In 2008-09 we had the opportunity to meet with a great number of alumni: staff in the Office of Institutional Advancement met individually with over 1,000 alumni, while staff in the Office of Alumni Relations organized 29 alumni events for nearly 2,000 attendees. Perhaps you participated in one of these gatherings. Often during these interactions, we would hear a familiar question: “How can I help?”

In addition to our involvement with alumni, we engage with seniors each year during their senior giving campaign as they prepare for the student-to-alumni transition. During these visits, we hear a similar question: “What is expected of me as a member of the William Jewell alumni community?”

With this in mind, we have compiled a top 10 list of the ways alumni can help William Jewell. Mark the ones you already do! Circle the ones you’d like to try! And, above all, celebrate your heritage as an alumnus of William Jewell College.

1. Ensure everyone you know is aware that you attended William Jewell.

2. Wear William Jewell sweatshirts, T-shirts, and other clothing items — especially in large public gatherings. Visit our online bookstore and add to your wardrobe: williamjewell.bncollege.com.

3. Recruit students in your community to attend William Jewell and recommend them through our online referral system
(referral.jewell.edu). This process should take two minutes or less, and afterwards we’ll keep you informed via email on
how your referred student is progressing through the admissions process.

4. Don’t be a stranger. Join Cardinal Community (jewellalumni.com) and keep your classmates and the College updated with your current contact information.

5. Give. Provide an annual gift to the Jewell Fund or to another area of interest, and encourage others to do the same. Include Jewell in your estate plan. Visit givetojewell.com for other ideas.

6. Double your gift. Do you work for a company that matches charitable gifts? What a great benefit! If you’re not sure this benefit is available to you, visit matchinggifts.com/jewell to find out.

7. Volunteer. There are many ways to get involved through service to your alma mater. Visit jewellalumni.com/volunteer to view a few of these opportunities.

8. Employ a Jewell student and/or graduate, or create a summer job or internship at your workplace. Join the alumni group on linkedin.com and help Jewell graduates network into a new job/career.

9. Stay informed. Read Achieve magazine and Cardinal Connection e-newsletter regularly (email us alumni@william.jewell.edu if you’re not currently receiving Cardinal Connection). Visit jewell.edu often. Follow Jewell news through Facebook (facebook.com/jewellalumni) and/or Twitter (twitter.com/jewellalumni).

10. Visit campus more often than at Homecoming. A great resource for plugging into the many Jewell events available for you to attend is our “A Place for All Seasons” web site: www.jewell.edu.

How many have you completed? Do you have additions? This list is certainly not exhaustive – visit jewellalumni.com/waystohelpjewell to view more ways to positively benefit Jewell. And add your own ideas while you’re there!