November 13, 2012 - Drexel University

Drexel University Alumni Association
Board of Governors Meeting
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
6 p.m., Sky View Room, University Club
Minutes
Executive Committee Present: Jeffrey T. Macaluso ’82, Chair; Lawrence P. Lehmann, P.E. ’72, Vice Chair; Ira
M. Taffer, Ph.D. ’79, ’83, Vice Chair; Robert S. Lazzaro ’82, ’96, Treasurer; Palak N. Raval-Nelson, Ph.D., M.P.H.
’02, ’08 (via teleconference), Secretary; James B. Dougherty, Jr., Esq. ’78, ’81, Past Chair
Directors Present: Michael D. Andescavage ’06 (via teleconference); Ashley Smith Baptiste ’92; Richard D.
Blumberg ’84; Catherine M. Campbell-Perna ’95, ’10; Michael E. Conti, CRNA, MSN ’00, ’03; Jonathan S. Corle
’70; Susan B. Daroff ’70; Donna J. Downes-Matreale ’82; James R. Gravesande, P.E. ’84; Dennis C. Link ’69, ’70;
Jacqueline T. McClure ’87; Theodore P. Michaels ’82; Jason A. Miller ’07; Anthony M. Noce, Jr. ’80; John R.
Phillips, CFA ’86, ’89; Charles N. Sacco ’06; Kevin Turcotte ’08
Directors Absent: Francis P. Cymbala, Jr. ’82; Jeffrey Gardosh ’08; Paul K. Johnson ’92, ’07; Jeffrey M.
Lisinicchia, CPA ’90
Governors Emeriti Present: Joel Cohen ’54; Frederick Crotchfelt III ’65, ’66; Nana Goldberg DeLia ’78; Joseph
H. Wiseman, Jr. ’51, ’62
At-Large Members Present: Donna H. Mueller, Ph.D., R.D. ’65, ’70; Fred W. Ulmer, Jr., Ph.D. ’57
Invited Guests Present: Blake Bostick, President, Undergraduate Student Government Association; Jessica Snyder
’09, President, Graduate Student Association
University Staff Present: John Bernat ’10, Assistant Director, Alumni Relations; Andi Bricklin, Assistant Director,
Alumni Relations; Stephanie Cieslak, Esq. ’11, Assistant Director, Alumni Relations; Lara Geragi, Associate
Director, Alumni Relations; Cristina A. Geso, Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations; Joanne Hunt, Associate
Director, Alumni Relations; Anne Jensen ’09, Associate Director, Alumni Relations; Cindy Leesman ’83; Director,
Alumni Relations; Christine McAuliffe, Associate Director, Alumni Relations; David Ruth, Ph.D. ’05, Dean of
Students; Jeff Spence ’09, Director, Alumni Relations
Prior to the Board meeting, the Board of Governors members were invited for a tour of the URBN Center
led by Peter Bartscherer, associate dean at the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, at 5 p.m.
The Board meeting was called to order at 6:14 p.m. EST by Jeff Macaluso, chair of the Alumni
Association Board of Governors.
I. Welcome and Report from the Chair – Jeffrey T. Macaluso ’82
Jeff Macaluso welcomed the Board of Governors members and acknowledged the members
participating by teleconference, Mike Andescavage and Palak Raval-Nelson.
Jeff reported that he will be contacting several committees to discuss ways to identify and engage
potential Board members. He also reported that President Fry and Board of Trustees Chair Rich
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Greenawalt will have a more active role in selecting Board leadership, and that President Fry is
scheduled to join the Board at its February meeting.
Jeff further reported that members of the Board are asked to consider ideas to boost attendance at
the Alumni Weekend Gala, as attendance was down in 2012.
A. Recognition of the College of Nursing and Health Professions Alumni Network
Jeff reported that the College of Nursing and Health Professions Alumni Network had applied
for official recognition by the Board of Governors. The Executive Committee supports
providing the organization with a one-year provisional status with permanent, official
recognition dependent upon the organizations’ compliance with their stated activities and
bylaws.
Jeff motioned for approval of preliminary recognition of the College of Nursing and Health
Professions Alumni Network. The motion was seconded and approved without objection.
B. Drexel Athletics Sponsorship – James B. Dougherty, Jr., Esq. ’78, ’81
Jim Dougherty noted that the Board of Governors has been looking to identify ways to
increase awareness of the Alumni Association around campus, tying in to the results of the
Alumni Attitudinal Study.
He reported that the Executive Committee approved a sponsorship for Drexel Athletics, which
would increase the Alumni Association’s presence at men’s and women’s home basketball
games, engaging alumni and students. The sponsorship included a $7,500 allocation to
purchase t-shirts for a “Gold Rush” – providing gold t-shirts with the Alumni Association’s
logo to all Drexel fans at the February 7, 2013 men’s basketball game, which is a nationallytelevised
game and Alumni Night at the DAC.
An additional $3,000 was allocated for the sponsorship, which will allow the Board to draft
announcements during the sponsored games to promote the Alumni Association, its programs
and events. Also included are in-game promotions at home games, where two alumni would
be invited for a foul-shooting contest at half-time and win Alumni Association “fan packs.”
Cristina Geso noted that the first in-game promotion would be run at the November 14, 2012
women’s basketball game against St. Joseph’s University.
II. Approval of Minutes – Palak N. Raval-Nelson, Ph.D., M.P.H. ’02, ’08
Palak Raval-Nelson presented the minutes of the September 19, 2012 meeting of the Board of
Governors, which were distributed in advance of the meeting.
A motion was made to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded and approved
without objection.
III. Treasurer’s Report – Robert S. Lazzaro ’82, ’96
Rob Lazzaro highlighted the Treasurer’s Report, which was distributed in advance of the meeting.
He noted that an additional $30,500 was received as a disbursement from Liberty Mutual, but was
not yet reflected on the report.
Rob reported that a final payment of $3,450 was made to the Performance Enhancement Group for
the Alumni Attitudinal Study. No additional expenses are expected.
He also reported that the Executive Committee approved a $2,000 sponsorship of the Alumni
Holiday Turkey Project as well as the $10,500 Athletics sponsorship that Jim Dougherty had
reported on earlier. As well, the Committee had allocated $6,436.44 to the Community Service
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Committee for its CAN DU Community Playground Project. The final expenses were not yet
reflected on the report, but they totaled $5,904.58.
Rob reported normal activity in the Alumni Association Scholarship account and no activity in the
Dragon’s Inner Circle account.
A motion was made to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. The motion was seconded and
approved without objection.
IV.
Office of Alumni Relations Report – Cristina A. Geso
Cristina Geso reported that Drexel University has launched a new graphic identity program and
University Communications is currently working with all of the University’s departments to update
their graphics. She said that it is not yet clear how the new standards will affect the Alumni
Association’s logo, but that new mastheads would be designed for the alumni website and Details
e-newsletter.
Cristina further reported on the re-launch of the Alumni Travel Program, noting that alumni have
been responding well and the “National Parks and Lodges of the Old West” trip is close to selling
out.
Cristina thanked the Board for their sponsorship of the 39 th Annual Alumni Holiday Turkey Project
and thanked Tony Noce for appealing to the fraternities and sororities which have given $1,300 so
far in sponsorships. She noted that the sponsorships will allow the project to provide the same
number of turkeys this year as in 2011.
Cristina then reported that the Alumni Relations Office had to postpone a handful of events in areas
affected by Hurricane Sandy in the fall. The events will all be rescheduled for the spring.
Cristina invited the Board to attend the Alumni Volunteer Appreciation Reception, which will be
held on November 28, 2012 at Smith and Wollensky. Alumni volunteers will receive their limited
edition Year of the Dragon commemorative pins at the reception and Board members will be asked
to circulate at the event to meet the volunteers and distribute the pins.
V. Committee Reports:
A. Alumni Survey Committee – Ira M. Taffer, Ph.D. ’79, ’83
Ira Taffer reported that the Alumni Survey Committee is evaluating the data gleaned from the
Alumni Attitudinal Study and is compiling an executive summary of the results. Next, the
Committee will draft potential action items for the Board and its committees.
B. By-laws and Policy Committee – Anthony M. Noce, Jr. ’80
Tony Noce reported that the By-laws and Policy Committee will be working with the
Executive Committee to discuss issues related to officer selection and succession planning.
C. Campus Partnerships Committee – Donna J. Downes-Matreale ’82
Donna Downes-Matreale noted that the Campus Partnerships Committee had been unable to
meet prior to the Board meeting due to scheduling conflicts caused by Hurricane Sandy. She
then reported on alumni events that were held in the fall through campus partnerships with the
Goodwin College of Professional Studies, College of Engineering, LeBow College of
Business, and Westphal College of Media Arts and Design.
D. Communications and Marketing Committee – Ashley Smith Baptiste ’92 and
Catherine M. Campbell-Perna ’95, ’10
Catherine Campbell-Perna reported that the Communications and Marketing Committee has
been discussing ways to promote the Alumni Association’s LinkedIn group to alumni. The
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Committee is also discussing the Alumni Association’s logo, Global Night of Networking and
Alumni Weekend.
Catherine further reported that an article on the Alumni Association Scholarship Program
written by Susan Daroff would be submitted to The Triangle before the end of the term.
E. Community Service Committee – Jacqueline T. McClure ’87
Jackie McClure shared a video of highlights from the CAN DU Community Playground
Project, which was held on October 13, 2012 at Drexel’s Vidas Athletic Complex. She
reported that the project was successful and that the Community Service Committee had good
partners in Facilities and Athletics.
Donna Downes-Matreale noted that children from the community were playing on the finished
basketball court and play areas before the day was over.
F. Global Outreach Committee – Ira M. Taffer, Ph.D. ’79, ’83
On behalf of the Global Outreach Committee Chair, Jeff Lisinicchia, Ira Taffer reported that
the Committee is evaluating the Global Night of Networking and has reached out to other
committees to join the discussion, as well. He noted that participation only slightly increased
from the first to second Global Night of Networking events, and the Committee is open to
ideas from the Board on the program.
G. Grants Committee – John R. Phillips, CFA ’86, ’89
John Phillips reported that the Grants Committee met in the early fall to introduce the
Committee’s new members and discuss ideas for increasing awareness of the Grants Program
among the student body. Suggestions were then shared by Dave Ruth and members of the
Board of Governors, including utilizing the DrexelNOW e-newsletter and student organization
funding training. John explained that the Committee is looking at ideas and consulting with
its student members to formalize a plan.
John further explained that the number of funding proposals the Committee receives each term
varies throughout the year. Larry Lehmann noted that the Committee has faced issues with
follow up from the student organizations whose leadership changes from year-to-year, and it
was reported that the Committee has addressed those issues with more frequent
communications from the Alumni Relations Office.
John also reported that the Grants Committee will meet on November 20 to discuss the
funding proposals it received in the Fall Term.
H. Honors and Awards Committee – Jonathan S. Corle ’70
Jon Corle reported that the Honors and Awards Committee met in the fall to set its timeline
and has begun its call for Alumni Award nominations. Jon asked members of the Board to
encourage alumni they know to submit nominations. He noted that he will be posting the call
for nominations in the Alumni Association’s LinkedIn group.
I. Scholarship Committee – Susan B. Daroff ’70
Susan Daroff reported that the Scholarship Committee has begun its appeals for the Alumni
Scholarship Challenge. To date, four gifts have been received. She noted that while the
campaign is focused on young alumni, all alumni can participate, and she encouraged Board
members to support the effort.
Susan also reported that the Committee has set its timeline and begun its call for applications.
J. Student Relations Committee – Charles N. Sacco ’06
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On behalf of the Student Relations Committee Chair, Paul Johnson, Chuck Sacco reported that
the Committee is looking at ways to strengthen ties between students and alumni through
partnerships with Student Life. The Committee is also discussing ways to improve its current
programs, including Dinner with 12 Dragons, and how to use the Alumni Association’s
LinkedIn group to connect students and alumni.
Chuck also reported that he served on a panel moderated by Paul Johnson at a graduate
student and alumni event hosted on November 8, 2012 in partnership with the Graduate
Student Association.
VI.
Constituent Organization Reports:
A. Alumni Affinity Groups – Jason A. Miller ’07
Jason Miller reported that the Alumni Association has seven active, recognized affinity groups
– three of which are new – and that there are five organizations that are organizing to apply for
recognition.
Jason further reported that the organization leaders met by conference call and discussed ideas
and possible opportunities to partner with other Alumni Association events and programs.
The leaders are also working on developing a toolkit, and may be interested in partnering with
the Student Relations Committee to engage students with the alumni groups.
Jason then provided an update on activities from the various affinity groups.
B. College and School Alumni Associations – Anne Jensen ’09
On behalf of the college and school alumni associations’ constituent group representative, Jeff
Gardosh, Anne Jensen reported that the associations’ leaders are excited to welcome the
newly-recognized alumni networks from the Earle Mack School of Law and the College of
Nursing and Health Professions. The leaders are working on identifying opportunities to
partner with each other on future events and programs.
C. Geographic Alumni Clubs and Networks – Michael D. Andescavage ’06
Mike Andescavage reported that leaders of the Alumni Association’s geographic alumni clubs
and networks met and are working with the Global Outreach Committee to discuss ideas for
the Global Night of Networking. He noted that he has shared some insights from the Alumni
Attitudinal Student with the leaders and they are encouraged by the results.
VII. New Business
Jeff Macaluso called for any new business to be discussed.
Cristina Geso reported that the campaign to collect alumni life lessons during the Year of the
Dragon has been successful, with approximately 80% of authors being first time participants in
Alumni Association events and programs. However, there is a need to collect additional lessons to
finish out the year. She encouraged Board members to share their life lessons for inclusion.
Cristina also noted that users of the inCircle social networking platform have begun receiving
communications informing them that the site will close on December 31, 2012. The Alumni
Relations Office has received a few questions, which were then addressed in subsequent
communications, and Cristina asked the Board to please forward any questions they may receive so
that they may be addressed, as well.
Dave Ruth reported that he participated in two “Meet the Dean” events with young alumni in West
Chester and Washington, D.C. He said that the events were successful in reconnecting him with
young alumni and identifying volunteers. A third event in New York City has been rescheduled for
January due to Hurricane Sandy.
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Dave also noted that the students have had a great term so far, and that “Midnight Madness,” an
event hosted through partnerships between the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee
(SAFAC), the DAC Pack, the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) and
Campus Activities Board (CAB), was held in early November.
Jessica Snyder, president of the Graduate Student Association, and Blake Bostick, president of the
USGA, shared that their organizations are glad to partner with the Alumni Association and help
promote its programs, including the Grants Program, to their members.
Tony Noce noted that he had distributed business cards with information on the Archive for Greek
Life. He reported that they are accepting memorabilia donations for the archive and that the library
is working on collecting oral histories on video, as well.
Rich Blumberg reported that the fireside chat held with President Fry and SAP CEO Bill
McDermott was a great success with alumni and students who participated both in person and via
teleconference from Sacramento. A video from the event is posted on the LeBow College of
Business website.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
All members of the Alumni Board of Governors were invited for a dessert reception in the University
Club following the meeting.
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