CEO Insights: Recognizing Our Volunteers

April is Global Volunteer Month, an international celebration of the millions of volunteers who give their time to many worthy causes around the world. It reminds us to show gratitude and give thanks to those among us who serve others.

Volunteers are the heart of our alumni community. More than 3,000 volunteers serve Penn State through the Alumni Association’s nearly 300 affiliate groups, two student organizations—Lion Ambassadors and Blue & White Society—and numerous mentoring opportunities. Here are just a few of the ways these volunteers make an impact.

The association’s governing body, Alumni Council, consists of 104 volunteers who serve to ensure that the association provides relevant programs and services for our 173,000 members worldwide. (This year’s Alumni Council elections are coming up May 10–31. We’ll remind you in next month’s issue of Alumni Insider—be sure to vote!)

Thousands of alumni also serve as leaders of our chapters, alumni interest groups, and societies to keep alumni connected throughout their lifelong relationship with the University. Additionally, volunteers greet and cheer on our Nittany Lion student-athletes all around the country, whether they’re competing in basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, or any other sport (including football).

For the past two years, our alumni volunteers have been supported by fellow volunteer and Alumni Association president Kelley Lynch ’87. She is truly “Powered by Pride” for Penn State, and has been a dedicated leader, and a constant presence at meetings, events, pep rallies, and events, providing encouragement, guidance, and gratitude to our great volunteers.

As her term nears its conclusion in June, I want to recognize and thank Kelley for all she’s done as president of the association, including:

• Leading the Alumni Association out of COVID restrictions
• Championing the move to our?One Membership Model
• And having a visible presence at all our Commonwealth campuses.

For Kelley, and every other volunteer who helps make the Penn State alumni community great:?

WE ARE … grateful!

WE ARE … appreciative!

WE ARE … Penn State!

On behalf of the staff at the Penn State Alumni Association, THANK YOU to our many volunteers for extending the Penn State experience to alumni worldwide, keeping traditions alive, and serving as ambassadors for Penn State!?

If you would like information on how you can be involved with the Penn State Alumni Association as a volunteer, visit our website at alumni.psu.edu.

For the Glory,

Paul