Alumni Ambassadors Look to Future, Remember the Past

Standing, l-r: Katarina Cunningham ’13; Eckerd College Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Suzan Harrison '78; Tony Calandra ’07; Heather Penrod’13; Tami Toms ’16; Alma Oline ’07; Dick Pierce, ASPEC member; Claire Yogman ’92; Debbi Piner ’03; Peggy Albury ’13; Donna Littell ’75; Bob Albury ’09; Connie Boyle ’98; Claudia Smith ’13; Patricia Brown ’94; Todd DeLozier ’09; Eileen O’Hara ’99; Rick Smith ‘99; Laurie Giboney ’14; Barbara Gaw ’14; Chrissy Jackson ’16; Frank DiCicco ’14; Justine Sanford, Eckerd College Executive Director of Constituent Relations; Cal Brown ’16. Kneeling, l-r: Matt DiPalma ’17; Maggie Romigh ’00; Steve Powell ’16; PEL Executive Director Amanda Hagood Not pictured: Trustee Emerita Mary Miller '97; Christine Melecci '01; Regina Knight ’10    (Photo by Cal Brown '16)

by Amanda Hagood

About 30 PEL alumni and guests gathered in the Triton Room near the main Cafeteria on Saturday, September 17, to enjoy brunch and to discuss plans for the 2016-2017 year. In the wake of the announcement the previous week that PEL would be phasing out during the year, alumni also considered ways in which they might keep their connections to one another strong and continue to be an integral part of the life of the College.

Alumni Ambassadors, working together with PEL and the Office of Advancement, will sponsor present four main events during the coming year:

• November 2, 2016: "Redefining Entrepreneurship" lecture with author Gary Schoeniger. Part of the Fall College Presidential Series, the lecture begins at 7 p.m. in Fox Hall, with a book signing afterward. From 4:30-5:30 p.m. PEL students and alumni are invited to a special coffee hour chat with Schoeniger in the James Center atrium.
• January 14, 2017: Writers in Paradise Pre-Conference Alumni Gathering
• March 11, 2017: PEL Reception at Alumni Weekend
• May 20-21, 2017: Graduation Festivities

Heartfelt and inspiring stories shared

More than a few heartfelt and inspiring stories were shared during the morning.

"Usually when people introduce themselves at an alumni event, they say their name and what year they graduated," said Donna Littell, PEL's alumni coordinator. "This time, without exception, everyone shared stories of ways that PEL had impacted their lives and careers."

Eileen O'Hara '99 recalled traveling with her soon-to-be husband Rick '99, whom she had earlier met in a PEL psychology course, on Professor Molly Ransbury's PEL Summer Tour to Greece and Italy, which she remembered as "an incredible cultural experience." She and Rick were married in July of 1997 in Wireman Chapel.

Regina Knight '10 reflected on the value of her Eckerd degree, joking that it was like an American Express card: a mark of extraordinary worth that distinguishes the bearer in any situation, especially in the eyes of local employers.

Heather Penrod '13 recalled driving past Eckerd's front gate as a teenager, dreaming of what it would be like be a student there, but knowing that full-time college wasn't an option for her at that time. Twenty years later, she found herself walking across the stage under the big white tent.

PEL alumni listen at the brunch.        Photo by Donna Littell '75

"I am very proud of my journey," Penrod recalled, "even though it was a long one."

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Suzan Harrison also recognized among the alumni former students from the American Studies and literature courses she had taught in PEL's early days.

A difficult decision; new opportunities

Harrison cited low enrollments in PEL in recent years and the marked shift among adult learners toward a preference for online courses and programs as among the reasons the difficult decision was made to phase out the PEL program. Alumni posed thoughtful questions about the various enrollment-building strategies employed in recent years, and encouraged the College to look to future opportunities for serving adult learners. Trustee Emerita Mary E. Miller '97 voiced her hope that members of PEL's alumni will continue to stay connected to one another and to the College. All present expressed the sentiment that the Eckerd College experience was truly meaningful, positive, and life transforming.   

ASPEC member Dick Pierce talks about the entrepreneur interest group. Photo by Donna Littell '75

Justine Sanford, Executive Director of Constituent Relations, discussed the College's strategic map for the future of alumni engagement, comprised of four key ways for alumni to engage: Philanthropy, Leadership, Advocacy, and Networking (PLAN). The PLAN calls for philanthropists to give their time, talent, and treasure; leaders to raise their hands and get involved; advocates to bring life to the Eckerd story by sharing personal experience; and help in strengthening the College's vibrant local and global network for current and future alumni. 

Sanford explained that Eckerd alumni contribute to the College in many ways, from recruitment efforts to volunteering to helping create internship and career development opportunities. Some alumni chose to develop affinity groups, which meet regularly under their own direction, largely in connection with Reunion Weekend efforts. 

Chrissy Jackson '16 and Dick Pierce, representing the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College (ASPEC) described this membership-based organization. As Jackson explained, ASPEC features 40 different interest groups, regularly hosts public events on campus, and offers members the opportunity to participate as discussant colleagues in Eckerd classes, along with several other intergenerational learning initiatives. 

Pierce, representing the ASPEC interest group focused on Entrepreneurship, went on to describe his group's work in bringing Ice House Entrepreneurship training to residents of South St. Pete, and invited PEL alumni to join in. Current students are already benefiting from this cutting-edge training thanks to Professor James Welch's course "Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset," which is built on Ice House lessons. This course will also be offered through the residential program in Spring 2017.

Peggy Albury '13 spoke to her experience with Eckerd's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which offers non-credit classes, interest groups, and numerous local and national field trips for individuals 50 years and older on an à la carte or membership basis. Albury described the popular Supreme Court and Constitutional Law class she recently took, which focuses on cases currently before the Supreme Court and helps students understand the larger history and context at issue. For Albury, it is not only the classes themselves, but the chance to continue interacting with other learners that provides a benefit.

Looking to the future of the Alumni Ambassador program, Claudia Smith '13 pointed out the important role that PEL alumni might play in preparing Eckerd students for career readiness and in helping to create internship and job opportunities. With over 5,000 alumni, many of them living in the Tampa Bay Area, PEL graduates represent a vital link between the College and its community--and can continue to do so for years to come.

The meeting closed with many words of thanks and fond farewells. Alumni were encouraged to stay tuned for updates about this year's events, to share questions or ideas for future alumni activities with Jessica Fugate, Director of Alumni Engagement, at fugatejb@eckerd.edu. 

Amanda Hagood is PEL's Executive Director and is co-editor of The PEL Connector.