Typically I spend time writing my column in a way that summarizes homecoming and talking about what lies ahead for alumni relations. But, instead, this time I want to talk about a new program geared toward our graduates of the last decade: the GOLD program.

Alumni often feel that the only way to support their alma mater is to give money. Wrong answer! Alumni can be mentors to current students, volunteer to serve on councils and advisory boards, recruit students to participate in meetings and events sponsored by UT Martin. The new GOLD program seeks to involve these new alumni in positive ways, using new methods of contacting them. Facebook, email blasts and e-vite programs are now being used to help our university communicate with this large segment of our population.

Whether you’re GOLD or like me and just OLD, we need your support now more than ever before. Regardless of age, your support and involvement are critical.

On the next page, you will read highlights of comments made at the annual Alumni Dinner and Awards program. A very big thank you to all of the alumni who traveled to take part in the Homecoming ‘08 activities. What a great weekend it was for our university. Quad City continues to grow, and our goal for next year is to see more than 6,000 people come back to campus! Speaking of next year, our homecoming date has been set for Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Please plan to join us for exciting homecoming and reunion events.

Larry Bradley (’82 MBA) visited recently and donated two copies of his book, Neither Liberal Nor Conservative Be, to the Paul Meek Library and Department of Management, Marketing and Political Science. Bradley’s book focuses on helping individuals overcome polarized politics. His next book will propose needed changes to America’s political and electoral process. His Blog is TheCenterStrikesBack.com. He is pictured signing his book with Charley Deal of the Office of Alumni Relations.