The Daily Collegian Alumni Interest Group (AIG) has steered its efforts in a new direction by renaming the "Collegian AIG Reunion" the "Collegian Alumni Weekend" and scheduling it for April 12 through 14, 2002.
Also, the AIG changed the committee structure and its routine schedule to allow more time to focus its energies on the event. The distinguishing feature of the Alumni Weekend will be the new Alumni of Distinction award, which will be presented along with numerous other awards.
The AIG's thought behind the name change was to incorporate a different psychological meaning to the event, according to newly elected AIG president Rochelle Sufrin ('78). She is a former member of the business staff.
"The new name is not 'reunion,' but it intrinsically implies such," Sufrin said. "The event is a time to see people you know and to create dialogue and networks with people you don't know."
She added, "Scheduling our event for Spring 2002 has given us a greater opportunity to plan multi-interest activities for our alumni and families."
The AIG board members, alumni and the University have been working collaboratively through e-mails and conference calls to share and organize information, in hopes the Alumni Weekend will successfully launch in April with an expected turnout of approximately 125 people.
Sufrin visited Penn State in mid-May and met with current Collegian AIG Vice President and Penn State Manager of Research Communication Vicki Fong ('81), AIG board member Wayne Hilinski ('62) and Penn State Alumni Association Liaison Kristen Fortney, as well as Alumni Association regional directors Cheryl Stringer and Dan Genard.
During her visit to the University, Sufrin toured the new Hintz Family Alumni Center, where a guided tour and the Alumni Weekend breakout sessions will be held.
Other activities planned for the weekend include informal registration Friday evening at Whisker's Pub in The Nittany Lion Inn, a tour of the Collegian or AccuWeather and an invitation to attend the open board meeting on Sunday morning.
A new feature for the Alumni Weekend is the establishment of the Alumni of Distinction Award.
The recipients of this award include one alumnus from each of the Business and News divisions and one alumnus in the Young Professional group, age 39 and younger.
The recipients of this award will be chosen in January and honored at the Saturday Awards Dinner at the Nittany Lion Inn.
"This award will be the flagship event of the weekend," Sufrin said.
The award is the highest honor that the AIG Board of Directors bestows upon an outstanding alumni, who have reached a distinguished level of professional and personal achievement.
