Marquette University Alumni Reunion Weekend

Taking Chances to Build on Success

Our Core Reunion Program

Centralized, held annually on campus the last weekend of July (Fri – Sun)

Five-year increments invited (20% each year)

Exceptions: Law School, School of Dentistry, Golden Jubilee

Reunions 2002 – “Solid and Popular”

729 pre-registered guests, representing 6% of the 11,678 invited 255 walk-ins 37 “events”

Reunions 2006 – “Through the Roof”

1,550 pre-registered guests, representing

12% of the 12,838 invited

321 walk-ins

39 “events”

What Happened? How’d we get there?

We started taking chances.

We said “what if..?” and “Let’s see…”

And we added… and deleted.

Affinity Reunions

• Student Government (new this year)• Ethnic Alumni Association• Navy ROTC• Sigma Phi Delta• M Club

NROTC Commissioning

1956

NROTC Reunion

2005

Let the reunion work its magic...

Class-year Parties

• 20th anniversary of Class of 1985 – Started by identifying major gift prospects – 5-6 influential leaders

– Created $1 million challenge; committee members solicited classmates

– Lake house party – recreating college days with lobster boil on the beach

– Transportation from campus/babysitting

– Underwriting secured

• In 2006 did Classes of ’66, 76, 81, 86• In 2007 all Classes (’62-02)

Class of 1985 Lobster Boil

April, 1985

Class of 1985 Lakefront Lobster Boil Reunion

July, 2005

Class of 1985 Giving Committee and Father Wild with a big check for $1million!

A picture speaks a million words… Reunion Giving works!

Major/College-related reunions

• Journalism 1960-1962• Engineering 1955• Engineering 1962• Physical Therapy (anniversary)• Dental Hygiene 50-year• College of Professional Studies (anniversary)

Reunions outside of Reunion Weekend

• Football (“Undefeated since 1960”)• Chorus• Evans Scholars

We embrace these reunion

opportunities if:

• All from the group are invited• There is a Champion• They are self-sustaining events

How do we support the new efforts?

• Help identify volunteer leaders• Provide labels• Review / coordinate invitation• Provide staffing / nametags at event• FRs and other administrators attend• Provide room on campus as needed

Reunions now Serve a Greater Purpose: Getting More Mileage out of Reunions

Better informed planning (Themes, priorities, development/AR collaboration, etc.)

Giving is organized through Reunion Committees

(Buildup of Annual Giving staff)

Cultivation acceleration – volunteer opportunities

(Self-identified alumni)

Focused messaging – room for development message