Trisha Tsundupalli ‘21 | Maiah Islam ‘21 | Ronak Nagar ‘24
Alumni connection to EA is critical to the overall health of the institution and finding ways to keep them engaged during COVID has led to significant innovation. Lauren Maloney, Director of Alumni Engagement, says that EA will be “prioritizing [events for members of the senior class because they are] in-person and on-campus.” As a result, the Alumni Engagement Office will not be hosting any in-person, on-campus events for alumni yet. Instead, all of the events that would have normally occurred are now going to be virtual. Typically, Alumni Engagement “could go around the East Coast to places like Boston and New York” for networking events, says Maloney. However, with travel restrictions in place, those plans have changed. Maloney describes their alternative plans, saying, “[We are] taking the opportunity to […] see what other types of programs we could do that are interesting to alums and that would connect them back to the school and to each other.“
The Alumni Engagement Office also established the Engage Episcopal program. Currently, the goal of the program is to share alumni stories and bring their voices to EA homes. Maloney gives examples of such alumni, saying, “Two [alumni] have started their own companies during the pandemic, four EA journalists have won Pulitzer prizes, and one was on an exoneration case in the eighties.”
CLASS REUNION: EA Alumni gather together at an outdoor social event. Photo courtesy of Ashley Kennedy
Maloney also notes that the office must be creative to make the best of the seniors’ last year at EA, saying, “We are coming up with an event that will at least get [the seniors] together, having fun, thinking about [their] soon-to-be alumni roles.” Although each senior event is not yet concrete, Maloney says that “it is kind of a wait and see [situation], but we know we have to be creative.” Vince Vento ‘21, a senior and a member of the Alumni 101 Committee, shares, “We are trying to plan socially distanced events and more events in the second semester with the hope that pandemic will get better.” Tommy Kan ‘21 hopes “to get a fun experience with my classmates before we graduate.” Erica Feehery ‘21 agrees, commenting that she misses “having normal events with the alumni… but I understand that it is like this for safety and to follow COVID-19 restrictions so that we can be in school.”
Maloney states that another challenge of hosting alumni events during a pandemic is “foster[ing] a connection in a very virtual world.” Their office has been utilizing social media to make up for the lack of in-person events. For example, she says that social media is “nice [for sharing] some of those touchpoints and milestones.” Through these platforms, Maloney was able to connect Nick Christos ‘20 and Natalie Johnston ‘20, who hiked the Appalachian Trail over the summer, with another alumnus who also enjoyed hiking. In Maloney’s words, “Those little connections and how you bring them to life are so important, and I think social media allows you to tell that story in a way that’s not intrusive. It’s not another email in your inbox; it doesn’t require you to attend a one-hour event.”
Alumni Engagement is also adjusting their plans for Chapel speakers. Maloney says that normally the office invites alumni to campus for “Veterans’ Day, sometimes 9/11, and the Alumni Weekend Chapels.” She believes the Alumni Weekend Chapel speakers are a great way to establish connections. However, Maloney describes one challenge that arose this year because of the pandemic. “We have our two winners [speakers]–our 2020 and 2021 winners–both of which are really fascinating. I’m trying to figure out how to engage with them. We could have a fireside chat with them that highlights their incredible careers.” Maloney emphasizes the overarching importance of alumni Chapel speakers, explaining, “I think it is really special when students get to hear from alums because they have been in your shoes. I also know how meaningful it is for our alums to be a part of and hear a Chapel program.” Will Hopkins ‘21 echoes these sentiments, saying, “I really like when alumni speak in Chapel. It’s nice to hear from someone who used to go here.”
Overall, it has been difficult for the Alumni Engagement Office to connect with alumni in this virtual world, but as Maloney says, “I think everybody has been really understanding of the circumstances.” Alumni are willing to wait and understand that in-person events cannot be hosted. Maloney concludes, “They [alumni] are really respectful of the health and safety of everybody first, and they understand that we will still be here and welcome them back with open arms when it is safe for everybody.”