Message from the Alumni Association President

Welcome to the Alumni Association!

Dear UAlbany Student,

As president of the Alumni Association, it's my great pleasure to welcome you into the University at Albany Alumni Association, which is the UAlbany community of students, alumni, faculty and friends. We hope to get to know you over the next few years as you take advantage of the programs and services offered by the Association.

The University at Albany is an internationally recognized public research institution that brings The WorldWithin Reach, with a rich history and a strong alumni constituency. Founded over 150 years ago, the University at Albany - your University - was the first public institution of higher education in New York. Today, student achievement, faculty excellence and the breakthroughs of University researchers make your University one of the strongest public universities in the nation. Strategically located in the capital region, you will benefit from the University's proximity to the heart of New York State government and the excitement and growth that is taking place throughout Tech Valley. The variedperspectives and life experiences of a student body and faculty which represent more than 100 nations provide a diversity that enriches learning at UAlbany.

A great university experience doesn't just happen. You make it happen by taking advantage of the many opportunities available to you both on and off campus. This includes taking advantage of the programs, activities and events made possible by the Alumni Association. The Association has been working over the last several years to greatly expand our outreach to students in order to significantly enhance your campus experience.

When you arrive at UAlbany this fall, I want to make sure you are aware of the numerous Alumni Association programs and services available to you. I also want you to know that all students are considered members of the Alumni Association, the benefits of which will follow you long after you've graduated. Since 1849, the University at Albany Alumni Association and its predecessors have been keeping alumni connected - to each other and to their alma mater. The UAlbany community extends well beyond the campus, with alumni in every state and more than 115 countries, many of whom continue to be engaged in the life of the University and to contribute to its successes.

The UAlbany Alumni Association is committed to creating connections between students and alumni. Our goal is to offer services and programs that prepare you for success when you graduate. These include our network of alumni volunteers around the globe, which you can access as a student and after you graduate. You also can apply for one of the Alumni Association scholarships or perhaps sign up for Dinner with A Dozen Danes. The Dinner program connects current students with alumni and adds a personal touch to the UAlbany student experience. Alumni host students for small dinner parties (lunch or breakfast works, too), bringing Great Danes together in a warm, friendly environment for good food, advice and camaraderie.

You also can apply to become a Purple & Gold Student Ambassador, a group that represents UAlbany at high-profile functions. Purple & Gold members serve as ambassadors for UAlbany and represent the University to its constituencies: alumni, University guests, the campus and the community.

The Association's events are built around a variety of University academic, cultural and athletic activities. By attending them, you will be able to meet alumni, build your professional network and grow your school spirit. Your presence at a visiting alum's lecture, poetry reading or career workshop will help augment your University experience. You also shouldn't miss some of the major special events, including Homecoming in the fall, the Big Purple Growl in the winter and Spring Stomp in the spring. Our career workshops on resume writing, interviewing and networking, as well as our job fairs, have proven particularly useful as they prepare participants for their careers.

Your membership in the Association also provides you with discounts, benefits and services. The Association offers graduate school LSAT, GRE and GMAT test prep classes to students for less than half the price of other national test prep courses. You also can receive discounts of up to 40 percent from national car rental companies, more than a dozen national and international hotel chains, movie theatres, theme parks, hotels, ski resorts, Broadway theatre, sporting events, family events, online shopping and more!

Whether it's through our LinkedIn page, Facebook group, or our own internal AlumNet database, I encourage you to use our online social and professional networks to connect with your fellow Alumni Association
members. UAlbany alumni can provide valuable connections and information on job search strategies, specific companies, industry trends and professional organizations. You also will gain access to the alumni volunteer mentoring program. These are just a few examples of what is available to you. But suffice it to say, make a connection - you never know when it will pay off!

This global network of more than 145,000 alumni is made available in large part through the Student-Alumni Partnership fund which is paid each semester as part of your semester tuition and fees. Students who do not wish to support the partnership may opt out. However, this collaboration fosters a mutually beneficial relationship between the students, University and its alumni and perpetuates a sense of pride in and commitment to the outstanding qualities of the University. We look forward to our continued partnership which begins your first day on campus through graduation and beyond. Together, we will promote a positive image of the University, its students and alumni through communication, service and leadership.

On behalf the University at Albany Alumni Association, it is a pleasure and a privilege to welcome you into the University at Albany alumni community. We look forward to seeing you on campus and offer you nothing but best wishes in the semester ahead.

With warm regards and yours in UAlbany,

William J. McCann Jr., Esq. '86, '87
President

P.S. When you have a chance, stop by Alumni House for a cup of coffee and to find out how you can Make UAlbany Stronger!

Wow Statements!

In the spring magazine we shared some words of wisdom...Begin, Invest, Balance. We asked alumni to submit their W.O.W.s too and here are some great submissions....
What words of wisdom can you share with your fellow alumni on Facebook?

#1 WOW Statement

Here are my Words of Wisdom (taken from Albert E.N.Gray): "The common denominator of success --- the secret of success of every man/woman who has ever been successful --- lies in the fact that he/she formed the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do."

#3 WOW Statement

Here are some words that serve as a daily reminder of my life's journey: love, gratitude, resilience, generosity of spirit, dare to dream, create a vision and action plan, move beyond the fear and put your plan into action with a smile on your face and hope and love in your heart.

Submitted by: Carmen M. Pena '95

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#4 WOW Statement

"See the glory in the grind."  Life can seem so mundane and uneventful when you can't see the big picture. This one is useful after you've just left work late and didn't eat lunch, but finished every task on your checklist! "Plan your work and work your plan." The worst thing possible is to know that something is coming up and your not prepared.  You automatically give yourself a lower chance of succeeding. Of course, everything can't be planned for; but it's important that you control the controllables' in order to have sustained success.  Lastly, "Count it all joy."  You can't beat yourself up about everything. At the end of the day, maybe your not so lucky moments are the best thing that could've happened to you.