Notes from Under the Oaks | July 2015
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a new alumni communication strategy, the boring details of which I won’t share.* While pondering some big ideas, I took a moment to jot down a few notes about why we communicate with alumni. One of my notes gave me pause— “to report on investment.” Of course, all of our communication is meant to provide a report on your investment, but I’m not sure we say so often enough.
Every former student of Pacific University is deeply invested in this place. You invested not only through your tuition, but through the energy you expended as a student and since. You are part of this place. It was your time here that helped us grow to the place we are today. Thank you for all that you have done to support Pacific in 2015 as we strive to be an even stronger center of academic excellence.
I am pleased to formally report to you, our investors, Pacific is doing well! We are better and stronger now than we have ever been.
I’ve always found it both odd and wonderful that the value of my degree is based largely on the current students. The smarter they are and the more rigorous their academic experience, the better. I’m pleased to say enrollment for this fall is incredibly strong. I look forward to welcoming more than 1,000 new students on behalf of the alumni association over the next few months.
Several crews have been hard at work this summer improving our existing facilities. While our Hillsboro Campus is enjoying relative quiet after last year’s renovations, Forest Grove is buzzing with activity. Two of the largest projects include changes to Pacific Hall and to our science buildings. Pacific Hall is also known as both the “new library” and the “old library” depending on when you graduated. Scott will gain a new elevator as well as restrooms on the second floor in addition to other upgrades. The science buildings are undergoing some big changes to enlarge science labs to accommodate all the additional students we are expecting this year.
These are just two of a whole slew of projects designed to ensure all of our buildings on all campuses look good and function as effectively as they did the day they were built while adapting to contemporary needs.
Of course, the success of a university is based on far more than students and buildings, but it is harder to report some of the other measures of our success. I can say with absolutely certainty that I’ve never seen a time when enthusiasm was greater than it is now. One way of measuring that sense of spirit is to share that 60 percent of employees made a donation to Pacific last year. Isn’t that an incredible number? I am deeply proud and pleased to work among colleagues who share my passion for this great place. I am delighted to inform you, our investors, that Pacific is in great hands.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our amazing alumni who continue to make Pacific a vibrant and wonderful community through all you do. Whether you’re shooting to the top of your company with Pacific proudly printed on your resume or simply wearing a Pacific sweatshirt while sharing tide pool trivia with fellow tourists, you’re making Pacific a stronger place.**
All of this said, I hope you continue to invest in Pacific for years to come. You can build on your initial investment in many ways – come visit and share news with your friends, attend an event, volunteer at Homecoming, offer to speak to in a class, recommend Pacific to a person considering colleges or graduate schools, donate to a fund that has meaning for you, or simply call us and tell us how you’re doing.
Again, thank you for all you do. Please keep in touch.
Best wishes,
Martha Calus-McLain ‘03
Director of Alumni Relations
*If you’re the kind of person who gets excited about communication strategies and would like to know more – send me an email or give me a call. Also if you have thoughts or ideas on how we can enhance alumni communication, send them my way!
**This actually happened. My husband had the chance to impress some fellow beachcombers with his knowledge of starfish acquired in a Winter III marine biology class. And of course he was wearing what our daughters call his “go Boxers sweatshirt.”