Excellence in alumni relations earns Ohio Case Award

By Breana Krotz

The College of Education's Society of Alumni and Friends (SAF) received a Seal of Excellence Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) during the 2002 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards Program. Ohio University received the award for excellence in Alumni Relations for the development and success of the SAF Spring Conference.

The Circle of Excellence Awards Program for Alumni Relations, Communications and Development distributed 337 awards among 196 institutions in 2002. Seven hundred and twenty institutions submitted more than 3,700 entries in categories that covered institutional advancement programs, publications, periodicals, new media and design and photography.

In 1983, the College of Education formed a constituency society with the purpose to assist and promote the welfare of the college in the pursuit of its goals. Along with the Society of Alumni and Friends, a spring conference for students was created. The purpose of the conference is to connect alumni and students on a personal level, while offering student workshops, mock employer interviews and successful teaching tools for future careers. In addition to the spring conference there will be a mini-conference Nov. 15 for early graduating seniors.

"We are hoping to continually increase the level of student participation at the spring conference. Additionally, we would like the College of Education, as well as the College of Arts and Sciences, to encourage students to attend the conference," said Judith Johnson, director of heritage, traditions and alumni tours.

Breana Krotz is a student writer with University Communications and Marketing.