YSU is reaching out to alumni with events across the country

The efforts to engage alumni complement YSU's alumni-giving program.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University is increasing efforts to rekindle ties with alumni from New York to California as the university approaches its centennial year in 2008.
"As we begin the preparation of celebrating our 100th anniversary, it is most appropriate to engage with the alumni who have brought us to this point," said Shannon Tirone, director of the YSU Office of Alumni Relations.
"We have over 80,000 alumni contributing to their communities and making a difference across the world because of the education they received at YSU. It is important that we stay connected, and learn about their successes, as we celebrate our own."
Many events have been conducted around the country in the past several months and several others are planned to help improve those connections.
In January, about 50 alumni living in California attended a brunch at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel hosted by YSU President David C. Sweet and Chief Development Officer Paul McFadden. More than 700 YSU graduates live in the Los Angeles area.
Back east
In March, 50 alumni living in the New York area attended a cocktail reception at Steinway and Sons to celebrate the Dana School of Music Symphonic Wind Ensemble's performance at Carnegie Hall. The gathering also celebrated YSU's designation as an All-Steinway School.
Columbus-area alumni gathered this summer at a pre-game picnic and sat together in reserved seating to watch the Columbus Clippers minor-league baseball team.
On Sept. 24, when the YSU Penguins football team played the Pittsburgh Panthers in Pittsburgh, more than 1,400 YSU fans -- including many alumni from the Pittsburgh area -- attended a tailgate party sponsored by Alumni Relations on Gateway Clipper boats docked outside Heinz Field.
Alumni Relations also hosted receptions in Baltimore on Nov. 2 and in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 3 for dozens of alumni.
Future events include a reception in December in the Chicago area, where nearly 500 alumni will be invited.
Receptions are in the works for January 2006 for Los Angeles and San Francisco, and, in March, YSU will invite its 1,700 alumni in the Sunshine State to the Youngstown Day celebration in Punta Gorda, Fla.
An alumni reception also is tentatively planned for the Atlanta area in April, and a gathering for Arizona-area alumni is planned for Phoenix in May.
"The job of our office is to engage alumni in as many activities as possible," Tirone said. "Although our graduates receive the Youngstown State University magazine and university updates, it is important for us to bring the story directly to them, and we definitely have a story to tell."
Seeking more support
The effort to touch base with alumni is in addition to the university's efforts to seek more support from graduates as it works to expand its base of philanthropic contributors.
The YSU Annual Fund picked up 800 new donors last fiscal year and most of them were alumni. The goal is to attract at least the same number of new donors this year.
Only about 6 percent of the university's alumni give to the university, said Dr. George McCloud, special assistant to the president for development and public relations.
YSU has launched an effort to reach out to alumni to show them they are an important part of the ongoing university, he said. Alumni giving is important but contact with alumni is also about building identity for the university, McCloud said.