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.
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.
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.
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.
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.