Four years at Denison stays in one’s cells. College life may end upon graduation, but as students become alumni they enter into a new relationship with their alma mater. The Denison Affinity Groups, per Alumni Council by-laws, are “special-interest associations whose purposes are consistent with the Alumni Society.” Each group represents a population of approximately one percent of Denison’s 30,000 alumni. They each have a corresponding student organization and members actively interact with their student counterparts as well as fellow alums, offering life advice and social and career networking. But it doesn’t end with these four groups. Any organization that meets these criteria can apply for formal alumni association status. “Members of these important and historical alumni groups serve as models on how to be involved and active alumni,” says Alumni Affairs Director Sandy Peeler Ellinger ’65. “They also help keep our youngest alums connected to, and interested in, their university.”
ALUMNI INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL
Members of the Alumni Interfraternity Council recognize the value graduates can bring to today’s Greek organizations, and are searching for ways to increase their involvement within their own chapters as well as across the Greek system. As current chair of the AIFC and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Denison’s Alumni Society Council, Tony Brice ’82 says that one of the things he loves about Denison is its successful efforts to look to alumni as a source for career development and as resources to help students become better leaders on campus. “Why not plug into them as a resource for Greek life?” he says. Brice is working to expand membership and perhaps to guide its evolution into a group that involves Panhellenic, IFC, and NPHC alumni. In so doing, he hopes to get more students and alumni working to strengthen and support today’s chapters. For more information on AIFC, contact Tony Brice at tony.brice@towersperrin.com.
BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
With energy and heart, Charles Thompson ’74 formed the Black Alumni Association (BAA) in an effort to maintain contact with black alumni as well as to inform alumni of issues affecting the Denison community, including recruitment, retention, and placement of students, faculty, and administrators. BAA publishes newsletters and communicates through an email list-serve as means of sharing news and ideas with alumni, students, faculty, and administrators. The organization also created and is responsible for the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund, established to help eligible black students at Denison. In addition to other events during the year, the BAA will hold their next reunion in Granville and Columbus during Homecoming weekend, October 17-18, 2008. For more information about BAA, contact Vincent Vaughters ’77 at vcvaughter@aol.com.
GAY, LESBIAN, AND BISEXUAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1988, the Denison Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Alumni Association (GLBAA) was established to actively support Denison students, faculty, and staff by creating a safe and productive community that affirms diversity and includes people of every sexual orientation. GLBAA’s eight-member steering committee plans events and addresses campus matters related to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. The organization’s membership includes alumni from all years, and it always welcomes new members and friends. Confidentiality is assured, if desired. Since its inception, GLBAA members have returned to campus to speak on college panels on being gay and “out” (or not) at Denison, and also about their lives and careers after graduation. GLBAA meets annually at Homecoming (this year, October 17-18), and also hosts other events during the year. To join the mailing list or to submit an article to the GLBAA newsletter, contact Rick Carson ’65 at VoicesSwell@aol.com. You can also contact Tom King ’69 at Thomas.King.69@denison.edu or Valerie Mockus ’94 at Valerie@apple314.com.
VARSITY D ASSOCIATION
It’s no secret that Denison produces athletes and fans who have intense team devotion. In this same spirit, the Varsity D Association (VDA) was established to promote continued interest in Denison University athletics. In accordance with Denison, conference, and NCAA guidelines, VDA helps promote and maintain the Denison University Hall of Fame, promote and publicize the university’s athletic programs, and generally enhance the quality of Denison athletics through the support of the athletic departments staff. For information, contact Cathy Harvey in the Athletics Department at harvey@ denison.edu.