The summer meeting of the William & Mary Alumni Association Board of Directors was held at Blow Memorial Hall in Williamsburg, June 20-21, 2019.
The full board convened on Thursday, June 20, and began with an introduction of new members and approval of consent agenda items, followed by a meeting overview by President Susan P. Manix ’79.
Executive Director Marilyn Ward Midyette ’75 briefed the board on recent activities and events:
- The inaugural Professionals Week, part of our expanding career program offerings, engaged more than 850 participants nationwide
- The Association-sponsored Alumni Induction Ceremony welcomed over 2,000 new alumni as part of the main Commencement ceremony at Zable Stadium
- The highly successful One Tribe One Day, which saw over 13,000 participants and $2.5 million in donations
- The revitalization of our veterans affinity group, the Association of 1775
- Traditions Weekend, which gathered more than 500 participants from the 50th Reunion class, Olde Guarde and Boyle Society
The board then deliberated on nominations for the Alumni Medallion and approved bestowing the award on Frances C. Engoron ’70, William C. Mims ’79, P ’16 and Peter M. Nance ’66.
The board reviewed nominations and approved the Douglas N. Morton ’62 Alumni Service awards for Christina Bianchi ’09, Jessica Chillin-Hernández ’12, Ben DeMaria ’05, Thomas Johnson ’92 and Sherri Phillips ’83, P ’14, P ’16.
Building committee member Todd Norris ’86, P ’18, P ’19, P ’22 updated the board on the Alumni House expansion project. Director of Development Richard Long M.Ed. ’18 provided an update on campaign fundraising for alumni engage- ment, and staff members Katie Lowe and Kelly Holdcraft provided an overview of the planning for W&M Weekend in San Francisco, scheduled for Sept. 3-6, 2020. In addition, Treasurer Scott Kelsey ’06, M.Acc. ’07 reviewed FY19 budget performance, year-end forecast and investment performance report and presented the FY20 annual budget for approval.
The board spent significant time, both Thursday and Friday, on strategic planning sessions facilitated by board member Dennis Liberson ’78. During a deliberate planning process around alumni engagement and the WMAA’s role, the board identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, cited possible strategies to address these areas, and began prioritization of possible strategies. The planning process will continue through the next meeting in September.
The board also:
- Approved a Faculty/Staff Service Award for Dr. Sara Bon Harper, executive director, James Monroe’s Highland
- Approved the Coach of the Year Award for Field Hockey Coach Therese “Tess” Ellis
- Reviewed and approved administrative changes to the Alumni Association bylaws, adjusting
language for currency, accuracy and eliminating areas that are no longer in effect - Approved changes to the Alumni Medallion Policy that clarifies policy verbiage and intent
in relation to award eligibility by members of university boards - Reviewed and approved a $1.33M operating budget for FY20
- Elected officers for FY20
This year, Carla S. Moreland ’81, J.D. ’84 will begin her two-year term as president of the board. Gerald A. ‘Jeb’ Jeutter ’82 will be vice president, Tina Reynolds Kenny ’92 will serve as secretary and George E. Cruser ’84 will serve as treasurer. New board members recognized at this meeting include Fred Palmore ’67, P ’02, Chase Jordan ’15, incoming chair of the Young Guarde, and Carol Evans ’64, incoming chair of the Olde Guarde. Outgoing board members recognized and thanked for their service were Sophie Lee ’90, Mark Linaugh ’84 and Anna Mahalak ’12, outgoing chair of the Young Guarde.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Directors is Sept. 18-21, 2019, in Williamsburg.