The BUAA Board was excited to be back on campus for our Winter Meeting, Feb. 3-4, 2023.
The weekend began on Friday evening with an Executive Committee meeting followed by two events at the Campus Theatre in downtown Lewisburg: the Distinguished Ambassadors Ceremony and a panel, “Celebrating Campus and Community.” The Distinguished Ambassador Ceremony honored Bucknell senior leaders for their service and dedication to Bucknell. It was wonderful to celebrate these seniors in-person this year! The panel, co-sponsored by the Bucknell Club of the Greater Susquehanna Valley and led by BUAA Campus & Community Chair Andy Lee ‘99, included Kendy Alvarez ‘06, Mayor of Lewisburg; Ellen Ruby, Director of Lewisburg Downtown Partnership; and Lynn Pierson, Director of Bucknell’s Office of Civic Engagement. It was an honor to welcome Connie Tressler ‘62, who graciously opened the event on behalf of the Club! A reception catered by downtown restaurant Elizabeth’s Bistro was enjoyed by all, and after the evening’s events, we strolled down Market Street, taking in the ice sculptures of the Heart of Lewisburg festival.
Saturday began with breakfast and a DEI Film Discussion on “Blood on Black Wall Street: The Legacy of the Tulsa Race Massacre” led by BUAA at-large executive committee member Malik Malone ‘91. Then, Amy Baker, Director of Annual Fund Outreach & Participation, shared that the “Bucknell Gives” day – a new initiative – raised $358k from over 500 donors. Watch for the One Herd One Day 24-hour Athletics & Recreation giving challenge from 10 a.m.-10 a.m. March 28-29. Next, Nicole Whitehead, Bucknell’s new VP of Human Resources, led a cultural competence workshop where we learned to enhance our ability to understand other perspectives and recognize how to become more effective in working and living in a culture of belonging. Amy Badal, Dean of Students, shared a University update on the student experience on campus – see highlights below.
The BUAA Board Cornerstone Program Spotlights included an update from Joey Gutierrez ‘11 about the Alumni Leaders Forum events in Philadelphia and San Francisco followed by a video from this year’s BPIP (Bucknell Public Interest Program) recipients. You may recall that the BUAA Board funds four of these competitive fellowships per year to students who participate in summer non-profit or research internships. Since 2005, BPIP has provided funding to 78 students totaling $1.5 million. Then, we had the pleasure of watching a screening of the new Bucknell alumni anthem video co-created by the BUAA and University Advancement (led by BUAA member David Bayuk ‘90 P’21 ‘24). Designed to capture the Bucknell spirit that lives in all of us and drive an emotional response, the video was very well received by the Board. We’re looking forward to launching it publicly soon!
The Sophomore Brunch was, as always, an exciting event to connect with Bucknell sophomores. Lunch featured an alumni panel moderated by Phil Kim ‘12 and featuring Brooke Molinaroli ‘90 and Edward Williams ‘93 P’26, who shared their career journeys and the importance of networking. Fifty sophomores attended the event! After brunch we broke out into our committee meetings, then reconvened to hear from three students about “Learning Beyond the Classroom” moderated by BUAA Board member Abbey Daugherty ‘12.
After electing Kyle McGee ‘04 as the BUAA Board’s next president at our Homecoming meeting, elections were held for vice presidential positions at this meeting. I am thrilled to announce and am incredibly thankful to those stepping up to lead our next executive team:
- First Vice President & Secretary: Dan Weimer ‘10
- VP Membership & Governance: Annie Guarino ‘08
- VP Finance: Joey Martin ‘12
- VP Strategic Planning: Brad Brown ‘11
The full Board meeting followed the election, during which we reviewed the financial report, delivered committee reports, said farewell to our graduating student members and adjourned by singing the alma mater. Board members then enjoyed dinner and fellowship in a Sojka Pavilion suite followed by the men’s basketball game versus Army where we won 73 to 67!
Below are some highlights from the University update with Dean Amy Badal, “The Student Experience on Campus”:
- Top three issues that a dean of students faces are student well-being, belonging and high-risk behavior.
- Bucknell student well-being: Dean Badal shared that there’s been significant investment in the Counseling & Student Development Center. Students can access free, confidential therapy in-person and by telehealth — these include 10 on-site counselors available 24/7/365 and off-site telehealth counseling as an alternative to on-campus counseling.
- Residential life: Housing renovations and upgrades in the last eight years include the South Campus Apartments, the affinity houses on Strohecker Lane, Roberts, Vedder, and the replacement of the Mods (to be completed by August ‘23). Vedder is now ADA accessible with an elevator and has a new HVAC system. Next slated for renovations include Larison and Harris.
- My Voice – A Bucknell Student Experience Survey: This survey identifies primary opportunities and challenges in students’ out-of-class experience. It received a 63% response rate.
‘ray Bucknell!
Christine (Zapotoczky) Kelleher ’91, President
Bucknell University Alumni Association Board of Directors