travel program is launched. The first
tour takes alumni to the Mediterranean island of Mallorca.
The organization’s annual ethnic night event honors the
alumni association’s first endowed scholarship recipient.
The award-winning Wayne State magazine is founded.
Paul Andrews retires; Marguerite Rigby becomes the
organization’s third executive director.
The Organization of Black Alumni is established.
The David Adamany-Wayne State University Alumni
Association Endowed Scholarship is established.
Athletics Alumni Association is established.
@ Wayne State, the alumni association’s first electronic
newsletter, is launched.
World Wide Wayne (W3), the alumni association’s new online
community, is launched.
The alumni association eliminates its membership
dues program.
Ty Stevenson becomes new executive director.
ALUMNI.WAYNE.EDU DECEMBER 2012 | 17