Cornell College Alumni Board
Annual Meeting
April 27, 2007

Attending:

• Carol Busch Telling
• Joseph Campanelli
• Andrea Herrera
• RJ Holmes
• Fredrick Holtz
• Mark Hudson
• Sheila Kruse Boyce
• Jan Lansing Murphy
• Lisa Naaktgeboren
• Anna-Doretta Dilley Riley
• Lynn Ross-Cope
• Allan Ruter
• Roger Stigers
• Gary Thompson
• Todd Watson
• Dan Wilson
• John Yeager

Absent:

• Kayla Buck Sorgenfrey
• James Coddington
• Mary Elliott
• Andrew Peternel
• Rebecca Roberg
• Linda Spies Schilling
• Richard Scott
• Carrie Temm
• Mark Van Etten
• Kate Schlemmer Watson

Staff:

• Ruth Miller
• Jackie Stewart
• Monica Davis
• Peter Wilch
• Mary Rettig
• Jennifer Boettger
• Dee Ann Rexroat
• Jayne Swanson
• Sharon Grice
• Jonathan Stroud

Presented by Joe Campanelli ’69 and Lynn Ross Cope ’87

Joe and Lynn presented two examples of elevator speeches

The key to a good elevator speech is to make it personal and be passionate about the message.

Mark Hudson felt it would be helpful to have current students speak to the board about their experiences with current programs/opportunities. This would help the board to feel more informed when adding this to their elevator speech.

* For complete examples of elevators speeches and full information on the extraordinary opportunities see attachments.

Assignment for all Board Members:

To incorporate the above (and attached information) into an elevator speech that will help assist you become a “Great Ambassadors” for the college.

V. Break: 10:40 a.m.

VI. Committee Meetings: 10:50 a.m.

Lunch:

Noon, Harlan Dining Room

Break: 1:30 p.m.

VII. Homecoming 2007

Launching the Campaign

Presented by Peter Wilch ’94, VP for Alumni and College Advancement and Ruth Keefe Miller ’66, Alumni Director

Proposed Schedule for the Campaign Launch Events:

October 2007

November, 16 2007 Denver, CO Museum of Nature & Science

January 26, 2008 Des Moines Wakonda Club

March 1, 2008 Phoenix Kerr Cultural Center

April 5, 2008 Chicago Notebaert Nature Museum

Fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009)

September 2008 Minneapolis/St. Paul Location TBD

November 2008 St. Louis Location TBD

January/February 2009 Washington DC Location TBD

Peter addressed the board regarding the key elements of the Extraordinary Opportunities-The Campaign for Cornell:

Fred Holtz asked the most effective way for board members to talk about the campaign with other alumni since this campaign is not mainly about buildings, but endowment and programming. He feels this is more difficult to put into an elevator speech.

Peter’s responded that like many students at Cornell today, his own opportunity to attend Cornell was in thanks to the scholarships that were made available to him. He also noted that historically the college has focused more of its resources on academic programs and faculty. He believes this is a good model to stay with. Peter also sited Tamera Toussaint ’86 and how she contributes her success to Cornell, which was due to the scholarships she received.

Mark Hudson questioned how Scholarships are handled with Admissions packages.

Jennifer Boettger suggested this is a balancing act for Jonathan Stroud in Admissions and asked people to read the recent White Papers from President Garner dealing with scholarships. You can go to the following site: http://www.cornellcollege.edu/campus_offices/president/whitepapers.shtml

Mark Hudson wanted to know the best way the Board could help with the campaign.

Peter indicated the best way is to become knowledgeable about the campaign, encourage people to be at the Saturday night event and encourage others to join in and help. Participation is key!

Ruth expressed her confidence for Cornell’s future in the fact that quality people have come back to serve Cornell. Examples like Peter Wilch ’94, Brent Brase ’90, Matt Dillon ’81 and Mark Zinkula, a bother to Tom Zinkula ’79.

She reviewed a few elements of this year’s Homecoming. The theme is “Celebrate Cornell.” The goal of the weekend is to inform, inspire, and energize alumni. We will inform alumni through an “Extraordinary Opportunities” student panel, a master plan panel outlining our campus plan, a short campaign video and President Garner’s remarks to alumni at the convocation and on Sat. evening event. The inspiration will come from celebrating those who have brought us to this place in the campaign. We hope to energize the group with a high energy, fun event on Sat. evening.

Lisa Naaktgeboren and Allan Ruter are working with the Campaign Launch Event Committee to plan the Saturday evening launch event. It is important for all alumni board members to in attendance if possible. The board will have specific tasks to greet and guide guests to tables as well as sharing their enthusiasm.

Closing thoughts on the launch from Peter is that this is a time to celebrate the future of Cornell, a place that Cornellians love.

Ruth’s Retirement:

Peter formally announced Alumni Director, Ruth Miller’s, retirement at the end of 2007.

Schedule for finding a successor:

Lisa Naaktgeboren asked if the new director needs to be an alumna/alumnus of Cornell. Peter indicated that would be preferable but this would not be a deal breaker if the person has the right qualifications and is a good fit for the college and our alumni.

Communications:

Dee Ann Rexroat reported on the campaign kickoff message regarding College Communications. The following are dates and messages that will lead up to the reveal on Saturday night of Homecoming weekend:

Celebrate Cornell

Cornell is hosting a special “Celebrate Cornell” event as part of the Saturday Homecoming dinner on Oct. 13, 2007. This multimedia evening picks up where we left off at the sesquicentennial celebration, unveiling a plan to position Cornell for the next generation of students—and beyond.

We invite all Cornellians to return for Homecoming 2007 to Celebrate Cornell and be part of the exciting plans for the campus, the curriculum, and the commitment to scholarships for all deserving students who want to become Cornellians. Plan now to be part of this gathering of Cornellians to celebrate

You’ll be buoyed by the momentum, excitement, and early success of the plan for Cornell’s future.

E-News JUNE

Celebrate Cornell

Cornell is hosting a special “Celebrate Cornell” event as part of the Saturday Homecoming dinner on Oct. 13, 2007. This multimedia evening picks up where we left off at the sesquicentennial celebration, unveiling a plan to position Cornell for the next generation of students—and beyond. We invite all Cornellians to return for Homecoming 2007 to Celebrate Cornell and be part of the plans for the campus, the curriculum, and the commitment to scholarships for all deserving students who want to become Cornellians.

Homecoming brochure

Celebrate Cornell

All alumni, faculty, and emeriti faculty are invited to “Celebrate Cornell” as we kick off a major fundraising campaign and unveil a plan to position Cornell for the next generation of students—and beyond. Join us Saturday evening for a gala event of music and dancing, food and drink, and a multimedia show you won’t want to miss as we launch the public phase of Extraordinary Opportunities: The Campaign for Cornell College. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. with a reception at 6 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Marriott. A highlight of the evening will be an energized performance by the alumni of Cornell’s Steel Drum Band, Pandemonium.

*Note the E-News going out in June is the message the Alumni Board should be getting out when they are encouraging people to come back for this special celebration.

Allan Ruter ’76 presented the following names for nomination for Alumni Awards and Fred Holtz ’86 seconded the motion. It was carried.

Fall 2007 Alumni Awards

Distinguished Achievement Award-James McWethy ’65

Through the McWethy Foundation, Jim McWethy ’65 works to steward his resources to make the world a better place, without bringing attention to himself. Among his interests are the American Cancer Society and education. He is particularly generous with his alma mater. Jim earned a master’s degree in economics from Indiana University and taught economics at the college level for several years before a 23-year career in the leadership of his grandfather’s Chicago business, Berry Bearing Co. He was a Cornell trustee from 1995 to 2004 and pledged the lead gift of $2 million toward renovation of McWethy Hall for the art department, which reopened in 2002. Additional McWethy gifts funded The Berry Lobby in Youngker Hall (2002), home of Cornell’s new theater, and the renovation of Law Hall Technology Center (2000). In 2006 McWethy gave $5 million to endow the Berry Center for Economics, Business, and Public Policy, following two years of helping to plan the center as part of an advisory board of alumni, faculty and administrators.

Young Alumni Award- Terry Goeldner ’97

Terry Goeldner ’97 has demonstrated commitment of service to the world community and leadership capacity since his graduation. He works for the United Nations in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he most recently helped coordinate the parliamentary elections of 2005. In 2004, he provided logistical and contract services support for the first democratic Afghanistan national election. From 2002–2003, he worked for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Malawi and Iraq. And from 1997–2001, he worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and was responsible for timely delivery of U.S. government relief commodities for disasters in 62 countries.

Leadership & Service Awards- Gene Hinman ’52 and Dot Boden Hinman ’53

After 10 years with the national Red Cross Disaster Team, Gene Hinman ’52 and Dot Boden Hinman ’53 were awarded the Grant Wood Area Chapter of the American Red Cross Mid Lindsley Disaster Volunteer of the Year Award and were selected as winners of the State of Iowa 2000 Disaster Services Award. They leave without notice and are away from home two to four months a year to volunteer following national disasters including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. Gene specializes in logistics and they both do damage assessment. They also dispense food and hugs as first responders. They

Locally, they are involved with area disaster victims as members of one of four local teams that go on pager-alert one week a month. They respond to all fires, flash floods, tornadoes or other disasters that displace people. Gene was a Cornell professor of geology from 1956-58 and 1960-1995.

Class Agents with 25 or more years of service: Dorothy Brindle Collins ’42, James King ’47, David Klaus ’67, and D. Peter Holmes ’72.

Honorary Alumni Status- David Loebsack

David Loebsack, professor of political science since 1982 who retired upon being elected to Congress in November, 2006. We would like to present this at the fall meeting so that he can be invited to serve on a panel at Homecoming

Student Assistance:

Sheila Kruse Boyce ’85 reported for the committee. Jayne Swanson, Director of Career Services provided hand outs to share with the Board on what was happening in Career Services. Part of the handouts focused on Externships and Sheila passed around a sign up sheet for Board members to send thank you notes to the alumni who facilitated Externships this year.

Break: 3:40 p.m.

Alumni and College Advancement:

JR Holmes ’99 reported on behalf of this committee in Mark Van Etten’s absence. As RJ reported on the Annual Fund and the phonation, there was a question raised about the cost and if it is a good return on the dollar. Peter assured the Board that this is program generates a good return on the money spent.

Joe took a moment to congratulate the committees for the work that they done during the break out sessions.

The list of members who complete their terms at the Annual Fall meeting was reviewed and a list of nominees was distributed by Ruth. She also gave each board member a nomination form and information where to find the form on the Alumni Webpage and encouraged board members to submit nominations by June.

Lisa Naaktgeboren brought up that this might a good time to consider changing the By-Laws regarding newly elected senior class Class Agents coming onto the Board. In recent years, those new agents have not attended meetings regularly. She suggested it might be better to fill this position with those who would be more active. The Alumni Board might consider structuring this like the Young Trustee and run a separate election in the senior class for the new Young Alumni Board representative. Current Alumni Board members and CASA Board members might conduct interviews and vote on one of the applicants to fill a three year term on the Alumni Board. This would give the board representation of younger alumni hopefully more committed.

Cornell College Alumni Association Board of Directors
Communications Committee Minutes
Friday, April 27, 2007

Members present: Lynn Ross Cope, ’87; Fred Holtz, ’86;
Anna-Doretta Dilley Riley, ’90; Allan Ruter, ’76 (chair); Todd Watson, ’93; Dan Wilson, ‘66

Members absent: R.K. Scott ’63; Kate Schlemmer Watson, ’95; Carrie Temm, ‘04

Staff liaisons present: Dee Ann Rexroat, Director of College Communications; Jennifer Boettger,

Advancement Services Director; Monica Davis, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni

1. Monica Davis: Review and discussion of CASA activities for 2006-2007

In addition to her review of CASA activities during the current academic year, Monica reported that CASA membership is at an all-time high: 13 CASA members will graduate in May, and returning and anticipated new members for next year have forced a change in meeting place to accommodate growth. Committee members agreed that CASA’s growth and upcoming tenth-year anniversary combine to warrant a special presentation and discussion by the full Board of Directors at an upcoming meeting. Monica also mentioned that, despite keeping a lower profile than usual this past academic year, the Alum Chum program will be re-launched during the 2007-2008 academic year.

2. Jennifer Boettger: Review and discussion of “Online Community” issues

Jen reported that usage of the online community continues to grow. 2800 alums are registered, up from 2500 before password security problems forced a “reinvitation” to all alumni. As a result of concerns registered by numerous users after passwords were included on mailing labels for The Cornell Report, new passwords—held only by Golden Parachute and no longer by The College—were issued. The number of registered alumni mentors is currently 38, up from 25 last quarter. A new photo gallery module will be installed into the website. The contract with Golden Parachute is up in 2008; as a result, other vendors will be evaluated and lessons learned will be addressed prior to the second “launch.”

3. Allan Ruter: Review of Alumni Association award nominees

After review of the following proposed awards recipients, Committee members confirmed the following slate (some of whom have been previously approved) to the full Board of Directors for approval:

4. Dee Ann Rexroat: Review and discussion of College website redesign

On August 13, The College’s new website will launch with 200 pages. Typically it takes two years for a complete update. A content management system will be implemented that will allow easier uploading of content within established policies of formatting. Currently, the design firm hired for the redesign is running focus group tests to determine the most appealing look. Dee Ann presented three possible design templates to Committee members for their review and response.

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MINUTES
Cornell College Alumni Board of Directors
Student Assistance Committee Meeting
Hedges Conference Room – Commons
April 27, 2007

Attendees: Sheila Kruse Boyce (chair); Carol Busch Telling; Mark Hudson, Jan Lansing Murphy, John Yeager. Cornell Staff: Sharon Grice, Jayne Swanson.

Meeting called to order at 10:45 a.m.

I. Admission Report – Sharon Grice

A. Legacy Phoning - Of the Legacy phone calls completed in the fall, six students have been accepted, and one has deposited so far. Sharon suggested that calls be made in the spring instead of the fall, because there are legacy students who are not discovered until the application process, and the calls might have more impact on decision-making. After discussion, it was decided that legacy phone calls should be made in both the Fall and the Spring. In the Fall, board members can let alumni parents know the college remembers their child and make a connection. In the Spring (Feb/March), board members can reconnect and hopefully impact the decision-making process at a key time.

B. Alumni Profiles - 150 alums are featured on the Alumni Profile site and Admissions suggests that admitted students connect with these alumni. If any board member is curious about the results of their email or phone interaction with prospective students, email Sharon and she will look it up for you.

The Send-Offs are held at the end of June or the first part of July, and may be held in a home or a club, but Admissions does not have funding to rent a location. Admissions is looking to the Alumni Board for volunteers or suggestions of alums to host the send offs. The Alumni Board requests that hosts are sent a draft invitation to approve BEFORE they are printed and mailed. This will assure that the invitations read the way the hosts want them to read and to help attain optimum participation.

A. Panel Discussions – Career Services sponsors panels and workshops throughout the school year, and this past year, nine Alumni participated four panels.

B. Externships – There were 25 applicants for Spring Break Externships this year, with 12 students doing a full program and 6 doing half to full-day information sessions. (Some students didn’t follow through.)

Of the 18 Externships/Info Sessions, four were hosted by three alums. The committee decided to write thank-yous not just to the Alumni who participated in panels and hosted externships, but also to non-Alumni hosts. The Committee signed up to write thank-yous, and the remaining hosts will be split among Board volunteers

The Committee requested that a list of Student Externship requests be sent each December (after it is compiled in the fall) to the entire Alumni Board, to see whether members have contacts in their network that might help provide connections.

C. Internships - Jayne did not yet know the total number of internships held this year. In 2006, approximately 130 internships were experienced, and she believes there were more in 2007. Internship participation has been growing steadily over the years, up from about 60 in 2002 when Jayne arrived.

D. The Future of Career Services - The Alumni Board believes Career Services is a key part of the Cornell experience, and would like to offer its support to find resources to make improvements. The Student Assistance Committee asked that Jayne and the appropriate colleagues (e.g., RJ Holmes, Alicia Russell, and VP for Student affairs, John Harp) DREAM about what a state-of-the-art, competitive Career Services Office would look like. Over the summer, they could look at Cornell’s peer colleges and identify benchmarks, and compile what is needed with respect to staffing, technology, location to be able to offer the most effective services possible for our students at Cornell.

Meeting adjourned at 11:58 a.m.

Respectfully submitted by Carol Telling & Sheila Boyce

Student Assistance Committee Member & Chair

5/3/07

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Alumni and College Advancement Committee Minutes

Friday, April 27, 2007

Present: RJ Holmes (Acting Chair), Andrea Herrera, Roger Stigers, Ruth Miller, Kristi Columbus, Mary Rettig

I. Fundraising and Stewardship