Congratulations to our men's hockey team on bringing home gold at the University Cup this month. I think I can speak for many UNB alumni that this was indeed a proud moment for us all and has given us another year of bragging rights among our colleagues and friends.
Aside from being an avid cheerleader of our athletics teams, what I enjoy most about my position with the Alumni Association is connecting with our alumni and building relationships with our remarkable students in an effort to help make their UNB experience a positive one.
Each year, the Alumni and Alumnae associations provide approximately $120,000 in support to UNB students. This winter, we celebrated over 120 outstanding student scholars at our annual Alumni and Alumnae Student Scholarship & Awards luncheons in Fredericton and Saint John. These students received scholarships, prizes or bursaries for the 2016-17 academic year and, although I was unable to attend this year’s events, I know just how inspiring it feels to leave a room full of such deserving and driven students.
In 2017, the Alumni Association also launched an updated sponsorship program, which provides annual sponsorships to a wide range of associations, student groups, athletic teams and clubs on campus in support of the university and its students. It has been exciting to support a number of interesting and important initiatives, from a race car competition and debating clubs, to the safe ride vans on our campuses.
We are always looking for more ways to connect alumni with students through mentorships, job placements and professional development opportunities. Our annual Table Talks event in Saint John took place this past November bringing together a number of UNB Saint John students and young alumni in the city. Students had the opportunity to connect with alumni over four professional development topics and build valuable networking relationships in the community.
UNB alumni have a huge impact on the lives of our students. Whether it’s by offering advice as mentors, making a gift, referring a prospective student or volunteering time to the university, we can positively transform someone’s UNB experience - just as so many alumni did during our time on campus. In 2017, I welcome and encourage you to reach out and do the same.
Brooke
