Thank You to the Alumni Volunteers and Donors Who Support Student Success

April is National Volunteer Month and also the month when we celebrate the University of Northern Colorado's 24 hour day of giving Bears Give Back.

Yet it is the every day donors and volunteers who step up and step out in support of student success who remind us that the impact of service and philanthropy are not limited to one day or one month per year. It is YOUR impact that goes far beyond our day of giving. So thank you.

Thank you to the donors who fund programs like Bears First, because dedicated support and a fresh start is sometimes all you need to succeed. Donors who fund our Education Abroad scholarships, because every student deserves access to the global experiences that will change their outlook on life and their career. Donors who fund the Hawai'i Club Lei campaign, because 3,000 miles from home should not limit the cultural importance and practice of how students from Hawai'i celebrate their UNC commencement. (I happen to have been one of these students and I remember how it felt to receive graduation leis even though I was so far from home).

To these donors - THANK YOU! Your support matters and I am grateful that you choose to connect to UNC through these unique and distinct student programs.

And beyond your philanthropy, thank you to the alumni who choose to volunteer in service to student success. You are making a difference in a remarkable and positive way.

You Support Admissions

Bear to Bear, UNC’s alumni admissions outreach program entered it’s second year with volunteers from across the U.S. signing up to write personal cards to UNC’s admitted undergraduate students. Thank you for welcoming our next generation of Bears.

You Advance Career Readiness

For nearly ten years, UNC’s Bear Network has focused on recruiting and engaging alumni in support of career readiness. From virtual career panels to representing companies during on campus employment fairs, UNC alumni are helping students put their Bear Network to work.

You Engage in the Classroom

With K-12 education being the top industry of employment among UNC alumni, it is easy to find a UNC graduate in classrooms and school districts across the U.S. Thank you to the alumni educators who proudly share their UNC connections. Your promote UNC in your class, you bring your students on campus tours, and you enthusiastically represent your district during our K-12 educator fair.

Additionally, many of you are front and center in our UNC college classrooms, sharing your expertise industry guest speakers, internship advisors, and visiting artists and performers.

You Help Us Bring the Community Together

With UNC alumni and community events occurring on and off-campus every month, alumni volunteers are critical to providing a welcoming experience for all guests. From football tailgates to Commencement ceremonies, alumni event volunteers help bring UNC's community together around shared experiences and help create lasting memories.

You Connect Scholarships to Current Students

UNC's alumni scholarship committee ensures that donor-funded scholarships are awarded to UNC's outstanding students. Awards range from the UNC Alumni License Plate Scholarship to the Gander Scholarship for Bears First students, as well as many scholarships supporting UNC's diversity, equity and inclusion goals. Committee service is a great way for alumni to get involved, support student success, and learn more about the impact of donor philanthropy.

You Stand as University Leadership

A special thank you to the UNC Alumni Board for their service throughout the year. Alumni Board members are the trusted advisors who shine a light on diverse alumni experiences, industry and workforce trends, and ensure the institutional legacy of alumni involvement continues year after year. Our culture of service is modeled and sustained by your leadership. Thank you!

And thank you to the alumni volunteers who provide critical investment and governance leadership for the University through the UNC Foundation board and on governor-appointed Board of Trustees.

Thank You for Giving Back as UNC Bears

I believe that the nature and care of our alumni community is a defining characteristic of our university; and that our students excel with alumni support and so often choose to give back when they able. Thank you to every member of our alumni community who chose to generously provide their time, expertise or philanthropic support this past school year. Thank you!