Dear Fellow Bucknellians-
The Bucknell University Alumni Association Board of Directors (BUAA) recently returned to campus for Homecoming Weekend and our board meeting. We had an action-packed two days but the beauty of Bucknell, especially with the blanket of fall colors, was the perfect warm welcome many of us seek when we return to campus.
We officially welcomed 10 new board members and 6 new student members. And, this year was extra impactful because it was the launch of our new committee structure. Over the last year, we did a complete overhaul of the BUAA by-laws, including changing the number of committees, realigning committee work and adjusting term limits both for elected roles and board members in general. It was refreshing to see our hard work pay off as there was deep engagement and productive work accomplished.
As part of our University Update, I had the pleasure of moderating a panel discussion with Amy Badal, Dean of Students; Jermaine Truax, Director of Athletics & Recreation; and Theresa Cusimano, Director, Civic Engagement & Service Learning. It was fantastic to take a deeper dive into life on campus as it relates to athletes, student life and civic engagement. Some of the highlights included the students’ desire to find more purpose in their lives while on campus and after they leave, by living more balanced lives. The orange and blue Adirondack chairs you see on campus are a direct result of students’ desire to enjoy the outdoor beauty of campus in a relaxing and soothing way.
The Board also got a tour of Academic East. Absolutely STUNNING! If you haven’t been to campus recently, this new building is a reason to go. Academic East hosts the College of Engineering and the Department of Education. Inside there are 25 state-of-the-art laboratories including a working outdoor lab on the roof. The views from the roof will take your breath away.
We also elected the incoming BUAA Board President. Congratulations to Christine Kelleher ’91, who will officially take over as of July 1, 2020. And, at our Winter 2020 board meeting, we will be electing the other officers including First Vice President, VP Finance, VP Strategic Planning and VP Membership & Governance.
Exciting things are ahead for Bucknell, so please get involved by opening doors, volunteering, giving back, engaging and returning to the University.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns through the Be Herd initiative.
Wishing you all happy holidays and all the best for a happy and healthy new year.
‘ray Bucknell
Kimberly Wilson Wetty ‘93
President, BUAA Board of Directors