The BUAA Board was thrilled to be back on campus for Bucknell’s Homecoming Weekend and fall meeting Sept. 30 – Oct. 1. We are especially excited to announce and welcome our newest members:
Alumni
- Katie DeBonville ’95 – Massachusetts
- Lena (Salaam) Elguindi ’94 – Pennsylvania
- Lois Gregory ’13 – New York
- Jen Lassen ’15 – Pennsylvania
- Jane Molinari ’86 – Massachusetts
- Ashley Pena ’19 – California
- Wes Pyron ’12 – Washington DC
Students
- Izzy Botko ‘24
- Lily Implicito ’24
- Vivian Kuang ‘25
- Cassidy Pingree ‘25
The weekend began on Thursday, Sept. 29, with a lunch for the new student members, followed by the Executive Committee meeting and a new alumni member orientation. For the third time, the Board in partnership with the Center for Career Advancement hosted the very popular etiquette dinner, “Wine, Dine & Act Fine!,” for juniors and seniors. The evening wrapped with a BUAA Board social at the Observatory. We met Ned Ladd, Professor of Physics, and physics and astronomy students who showed us how to view Saturn and Jupiter through three telescopes. We learned that the largest telescope was a gift from William Bucknell in 1887!
Friday morning began with an Executive Committee new member breakfast; an all-board re-orientation, during which we reviewed our commitments as board members and the code of conduct; and a leadership workshop. Our first university update, with Scott Rosevear, VP of Advancement, and Melissa Diehl, Gift Planning Director, was about the upcoming comprehensive campaign. Creating an intentional role for the BUAA Board in the next campaign is our top priority for 2020-23. The update was followed by lunch with student mentees who participated in the summer mentorship program. In the afternoon, we received a university update about academics and the student experience from Provost Elisabeth Mermann-Jozwiak, attended committee meetings joined by representatives from University Advancement, and took our annual board snap (see below). In the evening, we toured the Bucknell Humanities Center with Professor John Penniman, chose wines to be served at Reunion, and finished the evening with the ever-popular Trivia Night!
Saturday we elected a new BUAA Board President for 2023-26. Kyle McGee ‘04 will be the BUAA Board’s next President, effective July 1, 2023. Kyle is the current First Vice President and former Vice President of Membership & Governance. The full Board meeting followed the election, during which we reviewed our accomplishments, approved our budget, revised our by-laws, delivered committee reports and adjourned by singing the alma mater. Board members then enjoyed Bucknell Homecoming events, including the tailgate and the Bucknell vs. Lafayette football game.
Below are some highlights from the University updates:
Comprehensive Campaign Conversation
Scott Rosevear, VP of Advancement, and Melissa Diehl, Director, Gift Planning
- The Bucknell Engineering Alumni Association Board joined us as we learned more about the comprehensive campaign.
- The University is currently in the quiet or “planning” phase and fine-tuning priorities over the next 24 months. Campaigns typically go public when 50-70% of the goal has been secured.
- The average campaign is 9.5 years; Bucknell is targeting 7-9 years.
- Melissa shared the various options for individuals to donate.
Academics and the Student Experience
Provost Elisabeth Mermann-Jozwiak
- We learned that broadening access is a major piece of the University’s strategic plan; then how are students succeeding and thriving once they’re on campus.
- DEI faculty programs include cluster hires and postdoctoral tenure track programs. Cluster hires began last year where jobs are advertised jointly and the cohort of faculty is interested in certain themes.
- The Provost office is funding projects for interdisciplinary collaborations focusing on 3 pathways – data analytics, population health, and entrepreneurship.
- Over 11,500 students applied to Bucknell – 1,000 more than previous years. This may be due in part because Bucknell stayed open during the pandemic.
- International students make up 4% of the student population, up from 3.5% last year.
‘ray Bucknell!
Christine (Zapotoczky) Kelleher ’91, President
Bucknell University Alumni Association Board of Directors
