Young Alumni having trouble with participation
Graduates’ focus turning away from university

By Jessica Cervantez
Staff Reporter

Participating in the TCU Young Alumni contributes to networking, promotes continued ties to TCU and develops new friendships, but there are problems locating graduates and getting them involved, said Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Jeff Crane.

Crane, who also oversees the Dallas Young Alumni Chapter, said the biggest problem the organization faces is keeping up with graduates, because so many addresses are incorrect.

“People are constantly moving, and the last thing on their minds is to call TCU and update their addresses,” Crane said. “This makes communication difficult, but e-mail helps cure some of these problems.”

Kelly Mooney, who is currently the president of the Fort Worth Young Alumni Board, said she thinks that when alumni receive mail from the organization, they either think it’s a solicitation, or they just want a break from TCU for awhile.

Kristi Hoban, president of the Alumni Association, said the TCU Young Alumni, which began in 1989, gives alumni who graduated within the last 10 years the opportunity to stay involved.

“The events are geared toward young alumni and their interests,” Hoban said. “There are events that (the young alumni) would fit into socially.”

Hoban said there’s a continuing trend for graduates not to participate in the TCU Young Alumni right after graduation.

“Priorities are different, and alumni are getting settled,” Hoban said. “Usually after a couple of years, alumni get involved again.”

Crane said other reasons alumni don’t participate directly after graduation is because they work long hours or participate in other organizations.

Meredith McClure, another member of the Dallas board, said she wished others would get involved, because being a part of the association has had a positive effect on her life.

“It’s nice to know I’m involved and it doesn’t take a lot of time out of my life,” McClure said.

Hoban said Fort Worth, Dallas and Houston are the only cities which officially participate in the TCU Young Alumni because of the large TCU alumni population in those areas.

The TCU Young Alumni is a branch off the entire alumni organization, Hoban said. Graduates are invited to participate in all the alumni events, but there are certain events such as happy hours that are exclusively geared toward young alumni.

Jessica Cervantez
j.s.cervantez@student.tcu.edu