Alumni Association Councilors, 200001
Log on to the new alumni web portalThe Alumni Association has partnered with MyPersonal.com, a leading affinity portal provider, to bring a new service to alumni: www.bananaslugs.com. Using the portal, web users may create a customized "start page" containing up-to-the-minute information they need on a daily basis. The portal, or web site, also offers e-mail, shopping, search capabilities, news and information from UC Santa Cruz, and other specialized content. Users of www.bananaslugs.com help support UCSC: A portion of all proceeds generated through portal activity is donated back to the campus. "We know our alumni are using the Internet on a daily basis and we also recognize that even though they may be interested in staying in touch with UCSC, they are often too busy to search for news about the university," said Carolyn Christopherson, executive director of the Alumni Association. "This portal is our way of offering alumni convenient access to premium online content and services as well as a way of maintaining a connection to UCSC." Alumni can log on to receive a free UCSC e-mail address, stay up-to-date on Banana Slug news, and find out about alumni events. In addition to the UCSC information, they can stay current on national, international, and financial news; search the Internet for topics, companies, and people of interest; and shop at their favorite online stores. They can personalize stock portfolio information to stay on top of their investments, bookmark their favorite sites, check the local weather, and more. All members of the campus community are welcome to visit www.bananaslugs.com to make the most of their online experience, while supporting UCSC.
Alumni directory to be publishedThe Alumni Association will publish a comprehensive biographical reference volume that will be available for distribution in 2001. The directory will list all known living alumni--alphabetically, geographically, by class year, and by professional occupation. The directory will include the full name, occupation, business and home addresses and phone numbers, and preferred e-mail address of all alumni. The geographical index will show where alumni are located and will be a useful aid in contacting former classmates when traveling. This fall, alumni will receive a biographical update questionnaire to be completed and returned to the alumni directory publisher. Individuals wishing to reserve their personal copy of the directory will be given the opportunity to purchase a softbound, hardbound, or CD edition. For the project to be successful, all alumni must complete and return these forms as soon as they receive them, whether or not they wish to purchase the directory. The directory will be made available only to UCSC alumni, and it will have a limited printing--only those directories ordered in advance will be printed. Alumni are encouraged to watch their mail for the personalized biographical update and reservation form. Alumni participation in the directory project is vital to its success. All alumni are urged to complete their personal biographical forms, fill out the order card, and return the packet to the publisher.
Your reunion: Start planning now!Alumni returned to UCSC in record numbers for April 2000 reunions. Now's the time to plan a reunion for your colleges, class, or other cohort. Contact the Alumni Association now at (800) 933-SLUG.
Scholarship fund reaches $1 million"I want to thank you for granting this award that will be a great contribution toward my dream, my goals, and my life." In writing these words in 1999, Marisol Tavera, recipient of a need-based scholarship award from the Alumni Association, echoed the sentiments of many students before and since who have received financial support from the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund (AASF). In 200001, the fund will provide 12 financially needy students with $2,500 scholarships. Sixty-seven students have already received $146,000 in scholarships since the Alumni Association launched the AASF in 1991. As of June, generous alumni had reached a goal that, in 1991, seemed lofty: raising $1 million for a permanent scholarship endowment. Now that this benchmark has been reached, the Alumni Association will have a permanent ability to support financially needy UCSC undergraduates. The Alumni Association itself has been a major donor to the AASF. In 199899 and in 19992000, the association offered $50,000 in matching funds for alumni who made new or increased donations to the endowment. Alumni responded generously, exceeding the $50,000 match both years. A great accomplishment always calls for a great party, so alumni and friends will celebrate the $1 million endowment at the association's biggest event of the year: the annual Alumni Vintners Wine Tasting. The tasting will be held on Saturday, July 29, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the courtyard of the Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center at UCSC. Wine-tasting proceeds benefit the AASF. Some 15 UCSC alumni vintners generally take part in the tasting, including David Graves (Crown '74) of Saintsbury, Randall Grahm (who attended UCSC in the early '70s) of Bonny Doon Vineyards, and Dawnine Dyer (Oakes '74) of Domaine Chandon. Guests enjoy outstanding wine, delicious hors d'oeuvres, live jazz by alumni musicians, and a panoramic view of the Monterey Bay. A silent auction offers wine, dining, overnight accommodations, and more. Discount tickets to two Shakespeare Santa Cruz plays taking place just after the wine tasting are also available. For a wine-tasting invitation, contact the Alumni Association toll-free at (800) 933-SLUG, or via e-mail at alumni@cats.ucsc.edu. To make a donation to the AASF, contact the Annual and Special Gifts Department toll-free at the same number.
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