L-R: Tom Farnham '72, Bob Foster ’72, Bernie Tuohy '72, Tom Hokr ’72, Rick Speckmann ’72
By Rick Speckmann ’72
President and Chair, Alumni Association Board of Directors
We tend to think of return on investment (ROI) as a financial metric. Shareholders invest to reap dividends. Broaden the application of ROI and we could include the return benefit to SJU graduates who, along with their families, invest significantly during their four-year academic experience.
The ROI dividend?
98% of graduates are situated in their first career within a year of graduating. Additionally, they have the ROI of lifelong friendships and spiritual prosperity nurtured from their life immersed in a Benedictine value-centric community. That’s a significant jumpstart into a fulfilling future, but just the beginning of the enduring benefits for an alumnus.
There is both a “giving” and “receiving” component to maximize the ROI. For more than 150 years, alumni have been “Giving Back” in the form of financial support. This past fiscal year, more than $3.1 million was contributed to the Student Fund, and even more support was provided to other scholarship and campus improvement initiatives. Add to that alumni participation in recruiting future Johnnies and Bennies, mentoring and career networking with our students. Johnnies are profound “givers” of financial support, time and talent.
What is the “receiving” factor for alumni in the ROI formula? Each year the 43-member Alumni Association board commits to deliver substantive programs and communications that are relevant throughout all life stages. The “receiving” benefit extends to when an alumnus dies in the form of recognition, family support and remembrance.
Two immutable Benedictine Values platform our Mission Statement:
COMMUNITY - To become who we are by our relationship to others (interpretation of RB 33)
STEWARDSHIP - To appreciate and care lovingly for all the goods of his place (interpretation of RB 31)
The Alumni Association “ROI” Mission Statement was cast over a century ago:
To strengthen and perpetuate the bonds of friendship formed in college days, to advance the spiritual and temporal welfare of its members, and to further the interests of our alma mater.
This mission drives formulation and delivery of alumni programs, events and communications (including this blog post).
As Alumni Association past president David Moe ’94 explains, “The key is maintaining relevancy to our ever-expanding alumni population throughout the world. We must respond to alumni wants and needs with timely and life-enhancing programs that factor in diversity and inclusiveness of age, geography, culture and ethnicity.”
Nine committees on the Alumni Association board channel “reach” through four market segments: Individuals, Classes, Chapters and Clubs. Simply stated, you must go to where alumni are, what they require in their current life, and how they connect with SJU. Nine committees focus on programs that deliver the “giving” and “receiving” elements of alumni ROI.
Benedictine Way: Provides activities that enrich spiritual fulfillment through application of Benedictine values. Day of Services events, Benedictine cohorts, spiritual retreats.
Student Experience: Provides the opportunity to engage with our SJU students throughout the year and support them in their development.
Student Recruitment: Initiates opportunity to connect with neighbors, family, associates and high schools to orient and promote the SJU and CSB story. Nearly two-thirds of the Class of 2024 came to SJU through a connection with an alumnus.
Alumni Engagement: Alumni benefit from gatherings like golf outings, art and culture events, the Johnnie Standup and professional development events.
Resource Development: This group mobilizes class representatives, chapters and individual alumni of all generations to support the Student Fund providing scholarship support.
Chapters: Organize, connect and support alumni in geographic areas with local programs and activities.
Classes: Continuous communications and class specific events (i.e., 5-year Reunions) enable classmates to remain connected.
Clubs: Gatherings of professional skill groups and personal interests (i.e., attorneys, accountants, outdoor activities, athletics).
Individuals: Recognition of alums who contribute to a variety of programs.
To increase your ROI experience, please check us out here:
SJU Alumni Website: www.sjualum.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/SJUAlumni
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjualumni/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SJUAlum/
Facebook Young Alumni Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CSBSJUYAC/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/saint-john's-university/
LinkedIn Alumni Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1880587/