2009

It is one of the recharging days between semesters where the campus is devoid of students yet the internal engine recovers and prepares for the next wave of minds requiring stimulation.

And what a fine day to work at this awesome place and to be able to reflect on recent events while planning future growth.

Growth, one might ask? Haven’t the economic challenges of our state necessitated reduced SDSU enrollment? Well, yes they have, but we still have 33,000 students whose minds must grow. And we still have 200,000 alumni whose minds are meeting, responding and conquering the hurdles popping up every moment a la whack a mole. Not to mention the stimulation and growth required of our own minds.

Here are some of the issues of the day from an alumni relations perspective:

• How do we properly steward the ownership of 50,000 (growing to 75,000) email addresses?
  
• What is the ideal blend of university perspective versus reporting balance in our communications?
  
• How often do we feature athletics versus everything else going on in the university?
  
• How can we best encourage our constituents (alums) to utilize the wildly popular social and professional networking sites like Facebook, and Linked-in to spread the word about San Diego State events, programs, lectures, entertainment and activities?
  
• In an era of declining annual membership (and surging lifetime membership) how do we finance our quest for greater engagement?
  
• How do we utilize our sprouting Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center to encourage more alums to visit our campus?
  
• In short, how do we best harness the practical, creative, and generous energies of our alumni to better this institution?

I am certain 2009 will reveal some extraordinary advancement.