to work in a large metropolitan area, basically because I can’t stand sit ing in traffi c. Working in the Boston or New York City area was not an option. So I targeted public universities within smaller communities. The position had to be just right, and Eastern fits the


bill. I found the alumni relations programs, the size of the alumni association board and the campus very attractive. Eastern’s small student to faculty ratio [19:1] is also quite impressive.


Eastern: It’s been said that alumni relations is part art and part science. Would you agree?


Thompson: Absolutely. On the artistic side, you must have the willingness to be creative and the ability to bring things together on a tight budget. T e scientifi c part involves measuring your success, which is sometimes diffi cult in this fi eld. You have to devise diff erent ways of using data to track your success.


Eastern: What’s your philosophy about the relationship between alumni relations and fundraising?


Thompson: T ey go hand-in-hand. For us, it’s about building relationships so alumni are connected with the university. You’re more apt to receive a giſt from someone who feels engaged with the university than from someone you haven’t spoken to in 20 years.


Eastern: What expectations should Eastern graduates have about alumni relations?


Thompson: You really can’t generalize because everyone’s expectations are diff erent. Some people enjoy reading Eastern magazine or at ending a cultural or sporting event. Others may want to become more involved by recruiting new students or serving on the alumni association board. I think Eastern alumni can look forward to having more options of becoming engaged and staying connected with their alma mater. We’ll be implementing new ways alumni can volunteer their time and talents to the institution. We’ll also couple events with activities in the surrounding community. For example, we recently held an event in conjunction with the Plymouth Ice Festival. Soon, we’ll have an event at Eastern Market in Detroit (April 20).


Eastern: What new approaches will you bring to alumni relations?


Thompson: T at involves the science part of the job. We’ll start us- ing web stats and at endance fi gures to measure our engagement with alumni. We’ll examine our programs to see which ones at- tract a new audience versus current customers. In addition, we’ll use some survey techniques to measure alumni expectations and demographics so we can deliver our programs more strategically. We’ll also enter a strategic planning process this spring and have some specifi c goals and objectives ready for implementation in the fall. T e strategic plan will cover a three to fi ve-year range.


Eastern: Do you anticipate changing the criteria established for alumni association membership?


Thompson: Right now, anyone who has a degree from Eastern is an alumni association member. But to receive alumni relations communications, the membership needs to be activated (emich.edu/activate). Activation is free and it comes with benefi ts. We’ll promote membership activation more visibly in the coming months.


Eastern: Aſt er being on campus for just over a month, what are your initial impressions of Eastern?


Thompson: T e staff , faculty and students I’ve encountered are extremely accommodating, helpful and friendly. T at goes along with Eastern’s close-knit community. My experiences with alumni have been very positive. And I love Eastern’s campus. I know alumni enjoy the beautifully renovated buildings as well as the new construction.


Eastern: Are there any other messages you’d like to relay to Eastern alumni?


Thompson: T e life of our institution depends upon active alumni involvement. We welcome your “time, talent and treasure” and encourage you to give back to the University. We’re very open to new ideas—give us a call if you’d like to see alumni events take place at diff erent geographic locations. I’m really looking forward to meeting Eastern alumni at our upcoming events. We’re moving forward. 3


T e Alumni Relations team can be reached at 734.487.0250. Eastern | SPRING 2013 39


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