Alexa D’Ambrosio ’17, Sonam Saxena ’17: We all look forward to the day we receive our diplomas. We imagine ourselves exhaling as we stand on the stage at graduation, letting out all of the stress of high school and looking forward to college. However, entering the “real world” can be intimidating. After college you are suddenly thrown into reality and the pressure of finding a job looms over your head. Luckily for graduates of Episcopal Academy, the EA community has made many efforts to assist those who are attempting to forge a future by establishing a series of connections among alumni and their families. Holding events such as reunions and alumni football games and communicating through the newly established EA Networks system, EA provides graduates with the opportunity to connect with both their own classmates and other alumni.
Photo courtesy of Paige LeGrand
According to Episcopal Academy’s Alumni website page, “The power and value of EA extends well beyond graduation. It touches students, parents, alumni, faculty and administration.” EA strives to maintain relationships with its alumni and it desires to continue positively impacting their lives. EA has recently manifested this care in a newly established program called “EA Networks.”
EA Networks gives young alumni aid as they begin the difficult task of finding a job. Through this network, young alumni can get in touch with both older alumni and parents of EA students in search of employees. Not only does this connection benefit those receiving jobs and those hiring but it also give both parties confidence in the other as they share a background of education at EA.
“The objective of the site, which is a joint effort of the Alumni Society, Episcopal Parents Association, and the school, is to help Alumni of all ages. That can be for internships, full time employment, and even offering opportunities to Episcopal Seniors who are working on their senior projects,” explained Edward S. Spofford, the president of the Alumni Society Board of Managers, in his letter to the EA community. The network gives students “opportunities to leverage the experience and knowledge the Alumni have gained after leaving Episcopal as a resource for the current students and the recently graduated.”
In addition to establishing EA Networks, Episcopal, with assistance from the Alumni Board of Managers, ensures that it keeps in touch with former graduates long after graduation. Connections, a magazine sent out to current Episcopal families as well as Episcopal graduates, gives updates of current news at EA as well as information about the lives of alumni, including wedding and baby pictures.
Furthermore, big events, like rival sports games or Regionals, stand as reunions to reinforce and establish new connections among alumni. Reunions called Regionals are held each year in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California, and in some years they are even held in Texas or Colorado. Similarly, reunions are held every five years for graduates of a specific class. The Giles family also helps to gather alumni living in Florida, most of who are retired, by inviting them to a Phillies’ spring training game.
During the school year, a postcard highlighting AIS/Haverford weekend is sent to graduates, encouraging them to revisit the EA family in the excitement of the numerous athletic competitions. In the spring, Alumni Weekend is held for all EA alumni. “On this weekend, guest speakers speak if [their] careers led to an interesting path,” explained Theresa McElhone from the Sherrerd Alumni House.
During the Alumni Weekend, graduates are encouraged to explore the campus while taking part in opportunities such as swimming, playing squash, or arts and crafts. Teachers such as Dr. Row will offer lectures on varied topics, teaching the returning alumni unique information that strays from their everyday knowledge.
Every two years, Episcopal also hosts an alumni awards assembly, where successful individuals are acknowledged and previous EA athletes are inducted into the hall of fame. Various awards are given to alumni who have taken different paths including, but not limited to, the Young Alumni Award, the Alumni Spirit Award, the Alumni Award for Achievement in the Arts, and the Alumni Community Service Award.
Episcopal also recognizes familial milestones in an alumnus’s life. For example, when an alumnus’s first child is born, Episcopal sends its graduate a mini EA sweater. For the next child, an EA bib is sent, and for the third, a Church mouse beanie baby.
Episcopal Academy desires to watch its graduates succeed and be content in life. The school has developed a plethora of networking opportunities for the alumni to stay connected and support each other. Whether through EA networks, reunions, or at a football game, Episcopal is helping to foster a strong family of prosperous individuals.