Some days I wish that I could go back and do it all again. I remember the friends, teachers and coaches that made my time in school so special. I am reminded of the relationships that I enjoyed with the teams I competed with and the student groups that I planned activities with. I recall the excitement of traditions, whether it be Friday night basketball games or homecoming dances. Most days I’m just thankful for where it got me. Showing my gratitude to my alma mater can and should be easy. We want our alumni to know we cherish their memories and contributions to our school for so many reasons.
To honor our past
Alumni reunions and homecoming receptions are wonderful opportunities for folks to reconnect and reminisce. To our benefit, hearing the history of our school and the stories of days past, reaffirms our belief that many things have stayed the same. We learn that our culture of developing the talents of individual students has withstood the physical changes that our school has experienced.
To promote the school
Wherever you go, your experiences go with you. Although alumni may not always be wearing their school T-shirt, their school pride shines through in all that they do. Families see the affinity that our alumni have for their alma mater. It’s a place and a community that people want to be a part of and can lead friends and co-workers to consider a school that they may not have considered before.
To inspire our students
When current students hear the stories of alumni who return to campus for our third-grade history project or to share their experience at an upper school assembly, our students begin to see where their future may lead. They learn that the foundation that they are building academically and socially can lead to opportunities that they may not have begun to imagine.
To prepare us for the future
Alumni volunteerism and feedback mean so much because alumni understand the culture and history of our institution. As we take steps to setting our next goal and defining our next milestone, we rely on experiences and expertise that only those who have walked here before could share.
We want our alumni to return to campus early and often
Our school values keeping a strong connection with our alumni. We aim to develop opportunities for all of our graduates to share their experiences with us as we strive to provide the same foundation for future generations. If you have a Sanford story you would like to share, please email the Director of Development Janice Payne at paynej@sanfordschool.org.
Amy Shirley is the former Assistant Director of Development at Sanford School in Hockessin, Delaware.
