Board Notes

The William & Mary Alumni Association Board of Directors held its winter meeting Feb. 7-8, 2019, in Williamsburg in conjunction with the university’s Charter Day and Presidential Inauguration celebrations.

The full board convened on Thursday and began with the introduction of newly appointed member Alice Givens ’94. President Sue Manix ’79 called for approval of consent agenda items. Executive Director Marilyn Ward Midyette ’75 reviewed FY18 events and activities, previewed upcoming significant events and provided an update on the Alumni House Expansion.

Select committee and task force chairs presented updates on activities and actions in their respective areas. Treasurer Scott Kelsey ’06, M.Acc. ’07 presented the year-to-date financial reports, reviewed board actions on an insurance demutualization and unclaimed property matter, and apprised the board of ongoing negotiations with our credit card affinity partnership. He also reviewed minor adjustments in the Association’s investment portfolio that the committee will enact. Todd Norris ’86, P ’18 provided a brief update on the Alumni House expansion project. Howard Busbee ’65, J.D. ’67, M.L.T ’68, P ’90, P ’04, a member of the parking study task force, reviewed ongoing discussions about parking to facilitate campus demand and the expansion. Director for Development for the Alumni Association Richard Long M.Ed. ’18 brought the board up-to-date on the campaign progress, board giving performance and plans for One Tribe One Day on April 16. The members then discussed plans for the W&M Weekend in San Francisco, scheduled for Sept. 3-6, 2020.

Following lunch, the board received and discussed presentations on alumni engagement data, determining which data would be most beneficial in aiding the board ahead of its strategic planning sessions this summer. The board adjourned for the remainder of the day to participate in the Joint Boards meeting with the Board of Visitors, W&M Foundation Board and Annual Giving Board, held at the School of Education.

Reconvening on Friday morning, the board reviewed the findings from the 2016 PEG Alumni Survey. Following this discussion, George Cruser ’84 was appointed to lead a task force to examine data needs ahead of the board’s summer meeting. Communications Committee Chair AnnaMaria DeSalva ’90 presented the message map her committee and Advancement staff have developed and sought board feedback. President Sue Manix ’79 stressed the importance of board members providing their feedback on the upcoming member interest and board effectiveness surveys. She then reviewed meeting actions and tasks for members. Calling for new business and hearing none, she closed the open session of the board meeting and moved into the executive session. The meeting then adjourned at noon for all members to participate in inauguration events for President Rowe and Charter Day activities.

Significant discussion and decisions took place on the following actions:

• Approved the according of Associate Alumni status to 12 retiring faculty and staff members.
• Approved the awarding of Alumni Faculty Fellowship Awards to Assistant Professor of Physics Jozef J. Dudek,
  Assistant Professor of Economics John W. Lopresti, Assistant Professor of History Fabricio P. Prado, Assistant
  Professor of Psychological Sciences Joanna Schug and Assistant Professor of Education Meredith W. Kier.
• Appointed a data task force to examine alumni data needs and questions to facilitate strategic planning.
• Conferred Honorary Alumni status on R. Alexander Kurland.
• Approved A. Marshal Acuff ‘62, L.H.D. ’07 as Homecoming Grand Marshal for 2019.
• Approved methodology and a communications plan for allocation of insurance demutualization proceeds to
  current and former staff as dictated by health plan participation levels.
• The next regular meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for June 20-21, 2019, on campus in Blow Hall.

General Membership Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the general membership of the Alumni Association was held Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at 8:30 a.m.
in the Chesapeake Room of the Sadler Center. The president called the meeting to order and together with the executive director and treasurer presented the Alumni Association’s “Year in Review,” highlighting alumni engagement programming, priorities, funding and the Alumni House Expansion project. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m. with members invited to attend the Alumni Medallion ceremony and reception.

Nominations for WMAA Board

To nominate a qualified individual to the Alumni Association Board of Directors, please fill out the online nomination form. Nominations are accepted all year but must be received by July 1 to be considered for the next election year.