Carolina's Alumni Tradition
Posted on March 1, 1991When in 1913, 22 men came together in Columbus, Ohio to form the Association of Alumni Secretaries, not surprisingly, Carolina was represented. And when the first meeting of the American Alumni Council was held in 1927, it took place in Chapel Hill on our campus. Twice one of my predecessors, J. Maryon (Spike) Saunders ’25, served as the national president of the American Alumni Council.
Soon after the celebration of the 75th anniversary of professional alumni work, called Columbus II, plans began for the establishment of a new alumni professionals organization. In July 1989, the Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE) held its charter meeting in Washington, D.C. Bob Forman, Executive Director of The University of Michigan Alumni Association, was elected as the first CAAE president, and I was elected vice president. Happily, today there are a number of women alumni directors who are also members of the CAAE. What brings us together as chief executive officers of self-governed alumni associations is not only a shared philosophy about how alumni can best serve their alma mater and their fellow alumni, but also our recognition that we have a common set of professional concerns and interests.
Among the institutions whose alumni association chief executive officer is a member of the CAAE are many of the larger public institutions, including the universities of Michigan, Ohio State, Kansas, Wisconsin, California, Texas and Virginia as well as some large private institutions such as Stanford. When we meet, we discuss issues that are common to large associations, such as tax matters, postal rates, insurance, and personnel concerns, but we also take the opportunity to build alliances with other associations that are committed to advancing higher education.
At a recent meeting we heard not only from Dick Schultz, Executive Director of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but also from the Vice President and General Counsel of the American Council on Education (ACE) . Presiding as this year’s president of the CAAE, I couldn’t help but marvel at how special is this unique organization of alumni professionals. The concept of alumni coming together under their own volition to serve both their institution and each other is an important distinction. The sense of ownership over their associations that our volunteer leaders take is rather remarkable and is largely responsible for the growing sense of empowerment that alumni are demonstrating at Carolina and elsewhere.
These are critical times for American higher education. It is important that all who understand that our system of higher education is the envy of the world recognize and address the challenges facing higher education. And, while funding is one important issue, there is increasing evidence that the public’s declining support for higher education reflects their growing concern about whether higher education is adequately addressing society’s pressing needs. The public remains concerned about the real and perceived abuses in research and intercollegiate athletics and the rapid escalation of college costs. They worry that the quality of undergraduate teaching and student life are suffering as our appetite for research monies grows. The public is subjected to distressing news from too many of our most respected campuses — racism, fraternity excesses, campus crime, alcohol and drug abuse, and challenges to free speech.
Clearly, American higher education must recognize the fish bowl in which we now work. The public’s demand for accountability will continue to grow. Alumni have the opportunity to help their institutions address these growing challenges. As former students and the products of our alma mater, alumni have an important and legitimate role to play in assuring that the reputation of our institution is not jeopardized. While university presidents, faculties, and governing boards come and go, the alumni remain. Alumni can serve as the conscience of the institution and protector of its values and traditions.
Alumni associations do this best when they inform and involve our former students. And those of us who are active in the Council of Alumni Association Executives have found that self-governed alumni associations have a noteworthy record of providing the programs, publications, events, services, and activities that encourage and inspire alumni to be full partners in helping their alma
mater.
We at Carolina are part of this long and distinguished tradition of alumni self-governance. Our university faces unique challenges which provide exciting opportunities to play even more significant roles, not only in helping to advance Carolina but in supporting all of higher education.
Yours at Carolina,
Douglas S. Dibbert ’70
