‘Stepping Up Our Game’ for Our Alumni
Written by Doug Goodnough
OK, I have a confession to make: Sometimes I have a hard time keeping up with everything happening at Hillsdale College.
As someone who has spent most of his adult professional life working on deadlines, first as a journalist and then in higher education marketing, I take pride in being able to stay on top of what’s happening around me.
Hillsdale College challenges that at times. And if “Strength Rejoices in the Challenge,” then I am rejoicing on a daily basis.
If you haven’t noticed, the Alumni Office and the Alumni Association Board have made a concerted effort to “step up our game” when it comes to events, outreach, and engagement. Whether it is an ambitious slate of Alumni National Tour events, on-campus events like Homecoming and White & Blue Weekend, to the recent re-establishment of regional chapters and occupational affinity groups, we are hustling to keep our alumni informed and engaged. And trust me, more is on the way. Much more.
Saying that, the driving force behind our efforts is our executive director, Colleen McGinness. She has had to wear many hats during her professional career at Hillsdale. But I think the one she is wearing now in her role of leading the Alumni Office fits her best. Colleen is a tenacious and fierce advocate on behalf of our alumni. The College is fortunate to have her leading the alumni charge.
Speaking of charge, we are charging ahead with Homecoming later this month. And we have added the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet to the menu, which hopefully will be a Homecoming mainstay for years to come. We also get to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Phi Sig Pavilion, which promises to bring a new community gathering space to campus. So get back to the ’Dale on September 22-23. Let us know you’re coming and we’ll even toss you a special Homecoming T-shirt!
Finally, we recently welcomed a bumper crop of new Alumni Board members to the fold. One, Trip Banks, ’76, is featured in the September edition of the White & Blue email newsletter. The longtime salesman’s idea of helping our 15,000-plus alumni base “sell” the College to others is one worth pursuing.
As ambitious as the Alumni Office and the Alumni Association Board are in getting the word out about Hillsdale, we can only do so much. Are you ready to “sell” Hillsdale to your fellow classmates, family, and friends? It can be as easy as wearing Chargers gear, sharing an issue of Imprimis, posting about Hillsdale on social media, or inviting someone to a College event in your area.
And if you need help, just say the word. We’ll slow down long enough to lend a hand.
Doug Goodnough, ’90, is Hillsdale’s director of Alumni Marketing. He enjoys connecting with fellow alumni in new and wonderful ways.
Published in August 2023