alumni guidebook - Widener University

Widener Leadership Works
ALUMNI
GUIDEBOOK
Dear Widener Graduates:
Congratulations on your graduation from Widener
University! The hard work and dedication you devoted to
your education enables you to take charge of your destiny
and lead with your passion. As a Widener University
alumnus/a, you join others worldwide who are making
a difference in their community and careers. One thing
I know about our alumni is they are resilient, engaged,
and proud of their achievements. Now that you have
joined their ranks, you are part of this strong and vibrant
group that stands 56,000+ strong. While your time
with the university as a student was relatively short, your
relationship with the university as an alumnus/a will span
the rest of your lifetime.
All graduates of the university are automatically enrolled
as members of the Widener-PMC Alumni Association,
a dues-free alumni organization that offers a variety of
benefits and services to the entire alumni population.
The goal of the organization is to keep alumni connected
to the university and to each other through a variety of
mutually rewarding pathways.
Connect with fellow alumni, faculty, and current
students in person by joining us on campus each fall
for Homecoming/Family Weekend. You can also
connect off campus. We have more than 20 regional
alumni chapters around the country—from Alaska to
Florida—that host a variety of activities throughout the
year and bring a little bit of Widener to wherever life’s
travels take you. You can also interact with us virtually
on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to share
your stories and follow ours. You can use the online
tools at alumni.widener.edu to update your contact
information, look up a classmate, submit a class note for
Widener Magazine, and much more.
Volunteering is a rewarding and much appreciated way
to stay connected—consider driving a golf cart during
Homecoming/Family Weekend, planning events in one
of the regional chapters, or accepting a leadership role on
the Alumni Council (the governing body of the WidenerPMC Alumni Association). There are many ways for you
to give of your time and talents, both on- and off-campus.
We would like you to keep an eye out for fellow alumni
who are doing something extraordinary that will
bring pride and recognition back to the university and
nominate them for our bi-annual Alumni Awards.
Nominations are open year-round, and
award descriptions and nomination
forms can be found online by visiting
alumni.widener.edu.
We love meeting with our alumni in
person. Feel free to visit the Office of
Alumni Engagement located on the 3rd
floor of Old Main on the Main Campus
in Chester to ask questions or just to say
hello! Most importantly, I wish you the
best in your new adventures and look
forward to welcoming you back home
(#HomeatWU) in the near future!
Best Regards,
Dr. Tina Phillips ’82, ’98, ’03
Executive Director of Alumni Engagement,
Widener University
THERE ARE MANY WAYS
Join the Widener Pride Net
Widener Pride Net (WPN) is a private online community
of Widener-PMC alumni. Go to alumni.widener.edu to
become a member. Once you join, you can take advantage
of the various alumni benefits, such as access to our
comprehensive online alumni directory. You can also
update your contact information to receive e-mail updates,
the Widener Magazine, and event mailings.
Widener takes pride in your success and happiness!
Share your good news with your alma mater through
the Class Notes on Widener Pride Net. Class Notes are
published in the Widener Magazine.
TO STAY CONNECTED…
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and More
• The Widener University Alumni Facebook page is updated
regularly and will keep you connected to happenings on
campus and beyond.
• Boost your career networking power on LinkedIn.
• Twitter, Instagram, and other social media outlets are
convenient, fun ways to follow what’s happening at Widener.
Join your Regional Alumni Chapter
Wherever you go, you can always find your PRIDE!
Widener’s Regional Alumni Chapter Network provides alumni
across the United States the opportunity to reengage with one
another through a variety of social events. These events span
many interests, from sports to the performing arts, and we
are looking to add more types of activities. We’d love to hear
suggestions from you.
All regional alumni chapters have volunteer leadership
opportunities. The size and demands of the regional chapter
determine the number of annual events and number of alumni
volunteers needed to manage the chapter. Chapter leaders
generally meet several times a year, either virtually or in person,
and are recognized for their time and hard work through a
variety of volunteer benefits.
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer with your
existing local chapter, or if you are in a region that does not
currently have a chapter and you would like to start one,
please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement by calling
610-499-1154 or e-mailing alumnioffice@widener.edu.
Active Regional Alumni Chapters
• Alaska
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Baltimore
• California
• Central Pennsylvania
• Colorado (coming soon!)
• District of Columbia
• Florida—East Coast
• Florida—Orlando
• Florida—West Coast
•G
reater Philadelphia
(includes 5 surrounding
counties, South Jersey, and
Wilmington, DE)
• New England
• New York City/North Jersey
• Northern Maryland
• Puerto Rico
• Texas
• Washington State
For the latest Regional Alumni Chapter events and happenings,
please visit alumni.widener.edu/upcomingevents.
States that reflect Widener Pride.*
107
9
36
9
47
51
50
24
36
3
18
57
50
24
141
507
56
53
185
27
32
Puerto Rico 9
Alaska 10
Hawaii 15
*as of March 2016; does not include law alumni
375
619
44
221
24
52
376
7,176
3,733
1,333
Washington, D.C. 33
391
101
18
Virgin Island 2
22,098
192
167
26
233
40
87
7
16
82
785
281
33
1,229
Did you know…
That more than 200+ alumni
Widener University alumni can be found
through-out the United States and the world.
From sporting events and theater shows to
happy hours and family outings, a wide variety
of activities are planned to attract all Widener
Pride alumni. Alumni regional volunteers plan
events in their area—the number and types
of events are dependent upon the number of
alumni in that region. Events can range from
small casual affairs to large structured events.
Scan the map to the left for the total number of
alumni living in each state.
volunteer their time and
talent with the Office of
Alumni Engagement?
Volunteering is a great way for alumni to stay involved with
Widener University after graduation. Alumni volunteers
assist with on- and off-campus alumni events, alumni student
mentoring events, alumni family events, on- and off-campus
service events, and other options throughout the year. Widener
alumni volunteers are always there to lend a hand when needed
and to share in the fun of on- and off-campus engagement. If
interested in becoming a volunteer, contact the Office of Alumni
Engagement at alumnioffice@widener.edu or 610-499-1154.
Chester Community Outreach
The Alumni Council serves as the governing body of the
Alumni Association. The Alumni Council is comprised of
the Executive Committee and those alumni serving as a
chairperson of any alumni chapter, alumni committee, or
alumni affinity group. There is no maximum or minimum
number of alumni representatives. Alumni Council meets
three times per year. For information on joining, please
contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at 610-499-1154
or alumnioffice@widener.edu.
Widener is committed to contributing to the vitality
and well being of the communities it serves through
experiential learning, service learning, educational
initiatives, economic development, and community
building. If you are interested in volunteering, check
out Widener’s Civic Engagement website:
www.widener.edu/civic_engagement.
Alumni Affinity Groups
Affinity groups are groups of alumni, students, and
friends who are drawn together based on common
interests and shared experiences. Interacting in person
and virtually, affinity groups encompass all divisions,
graduating classes, and regions, and reflect extraordinary
diversity. Becoming part of an alumni affinity group will
provide various opportunities to choose how alumni want
to be connected with students and other alumni who
share common interests and shared values.
Widener Alumni Admissions Network
Alumni share their time and talents with Widener’s
Admissions Office to assist in the recruitment of
prospective students by attending college fairs in their
local area or contacting accepted students to share their
Widener University experiences. For more information,
contact Alumni Engagement at 610-499-1154 or the Office
of Admissions at 610-499-4126.
GET INVOLVED!
Alumni Council
No matter how far you go,
your Pride will always welcome you home…
Homecoming/Family Weekend
When is Homecoming?
Volunteer to be a part of Homecoming!!!
Homecoming takes place every October on the
Main Campus of Widener University in Chester, PA.
The Office of Alumni Engagement is looking for
volunteers to help with Homecoming. With a multitude
of weekend activities, we have a variety of volunteer
opportunities available to suit any schedule and interest.
How will I find out about Homecoming?
Make sure to keep your information up to date on
Widener Pride Net so that we can mail and e-mail
you information. You can also check Facebook and the
Widener website for dates.
Can I pay at the door for events?
Absolutely, but we strongly encourage pre-registration
for all events that require payment to ensure proper
space and meal planning.
Where can I stay overnight?
The Office of Alumni Engagement encourages alumni to
stay at the Best Western Plus Philadelphia Airport South
Hotel that is adjacent to campus and is the designated
hotel for the Homecoming/Family Weekend. However,
alumni are welcome to stay at other hotels.
Are guests invited?
Yes, spouses, children, other family members, and
friends are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Sample volunteer opportunities include:
• Welcome/Information Hub Table
• Event Registration Desks
• Golf Cart Drivers
• Pride Tailgate (food tent, beverage tent, and ticket tent)
• PMC Museum
Alumni Benefits and Services
Alumni Insurance Program
Frequent Sleeper Program
The Widener University Alumni Insurance Program is a
convenient source for health, auto, and home insurance for
alumni and their family members. Get more information on
these insurance plans by visiting www.theaip.com/Widener
or call American Insurance Administrators at 800-922-1245.
The Best Western Plus Philadelphia Airport South Hotel at
Widener University, located at 1450 Providence Avenue just
across the street from campus, offers Alumni Association
members great benefits. If you are visiting campus and need
a place to stay for the night you may participate in Widener’s
Frequent Sleeper Program, which entitles you to a special
discounted alumni rate, free nights, and other great perks.
To apply for the program, download the application form at
alumni.widener.edu/discountsandinsurance and submit directly
to the hotel. Then make your room reservation by calling
610-872-8100 or online at www.bwwidenerhotel.com.
Alumni Car & Home Insurance — Liberty Mutual
Widener University alumni can get
special discounted rates on auto
and home insurance from a trusted
company with close to 100 years of
service. Get details and a free rate
quote from Liberty Mutual at www.libertymutual.com/widener.
Discounts and savings are available where state laws and
regulations allow and may vary by state. To the extent
permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten.
Not all applicants may qualify.
Career Services
Career Services offers life-long career counseling and
job search advising to alumni. Alumni are encouraged
to make individual appointments with a career services
counselor to discuss career and job search needs. For more
information, visit www.widener.edu/careerservices and click on
the “Alumni” tab on the left-hand navigation.
Personalized License Plates
Show the world your PRIDE!
The Office of Alumni Engagement
offers personalized Widener
University license plates. The license
plate program is offered for the states of Pennsylvania and
Maryland. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni
Engagement at 610-499-1154 or alumnioffice@widener.edu.
Online University Bookstore
Order books, textbooks, computer software, clothing,
and gifts from the Widener University Bookstore at
www.bkstr.com/widenerestore/home.
Requesting Transcripts
To request a transcript, please contact the Office of
the Registrar by calling 610-499-4161 or visit
alumni.widener.edu/transcripts.
Best Western Plus
Philadelphia Airport
South Hotel at
Widener University
Diploma Display
Display your Widener University diploma proudly in a
frame that allows you to slip the diploma in through the
back of the frame without tools or hassles. At no time
will you have to surrender your diploma. The Widener
University-PMC Alumni Association benefits from the
sale of these frames, and you can feel confident that your
diploma will be preserved for a lifetime. To order online,
simply visit www.ocm.com/WDN/Diploma_Frames.
For more information, contact the Office of Alumni
Engagement at 610-499-1154 or alumnioffice@widener.edu.
Alumni Wolfgram Memorial Library Card
To obtain your ID card, first visit Lipka Hall, located at 14th
and Potter Streets, to have your photo taken and ID card
printed. You will then be asked to take your new ID card
to the circulation desk inside the Wolfgram Memorial
Library, located at 15th and Walnut Streets, to have a
unique barcode number added to the back. Entrance to
the library requires you to swipe your alumni card and
sign the register. Upon your first visit to the library, a
circulation staff member will assist you by updating your
patron record for borrowing, which will allow you to
borrow up to 10 books for a period of 28 days, as well as
one renewal per book. Alumni are also welcome to use
databases while in the library.
Alumni of the university are welcome to use the
Wolfgram Memorial Library, located on the Main
Campus in Chester, so long as they have an official
Alumni Wolfgram Memorial Library ID Card, which
is necessary to access the building and borrow materials.
Before coming to campus to get your ID card, please
call ahead to check the operating hours of Lipka Hall
(610-499-4161) and the Wolfgram Memorial Library
(610-499-4067). Hours are subject to change by
semester and holidays.
Replacement Diploma
To request a replacement diploma, complete the
online request form at alumni.widener.edu/diploma. A
replacement diploma costs $35 and takes 3–5 business
days after payment is processed. For more information,
contact the Office of the Registrar at 610-499-4161.
Alumni Awards
Outstanding Alumnus Award
Alumni Service Award
The Outstanding Alumnus Award is awarded to
alumni who have brought honor, recognition,
and distinction to their alma mater through
service to their community, their profession, and/
or by honors received, service rendered, or other
accomplishments.
Service awards are granted for volunteer service
to the institution as a whole, to a particular sector
(major) or concentration within the college, and/or to
one’s profession where his/her education at Widener/
PMC was prime to providing the service. This award
shall be given as appropriate, and once receiving it
shall not be cause for not receiving it again.
R. Kelso Carter Award
This award is given annually to an individual other
than a graduate of Widener University who, in the
opinion of the Alumni Association, has brought
honor to the university through his/her acts and
accomplishments. This award is a token of the
appreciation of the laudable contribution to the
university community.
John L. Geoghegan Alumni Citizenship Award
This award is given annually in the memory of John
L. Geoghegan ‘63 to an alumnus/alumna who has
brought honor to the university through academic
achievement, demonstrated leadership capabilities,
and community service.
For information on the nomination process,
please visit alumni.widener.edu/alumniawards.
Office of Alumni Engagement
One University Place, Chester, PA 19013-5792
www.widener.edu
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