Expanded Focus on Regional Alumni Chapters

With over 160,000 living St. John’s alumni, it’s not surprising that a number of graduates live in areas outside of the greater New York metropolitan area. Although far removed from St. John’s University geographically, they remain an important part of the St. John’s family, and we are committed to keeping them connected to the University and to each other in as many ways as possible.

In order to strengthen that connection, William G. Schaeffer ’73CBA, Director, Alumni Relations, has personally assumed the responsibility of working with St. John’s Regional Alumni Chapters on an individual basis. In his new role Schaeffer will visit chapters across the country, meeting with Chapter Leaders and area alumni to determine how the University can encourage greater alumni participation at the local level.

“Each chapter is different,” noted Schaeffer, “and what works very well for one may not be useful for another. My role is not to dictate what these chapters should be doing, but to listen to their plans and see how St. John’s can help them achieve their goals. Ultimately, we all want to increase the numbers of active alumni across the country, because we know that staying connected to the University is beneficial for everyone. How we make that happen will be determined on a chapter by chapter basis.”

During his visits Schaeffer will bring the area alumni up-to-date on what’s happening at St. John’s and offer details on the many changes that have taken place at the University in recent years. He will also invite them to contact him directly if they plan to be in New York so that he can arrange for them to have a personal tour of what is now referred to as “the new St. John’s.”

“For most of our out-of-town alumni, the University is very different from what it was like when they were students here,” noted Schaeffer. “Many of them come to New York on occasion for business or pleasure, and I’d love to show them around campus so that they could see for themselves how much we’ve changed.”

Currently there are 41 active Regional Alumni Chapters in locations across the country. For information about existing chapters or to see if there is a chapter in your area, please visit Alumni Chapters.

If you would like to start a chapter in your area please call Schaeffer at (718) 990-6802 or e-mail schaeffw@stjohns.edu.