Colorado Mesa University

The Maverick : Fall 2018

The Maverick magazine is a great way to stay in touch with current events at your alma mater, old classmates and the bright future of Colorado Mesa University.

Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1039952

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 23 of 35

22 THE NEXT CHAPTER Alumni Association now has eight chapters across the country keeping Mavericks connected By Cloie Sandlin G raduation can be bittersweet. There are many joys associated with embarking on life's next chapter but leaving college often makes maintaining connections with close friends and esteemed teachers challenging if not impossible. While distance and varying life paths might keep alumni apart, the Alumni Association and its dedicated members are finding ways to keep all Mavericks connected. There are now eight alumni chapters across the country to help keep Mavericks connected through networking and events, all while spreading the good word about CMU. The chapters, which have grown alongside the university and its 40,000 alumni, are either geographically- or affinity-based — popping up in areas with sufficient alumni presence and interest. "We think there's a lot to gain once you gather people for that same reason — they know Mesa, they come from the same school," said Director of Alumni Relations Jared Meier. "Alumni chapters are purposeful for both sides. The stronger the alumni base the better perception people have of the university and the more potential students may consider the university." Chapters in the Grand Valley, Denver, Colorado Springs and southern California give alumni living in those areas an opportunity to reconnect and represent the university at games, networking events, tailgates, barbecues and other occasions. Denver Chapter President Dennis Ferris, '74, has watched the chapter grow exponentially both in membership and activities during the six years he has been involved. "We have four major events during the year and we've gone from 20 or 30 people showing up to three or four hundred," he said. "Last year, we had 60 or 70 tickets sold to Mavs at the Rockies. This year, we sold 140. President (Tim) Foster was blown away with what we were able to do." Denver-area alumni are showing up to support CMU teams at rival stadiums, greet incoming freshmen and their families with back-to-school barbecues and come together for camaraderie at larger sporting events such as Mavs at the Rockies and Mavs at the Avs. Ferris credits the chapter's explosive growth to a more active board and increased social media presence. "We want to get people engaged on this side of the mountains," Ferris said. "We'd like to grow chapter events and get to a point where we can run a few fundraisers and give away scholarships." To connect with an alumni chapter, learn how you can get involved or find out how to get your alumni member card, visit SupportingCMU.org or call the Alumni Association at 970.248.1525. GEOGRAPHICALLY-BASED ALUMNI CHAPTERS • Grand Valley • Denver • Colorado Springs • Southern California • COMING SOON: · Fort Collins · Hawaii "We have four major events during the year and we've gone from 20 or 30 people showing up to three or four hundred." — Denver Chapter President Dennis Ferris

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

view archives of Colorado Mesa University - The Maverick : Fall 2018