Dear Fellow Wabash Alumnus:
The National Association of Wabash Men is your Wabash alumni association. Therefore, as president of the association, I’d like to begin a Wabash tradition – providing you with a regular report of your alumni association’s board of directors meetings. While the Wabash magazine and the College website include many NAWM Board activities, the Board wanted to provide you with some additional detail and solicit your input and greater involvement as an alumnus of Wabash.
The NAWM is headed by a board of directors appointed and elected by you. The Board meets formally three weekends per year – Homecoming, January and at Commencement. This letter summarizes our January meeting was held on January 26 and 27, 2007.
During this January meeting, we had the opportunity to attend the Celebration of Student Research. I must tell you that the annual Student Research program convinces me that the quality of the young men at our College continues to this day. Students presented a wide range of research projects in both poster sessions and oral presentations.
The Board also participated during that same weekend in the inauguration events for our new president Pat White. We have been privileged to have Pat attend the Fall 2006 Board meeting and he brings great promise to our College. Pat, with his wife Chris, have completely embraced the College and the Crawfordsville community.
Here’s a summary of your Board’s key activities and projects:
Based on its overwhelming alumni response during its first two years, the Board voted to extend its support for WABASH DAY (Wabash Alumni Benefiting And Serving Humanity). This past October 253 volunteers participated in this nationwide service project, making it one of the largest of all Wabash alumni events. There were 27 sites in 13 states and the District of Columbia. Projects ranged from soup kitchens to inner city camps to Habitat for Humanity.
You’ll be hearing more about the how and where you can participate in this year’s event on October 6-7. One of our goals for 2007 is to expand this event through every Wabash Regional Alumni Association – including Europe You will not be disappointed. It’s fun and you’ll meet like-minded alums from different generations – all the while helping with a need in your community. Do it once and you will be hooked. I guarantee it.
The Board endorsed a new Pre-Law Alumni Support Program – a joint effort with the College’s Career Services and faculty. This Program will assist young men in preparing for law school, including the Law School Achievement Test, applications and interviewing skills. The Board will be approaching all of our lawyer alumni, and others who may have an interest, for their support.
The Board is also interested in the Pre-Law Program because it has the potential to become a model for other career areas (mentioned have been medicine, dentistry, and banking/finance). This is an exciting initiative and should ultimately evolve into significant "add" advantages for all our Wabash students.
During the past year the Board has been working with student outreach projects by sponsoring a Chapel Speech program and a Senior Dinner. The purpose of both is to bring a "Wabash after graduation" reality and to present alumni support services information to these, our youngest Wabash men. These programs have been well received and well attended.
The NAWM Board believes that there is value in providing opportunities for alumni interaction with faculty. In fact, the Pre-Law Program, described previously, is the product of a Board-Faculty dinner last May. To further this success, the Board will continue its annual Faculty/NAWM Board Mixer event during the Spring meeting in May.
To insure its continued success, the Board considered a formal statement of the standards and qualities expected of its members.
I hope this report provides helpful information to you, Wabash alumnus, as to the actions and activities by your Board of the National Association of Wabash Men and encourages your active input, participation, and support of Wabash as you are able. WE ARE WABASH.
Very Truly Yours,
Jay Fisher, Class of 1966
President, National Association of Wabash Men