And Home They Came

Alumni, family, and friends brought their UMass Amherst pride back to campus to celebrate Homecoming 2006. Alumni Association celebrations reconnected friends with one another and with the university.

“It was wonderful to see so many of our Alumni Association members back on campus,” said Hal Lane’60, president of the Association. “Homecoming is always fun, but this year was special. Alumni had an opportunity to see all the changes here on campus and to share their excitement and pride in their alma mater.”

Luncheon Serves Up Economic Review

On a crisp fall day in late September, alumni gathered for the Greater Boston Alumni Club Annual Business Luncheon. The University of Massachusetts Club in Boston was filled with close to 100 alumni and guests who came to hear keynote speaker Robert M. Mahoney ’70, vice chairman of Citizens Financial Group, review key market trends and share his outlook on the economy.

Although Mahoney pointed to a number of positive trends at that time, such as a stable rate of inflation, growing employment opportunities, and sound corporate profits, he also noted a conservative trend in commercial investments and a decline in the consumer demand for credit. “We’ve had a very warm economy,” said Mahoney. “It has to cool down, and this time . . . it is going to cool down on the back of consumer spending and housing.”

Citizens is the eighth-largest bank in the United States, with 17,000 employees in 13 states and assets of $150 billion. As vice chairman, Mahoney is responsible for the $60 billion New England Banking operation and several business lines, including Government Banking, Commercial Insurance, Investment Management Services, and a Retail Broker Dealer.
“The event was a huge hit,” said Mark Malone ’97, president of the Greater Boston Alumni Club. “Our alumni were thrilled to hear Bob Mahoney speak on the economy and to meet in a formal business setting while sharing our UMass Amherst experience.”

The Alumni Association works with more than 30 regional Alumni Clubs to present events and programs that highlight accomplished alumni, promote networking, and deliver valuable news and information. Contact the volunteer leader in your area to find out more about activities and events. Visit UMassAlumni.com for a complete listing of Alumni Clubs throughout the nation.

Moving Careers Forward

They come for different reasons: David Wenhem ’06, a hotel manager in Boston, wants to advance in his field; Karen Dzendolet ’81 is making the transition to a new career in interior design, and Adnan Pathan ’04, a commercial casualty underwriter, is all about networking and making contacts. These are but a few of the UMass Amherst graduates participating in Alumni Career Services—a program developed by the Alumni Association in response to overwhelming requests for professional development training.

Alumni Career Services coordinates seminars and workshops led by accomplished alumni willing to share their know-how. “Our alumni are among the best and the brightest,” said Cristina Geso, executive director of the Alumni Association, “so why not draw from their expertise to help others grow and develop professionally? At the same time we are providing networking opportunities and adding value to the UMass Amherst experience.”

The program’s participants agree; more than 200 attendees took full advantage of opportunities to learn about professional networking from notable business leaders this past fall. In Boston, alumni heard from Shane Hughes ’93, president of Pyxis Mobil, and attended a highly interactive workshop conducted by Rodney Byrd ’77, senior executive recruiter with Isaacson, Miller. New York alumni met with Walter Z. Berger ’77, executive vice president and chief financial officer of CBS Radio. And Los Angeles was the location for a panel discussion of alumni in the entertainment industry, including Anne Hamburger ’76, executive vice president of creative entertainment for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Tom Benedek ’71, Hollywood screenwriter; Bart Rosenblatt ’79, president of Code Entertainment, and Mark Wilkinson ’91, writer, director, and producer.

Delivering information to the most alumni through a variety of media is a primary goal of Alumni Career Services. In addition to seminars and workshops, alumni can benefit from the program by visiting UMassAlumni.com to read career tips, listen to interviews with leading experts through podcasts, and participate in blogs. They can submit a professional development question and read alumni advice as well as expert opinions. Alumni are strongly encouraged to log into the online Alumni Directory to update their personal profile and begin connecting with fellow graduates.

“This spring the focus will be on entrepreneurship and career transition,” said Geso. “Members of the Alumni Association will also have exclusive access to targeted techniques on tactical issues relating to salary negotiation, work-life balance, creating your own personal brand, and selecting a career coach.”

Membership is the key to providing these resources. Join the Alumni Association today and keep your career moving forward.

UMass Amherst Legacy Passed On

Kyle McCormack, 12, isn’t waiting until his senior year of high school to select a college—he has already set his sights on UMass Amherst. With 25 alumni in the family, Kyle will add to a strong UMass Amherst legacy should he enroll in the Class of 2016.

The Alumni Association recognizes all UMass Amherst legacy families. Each generation that attends the university carries on the tradition and spirit of those before it, while bringing new ideas and energy to campus. This is what the Alumni Association is all about: maintaining ties with the past, connecting in the present, and expanding future opportunities. We hope to welcome Kyle to UMass Amherst in the future, and thank the many members of his family for their continued support!

Do you have a legacy family story? Send us your photos and information at alumni@admin.umass.edu.