Published: September 26, 2009 11:35 pm      

UPJ reaching out to reconnect with alumni

JOHNSTOWN — There was a time when the word “fractured” was used to describe the relationship between Pitt-Johnstown and its alumni.

Now, administrators at the Richland Township campus are working hard to ensure that term never again rings true.

Their efforts were evident during this weekend’s expanded homecoming festivities. And the attempt to reach out to the school’s 18,519 alumni continues year-round, extending beyond homecoming and far beyond the campus’ borders.

“Instead of expecting alumni simply to come to campus for things, we’re going out to the alumni,” said Bob Knipple, UPJ’s executive director of external relations.

The push to reconnect with past graduates began in earnest when Jem Spectar took over as UPJ president three years ago.

At the time, Spectar said he was making alumni a top priority.

There is general consensus that, in the years prior to Spectar’s arrival, UPJ had a deteriorating relationship with its graduates. At one point in the late 1990s, the homecoming parade was canceled due to a lack of participation.

For a few years earlier this decade, administrators abandoned the “homecoming” title altogether, though the school still hosted some “Fall Fest” events.

While it is clear that much work remains, the situation is improving.

“I think (Spectar) is reaching out,” said Jeff Philibin, vice president of Pitt-Johnstown Alumni Association. “I think he is sincere.”

Knipple cites a wide variety of initiatives since Spectar’s arrival, including:

• Making alumni a part of the school’s strategic plan and promoting several graduates to leadership positions.

• Creating a “distinguished alumni award.”

• Introducing a new alumni publication titled “Pitt-Johns-town Magazine.”

• Using the Web to communicate with alumni, including the introduction of an online interface where graduates can update their information; subscription-based “e-mail blasts” for alums; and a Facebook page.

• Creating the campus’ first Athletics Hall of Fame.

• Conducting receptions in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., for alumni who are living in those areas.

• Reintroducing homecoming. This year, homecoming included a reception for alumni Friday night, along with a fireworks display.

“We had probably 500 people here for the fireworks,” Knipple said.

Heavy rain moved in Saturday, which was supposed to be the biggest day for homecoming festivities.

While periodic downpours and cool temperatures put a damper on the atmosphere, many events continued under a tent and indoors including musical performances and a presentation by UPJ’s resident “mad scientist,” Dave Willey.

The homecoming parade – restored for the first time in years to its traditional route along Theatre Drive and Schoolhouse Road – went on as planned with marching bands and floats.

“More organizations participated in the parade this year,” said Gladys Go, president of Pitt-Johnstown Alumni Association. “We doubled the number of floats.”

Go added that the association’s membership is increasing.

In the past, she said, “we were just staying alive. But now we’re growing.”

All schools – including UPJ, the University of Pittsburgh’s largest regional campus – depend on alumni for monetary contributions. So courting graduates makes obvious financial sense.

But Pitt-Johnstown administrators say they’re also seeking something else: A deeper connection between former and current students.

That is being realized in part through “RealWorld Interest Groups,” where students who are interested in a certain field – including business, public service, health sciences, technology and teaching – are linked with alumni and community leaders.

Such programs are given a boost by the fact that more than 7,000 UPJ alumni live within a 75-mile radius of the school.

“We have the benefit of many of our alums within driving distance,” Philibin said.