What a year we have experienced in Alumni Relations! So many individuals have provided us assistance over the year by hosting alumni events, helping locate lost alumni, planning reunions and coming back to campus to participate in events! And on March 20, the UT Martin Alumni Council voted to create the UT Martin Young Alumni Council to support the programming needs of our alumni under the age of 32. By the year 2013, approximately half of our alumni base will be under the age of 40. I know we all believe we will forever be young, but frankly speaking, the youth have the older folks outnumbered!

The UT Martin Young Alumni Council met in June to discuss young alumni needs, wants and what they expect from their alma mater and how our office can use the current level of resources to meet those demands. Andrew Hart (’04) was appointed chair. This group has the energy needed to engage our largest group of alumni, but they also know the importance of traditions and the need to build support for their university. While the task of engaging any alumni base is sometimes challenging, this task will be easier because this council is the face for the group, the voice of reason and the ears for unmet needs. I challenge all of the young alumni under the age of 32 to get involved and support the efforts of this new council. You are the future of our university.

I also want all of the “not-so-young” alumni to know that you can still expect your alumni office to have programming that meets your needs, as well. While we do not plan to establish an “Old Alumni Council,” we will continue to offer special reunions for certain class years, planned giving seminars and other social activities. I hope you will continue to support UT Martin, the alumni office and all of our volunteers as we try to engage you in our alumni programming.

I hope to see you at one of our planned events during the upcoming school year and express that you are welcome to visit us any time.

– Charley Deal, Class of ’92, ‘96