Good alumni relations are key to universities and colleges winning support from their graduates. With reference to social capital theory, an important problem in establishing strong alumni relations is how to turn alumni resources, an important university social network, into productive, public, and abundant capital. Based on the established…

As an educational leadership department chair or college of education dean you are increasingly facing the need to cut budgets and try to develop funds to keep your academic programs afloat. The use of oral history with your education alumni can serve as a way to bridge and remind both the institution and the former graduates of the value the…

This qualitative research study was designed as an exploration of the phenomena of alumni non-donors of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Successfully securing private voluntary support is one of the most critical challenges for higher education institutions as traditional sources of financial support diminish, and alumni…

This study examined how the role expectations, responsibilities toward fundraising, and professional relationships by the vice president of institutional advancement influenced commitment to the institution. A qualitative analysis was conducted across the mid-Atlantic region by interviewing community college vice presidents of institutional…

American higher education has never been more expensive. Its continued excellence and accessibility depends even more today on charitable subsidy. As previous beneficiaries of that charitable subsidy, alumni are the most logical benefactor of its sustenance. The relatively few alumni who can give most generously make the difference in the success…

"A Guide to Fundraising at Historically Black Colleges and Universities" is a comprehensive, research-based work that brings the best practices and expertise of seminal professionals to the larger Black college environment and beyond. Drawing on data-driven advice from interviews with successful Black college fundraisers and private sector…

An interview with Philip Kotler, the Harold T. Martin Professor of Marketing at Northwestern University, is presented. Three approaches to marketing are identified: product-oriented, hard-sell, and building satisfaction in a long-term clientele. (MLW)

Alumni media experts were asked to donate their time and talents to the Wittenberg fund raising campaign. A Communications Advisory Committee was formed and a comprehensive public relations plan was proposed to penetrate media in selected areas. Some committee suggestions included faculty interviews, editorial support, public service time. (MLW)

Telephone surveys are faster and only slightly more expensive than surveying by mail. One successful effort involved planning, setting objectives, studying market research techniques, drafting a questionnaire, using computers when feasible, sending a presurvey mailing, doing the calling, and preparing a final report. (MSE)

In a panel format, experienced college publications editors and development professionals discussed their responses to three scenarios describing clashes between alumni magazine staff and development officers: writing donor profiles; reporting negative campus news; and publishing campaign materials in the alumni magazine. Excerpts of the…

Suggestions are offered to the college alumni editor for making an interview with the institution's chief executive officer (CEO) easier and more productive. Recommendations stress the importance of attitude, punctuality, preparation, use of listening skills, and professional demeanor. (MSE)