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Kicking off 2019 with a get-together, Alumni Campus Employees gathered on Wednesday, January 16, to enjoy good food and conversation at the Annual Welcome Back Luncheon. Organized by the Office of Alumni Engagement as a way to thank alumni employees for their dedication and service, and to let them know about volunteer and philanthropic opportunities, the luncheon was a great way to catch up with colleagues who are fellow alumni employees.

Although many may not know it, more than 500 alumni currently work at �鶹��ý���� as faculty or staff. Alumni Campus Employees (ACE) are special members of the campus community, having spent time here as students before becoming staff and faculty. They share a unique perspective and dedication to the University. Alumni Campus Employees use their experiences to create strong connections to current students, understanding the importance of building a personal connection as a way to help them become active alumni.

Margaree Coleman-Carter ’80 MA, Dean of Students, spoke to the group and shared her �鶹��ý���� journey. “I arrived to this campus 40 years ago, as a graduate student from northwest Pennsylvania, I had never been to New Jersey – compared to where I came from this was a foreign land! My journey began in residence life where I was able to form meaningful relationships with students, hall directors and residence life housing staff,” she says.

“Today, as staff and faculty of �鶹��ý����, we are all here for the same reason: the students. My responsibilities as the Dean of Students is to serve as an advocate for students and provide them with the necessary services to assist them as they navigate through college,” says Dean Coleman-Carter. “Their stories inspire me and have had a lasting effect on my life.”

As far as giving to the University, Dean Coleman-Carter adds, “We need to give back, not only in our work, but in helping support fund efforts for our students.”

For Joseph Bavazzano ’15, director of the ADP Center for Learning Technologies, the luncheon is a great opportunity to see how many alumni are a part of the �鶹��ý���� team. “You don’t realize how much you have in common with so many of your colleagues until you can come together at an event like this one,” he says. “It truly says a lot about the institution when so many of its graduates want to come back and remain part of campus.”

Hannah Weise ’13, coordinator of Marketing and Digital Media for Student Development and Campus Life, shares the same sentiments as her colleague. “I always enjoy attending the ACE luncheon because it gives me the opportunity to spend time with my colleagues and fellow alumni. I get to work with most of them often throughout the year, but there isn’t much time to socialize,” she says. “I’m proud to be a �鶹��ý���� alumna and can’t wait for the next event!”

Colleen Coppla, vice president for Development, took a few moments to address the audience and thanked everyone for their service to the University as well as provided an update on the Soar campaign. “I am pleased to announce that the campaign total stands at just under $65 million as of December 31, 2018. Your efforts to help spread the word and to continue supporting our students are greatly appreciated and critical to our success story.”

We invite you to . Those interested in supporting the Soar campaign can or learn more about payroll deduction.