AFTERLIFE
Once
again, I find myself agreeing with our Class Marshal, Dr. Urquijo-Ruiz. In particular, her notes on Trinity
relationships and whether they will end or continue strike a chord with me. My wife and I met at Trinity, dated there,
and were married in my senior year. Yes,
we’re still together. In fact, some of
you met her working at the Alumni table for Countdown to Commencement (she was
the nice one – I was the other one).
Not
all of my friendships from Trinity have continued, though. I’ve made new ones, many with Trinity alumni;
I’ve kept some; and many have just died from disuse. I was asked by a member of our class at
Countdown about how to stay in touch with Trinity and Trinity people. It struck me as a really good question to
ask, and it prompted my thinking.
As
Alumni Sponsor, my first reaction and answer – as you might expect – was to
connect with the Alumni Association.
Well, of course that’s a good idea, but not very nuanced. If you find yourself in one of the many
cities with a chapter of the Association, by all means you should attend events
and get to know your fellow alums. It
really doesn’t matter whether they’re members of your graduating class. You’ll find you have a lot in common just
because you have the “Trinity experience.”
If
you wind up in an outpost of civilization without a chapter, it doesn’t mean
there aren’t Trinity alumni in town (or in the same country). The Alumni Office can help put you in touch
with them, and you’ll have access to the on-line directory to find old friends
and meet new ones. If you invite Trinity
people to meet for drinks or an activity, you may be surprised to find others
were waiting for someone to ask them.
Don’t wait. Ask. Maybe you’ll wind up forming a chapter of
your own.
My
wife and I represented Trinity at college fairs when we lived in the Dallas
area. Great fun, and a real help to
Trinity. Other alumni volunteer to
mentor Trinity students and recent graduates.
Some help our students and alumni find jobs. You can (and should) return to Trinity
occasionally for Alumni Weekend. Go to
your class reunions. Get involved in
Trinity projects. Post notes on Alumnet
for members of your class to see. Talk
with admitted students in your city and tell them about your Trinity
experiences.
There’s
a large network out there in the post-campus world, made up of people who can
help you with your life and career. And
there are others who need your help.
Trinity is the glue that binds that network together, and you’re part of
it for the rest of your life.
Geary Reamey
Alumni Sponsor
Alumni Sponsor
