1. Thiel College
Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting
November 2, 2013
Attendees:
Chuck Goodrick, President
Norman Hasbrouck
Dawn Salter*
Damen Taylor
Michael Allen*
Alison Kuder
Marion Shoemaker
John Wotus*
Dr. Karen Ely
Bill Matthews
Kraig Smith
Dr. VanAken, Stephanie Wilson, and Michael McKinney
*WEBEX
Meeting was called to order by Chuck Goodrick at 8:30 A.M.
Opening Prayer by Stephanie Wilson
Minutes from July 27, 2013 and October 12, 2013 were reviewed and approved.
Update by the College President:
Dr. VanAken reported:
• Conducting search for Vice President for Advancement and Director of Admissions
• Hired Jacquelyn Muller as Vice President Marketing and Communications
• Freshman class: GPA is 3.27, increase in female students, total enrolled 1,100
• Facilities: Upgrades to Bly Auditorium, Roth Hall, and Trainer’s Room
• Finances: A surplus of $763,000 in fiscal year 2012-13. Excess funds will be invested
back into the institution.
• Upcoming events: Events are planned for the community and the first night football game
will take place this season.
• Capital Campaign: The Executive Summary of the National Planning Study Final Report
was presented to the Alumni Board. The next steps are: hire VP for Advancement,
decide whether or not to hire outside firm to manage the capital campaign, design
marketing and communications for 2014, 2015, and 2016 capital campaign, and select
alumni to serve as national division chairs to increase alumni participation.
Making Achievements Possible (MAP) :
• Michael McKinney, Dean of Students, reported on the MAP. The MAP is a software
application that will be used to enhance student retention. The focus will be on incoming
freshman. Data will be entered into the system creating student reports for faculty and
staff to review enabling them to address student problems. The alumni asked how they
could help on this endeavor. It was pointed out that FERPA will need to be followed
which could restrict alumni involvement.
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2. Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting November 2, 2013
Homecoming Report:
Stephanie Wilson, Director of Alumni Relations, informed the Board that there was 80%
participation by Board Members. There were 184 alumni who registered during Homecoming.
The alumni office is looking at how they can capture more names of alumni who attended
Homecoming. There were 100 attendees at the Award Ceremony and 58 finishers in the 5K.
Kraig Smith presided over the dedication of the basketball court gifted by the Class of 2013. A
number of people attended the Bly Hall dedication. Positive feedback was received from alumni
on the Homecoming activities.
Board Committee Reports
Communications Committee chaired by Dawn Salter and John Wotus: Stephanie reviewed
the “Class Agent Initiative”. The mission for class agents was revised, roles and responsibilities
for class agents were discussed, and feedback was requested from the Board Members on how
the class agents could be rewarded for their efforts. The next steps of the committee are: Letter
to current class agents, gather feedback from the class agents, recruit new class agents, and
standardize newsletter format for all classes. The expectations are to increase number of class
agents, improve communications with alumni, and increase donations. The committee expects
some agents to resist the change but will be open to all recommendations. The Board approved
the Class Agent Initiative.
Admissions Committee chaired by Alison Kuder: Alison informed the Board that the “Why
Thiel” project was completed. “Connecting Alumni to Students” (CATS) is a program to create
an alumni network to work with prospective students at college fairs and campus visits. This
initiative is on hold until new Director of Admissions is in place. The committee is working with
Student Life Committee and Dean of Student on how alumni can participate in the MAP
Program to increase student retention.
Nominating and Awards Committee chaired by Joe Nairn: Dr. Ely informed the Board that
the committee is looking for alumni who are interested in becoming a Board member. John
Wotus will complete his second term April 2014. Nominees for the annual alumni awards can
be given to members of the committee or to Stephanie Wilson. Information will be forth coming
on At Large Board Members as to their purpose and to which committees they will be assigned.
Student Life Committee chaired by Antonio Quarterman: The committee is evaluating how
social media can be used to connect high school students with Thiel College. The committee is
working with Admissions Committee and Dean of Students on the MAP program. A Student
-Alumni Networking Event is being planned for the Winter Week-End in February. All Board
Members are asked to attend this event. Further information will be forth coming from the
Alumni Office.
Career Planning Committee chaired by Chris Shinkman: Chuck Goodrick reported on the 7
initiatives being implemented by Career Development Office. The seven principle areas of
emphasis are: 1.Office Staffing and Budget, 2.Programming/Career Education,
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3. Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting November 2, 2013
3.Communication, 4.Student Advisory Board, 5. Academic Outreach, 6.Alumni Outreach, and
7.Major Upcoming Events. The committee is working with Career Development Office to
provide assistants in helping Martin Black, Director of Career Development, achieve success in
these initiatives.
Old Business:
Business Cards have been ordered for all Board Members. See Stephanie Wilson if you have not
received your Thiel Business Cards.
New Business:
Stephanie Wilson handed out a list of Upcoming Alumni Events. Events have been scheduled
for Boston, Erie, and Pittsburgh. The next student networking event will occur Friday night
during the Winter Weekend. Your participation will help to make the networking event
successful. The Winter Weekend will be held February 7, 8, and 9.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:50 P.M.
Next Board Meeting will be Saturday, February 8, 2014.
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