September 2008

ALUMNI NEWS

Erin Fuller '93, '94, VP of the Alumni Board and chair of the Nomination Committee

Alumni Board Seeks New Members

Want to contribute to the engagement strategy for AU’s Alumni Programs office?  Eager to help make key decisions regarding programming and outreach to your fellow Eagles?  Does the idea of someday walking in the shoes of Brian F. Keane, SPA-SOC/BA ’89, president of the AU Alumni Association, excite you?  If you answered ‘yes’ to even one of these questions, you need to apply for a position on the American University Alumni Board!

With a history of varied approaches to the board selection process, AU’s Alumni Board has adopted a new, open, and standardized application process for at-large members and began accepting applications on Monday, September 15 for the 2009-2011 term. Any graduate of AU, whether undergraduate or graduate, is encouraged to apply. The board is also accepting nominations; all nominated alumni will receive an application from the Office of Alumni Programs. Each term of office lasts two years, and each at-large member can serve up to two consecutive terms.

The board currently has a membership of seven at-large members, so the nomination committee (made up of current board members) will be considering applications for as many as eight new members, explains Erin Fuller, SPA/BA ’93, SPA/MPA ’94, VP of the Alumni Board and chair of the Nomination Committee.

Board members are charged with attending three to four meetings in D.C. per year, with the purpose of developing programmatic and outreach engagement strategies for the Alumni Programs office to implement. 

“If you have a sincere interest in dedicating some real time and effort to AU, then we want to talk with you,” says Keane.  “We need your time, your dedication, your enthusiasm, and your energy!”  Members are also expected to represent the board at AU alumni events, positively promote the university whenever possible, and financially contribute to the university at the President’s Circle level, which is $1,000 annually.  

Once the nomination committee considers all applications, it will submit a slate of nominees to the board president, who will recommend the list for approval by the entire board. Upon approval, the president will appoint the new at-large board members. The new board members will assume their responsibilities in January 2009.

Fuller says the committee will be looking for alumni who would bring diversity and leadership experience to the board. “There is so much that is exciting going on at AU…making it to the NCAA tournament, the new SIS building, incredible numbers in terms of academic standards and awards. We need alumni with the energy and vision to help our alums re-engage in our community.”  Applicants should also have previous engagement with AU and innovative ideas of fostering the growth of alumni involvement with the university. 

All applicants interested in applying are encouraged to attend the Alumni Weekend Welcome Reception and AnewAU Showcase on Friday, October 24 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. to visit with current board members and ask any questions you might have about board membership. 

Applications for the AU Alumni Board are due to the Alumni Programs office by Friday, October 31.  Please e-mail your applications and a current resume to Tara Lang, director of Alumni Programs, at tlang@american.edu; fax it to 202-885-5964 or mail to Office of Alumni Programs, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016-8002. Questions? Contact Tara Lang at 202-885-5921.

Back to newsletter