New alumni connections and donor generosity truly inspirational

In my first year of service as the senior director of development and alumni relations for the College of Business Administration, I have had the opportunity to visit and reconnect with alumni and stakeholders throughout Michigan and the United States – in your places of business, homes, and in various other settings.

I find it so enjoyable to share the highlights and successes of our students, faculty, and staff. As our new dean, Mike Fields, has so poignantly exemplified since his arrival on April 1, 2006, the College of Business Administration is a special place. The opportunity I have to reconnect alumni with their alma mater is truly a pleasure. I have built relationships with hundreds of alumni. The stories of your families and careers have humbled me. Your successes have inspired me and others. Many of you find time in your busy schedules to volunteer for Dialogue Days, Dow Corning Executive in Residence, or our mentoring programs. For some of you it is a short drive; others don’t think twice about flying across country.

CBA is a special place

The College of Business Administration is special. We are growing in student admissions, growing in faculty research, and becoming increasingly competitive in our graduate programs. CBA alumni often tell me how impressed they are with the stature and ingenuity of our programs, students, and faculty. Some of you have become interested in recruiting our students. Others express interest in our faculty research or in partnering on research and consulting ventures. The common theme is your innate interest in the success and prosperity of a college that is on the rise.

Voigtmans’ commitment
featured at luncheon

On April 22, 2006, at the annual CMU Scholarships and Endowments Luncheon, I had the pleasure along with more than 300 scholarship donors, recipients, and their family members to hear from a couple whose passion for CMU led to a major financial commitment.
This year’s keynote address by Jon, ’84, and Terri, ’85, Voigtman, was an inspiration to all present. The Voigtmans, from Summit, New Jersey, met as students at CMU and married shortly after graduation. Last year, after several years of reconnecting with the university, they made a commitment to support the College of Business Administration with an endowed scholarship.

Your support is greatly valued

As we near the completion of the New Vision of Excellence Campaign, I thank everyone who has given to the College of Business Administration. Your continued support is immeasurable. Many of you financially support the college each year through our direct mail or telemarketing programs. Your annual gifts continue to provide discretionary support that allows us to provide students and faculty added-value opportunities that might not otherwise exist. Many others make major commitments to the college by supporting scholarships, research, and endowed faculty positions and programs.

For those of you who I have not yet had the opportunity to meet, I look forward to connecting with you soon.

If you would like more information on the New Vision of Excellence Campaign or the College of Business Administration, please visit our Web site at vision.cmich.edu or e-mail me at merch1jd@cmih.edu.

Joshua Merchant
Senior Director of Development
College of Business Administration