We've been listening

We hear from many of our alumni each year, and over the past few years, a pattern has emerged — a pattern of interests, concerns, desires, needs. Well, we’ve listened to those patterns and re-created the Kettering College of Medical Arts Alumni Association. We think you’ll be happy because it’s for you, formed by ideas from you. We’ve even created a new tagline, Connecting for Life, to illustrate our commitment to serving our graduates throughout their lives. Following are some of the new ideas and directions we are headed. Thanks for your input. Now we can’t wait to connect with you.

	RELEVANT SOCIAL EVENTS: You’re busy. You want to reconnect with fellow classmates and instructors, but you have to prioritize. We’re planning relevant social activities: CEU opportunities with fun thrown in; family events so you don’t need a babysitter; continued workplace gatherings; and arts and entertainment events with your KCMA friends.
	MORE DEPARTMENTAL EVENTS: Yes, you are proud of your class year, but you’d love to get together with other program classmates. Now we’ll offer you opportunities to reconnect and network with program classmates, like the nursing conference in May and the upcoming respiratory and ultrasound events scheduled for fall 2008. Watch for other events in 2009 and spring 2010.
	LARGER NUMBERS AT ALUMNI WEEKEND: Many of you travel a long way for Alumni Weekend. We want to make sure it’s worth your efforts, so we are going to hold Alumni Weekend on a rotating basis. The next one will be in the fall of 2010. If you would like a large turnout from your class year, start planning now. You can start by calling the alumni office to get a class list and making a few phone calls now.
	OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT WITH LESS COMMITMENT: So you want to be an active participant in the Alumni Association, but you didn’t want to commit three years to serving on the board of directors. Now you can make a difference by serving on the alumni advisory council with a one-year commitment and as few as three meetings during the year. Contact Cheryl in the alumni relations office.
	WAYS TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH GRADUATES: How about a secure online community just for Kettering College alumni and former and present faculty and staff? You will be able to share news, search for jobs and stay in touch in a simple and safe way. Look for more details in your mailbox later this year.

New Alumni Day at the Dayton Dragons

More than 100 graduates from the Class of 2008 joined their friends and family members at Fifth Third Field on Monday, May 5, for a Dayton Dragons game to celebrate their academic achievements. The graduates’ first alumni event provided a great opportunity to reconnect with classmates in a relaxed social setting a few weeks after graduation.

The Dayton Dragons, a minor-league baseball team, celebrated with the alumni, providing each with a Dragons hat and recognizing them in the game program, on the video board and over the PA system. Several program chairs and college administrators also attended the game. Brandon Kennison, college recruiter, threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.

This event marks the second “New Alumni Day” sponsored by the Alumni Association.

Around the World with Kettering College

Would you be interested in an alumni travel program? Your alumni association needs your input. Please take a few moments to answer a brief 13-question survey. Visit www.kcma.edu/Alumni/survey. Those who respond by July 31 will be entered into a drawing for a Kettering College sweatshirt.