Among the most important of our initiatives, though, remains our effort to enhance and strengthen the CASL community and to more fully engage with our alumni. Last week, I was reminded once again just how much our alums care about this campus and our students and how much they give to their alma mater when I attended the CASL Alumni Affiliate Scholarship Recipient reception. This annual event is one of my favorites and I always leave inspired after hearing about the great work that our students are doing and I am always deeply moved by the adversity that many of them have had to overcome. Equally as important is the deep feeling of pride that washes over me as I see the members of our college’s Alumni Affiliate interacting with the students and with each other. These volunteers give countless hours and much energy in service to CASL and they inspire all they come into contact with. Last week’s reception marked the 22nd year for the scholarship and brought the total amount of scholarship money distributed to CASL students to just under $200,000! That is an amazing feat for an unpaid voluntary board and the impact of this selflessness is profound.
As I mentioned to those in attendance at the event, I am incredibly blessed to work alongside of such committed alums and am both inspired and humbled by their devotion to the college. I also shared with the students just how proud I am of them (both as their Dean and as a fellow alum) and how eager all those in attendance were to see just where their lives would lead them. As I told those in attendance (and I firmly believe this to be true), the ability of this campus to transform lives is something I haven't found anywhere else that I’ve ever been or that I am aware of. It is the most salient characteristic of the university and it is something that we should all be incredibly proud of.
I concluded the evening by inviting the scholarship recipients, as I would invite you, to consider giving back to CASL and to the university. This need not mean a financial contribution (though those are always welcome). There is always the need for mentoring, advising, and there are myriad other opportunities to reconnect with your campus and to share your experience and knowledge. Should you have the time and inclination to give back I strongly encourage you to reach out to our Alumni Affiliate (https://umdearborn.edu/casl/alumni-friends/alumni-engagement/casl-alumni-affiliate-scholarship/scholarship-reception) or to the university’s Alumni Relations office (https://umdearborn.edu/alumni). Now, perhaps more than at any other time, the University of Michigan-Dearborn and its students could benefit from your engagement!
