KEEPING IN TOUCH

Alumni association begins alumni directory project

Alumni of East Carolina University have many ways to connect: reunions, networking events, e-mails and especially social media. But soon there will be a new platform that’s larger than all of these.

The East Carolina Alumni Association is partnering with Harris Connect to produce a printed and digital alumni directory called “ECU Alumni Today” later this year.

The goal is to compile a comprehensive updated record of all alumni so that they can connect no matter where they are living and working, according to Heath Bowman, associate vice chancellor for alumni relations.

While there are more than 165,000 living alumni of ECU around the world, not all of them have updated contact information in university records. In addition, ECU alumni span multiple generations, who generally prefer different ways of keeping in touch, so not all of them use social media. This directory will create a fuller picture of what our alumni are doing, Bowman says.

The alumni association prints directories approximately every five years. The last one was printed in 2010.

Alumni are encouraged to update their information when prompted between May and July. Harris Connect will be mailing letters or postcards, emailing and calling alumni. They’ll be asking for name, mailing address, email address, phone number, place of work, job title, etc. Alumni may choose not to list some of these items or opt out of the directory if they wish. Alumni can also personalize their entry with photos and essays if they wish.

Pirates can be assured that requests from Harris Connect are legitimate and that their information will be used only for this purpose, Bowman says. Only alumni can purchase a directory.

The directory can be purchased at the same time contact information is updated. The directory will be released in late November. Alumni can purchase the full directory in either paperback, hardback or on CD. Alumni will also have the option of purchasing a CD with only their classmates from five surrounding class years. With the purchase of any form of the directory, alumni will also be able to purchase an alumni association membership. Proceeds will fund alumni association programs and services.

For more information, visit PirateAlumni.com/2016Directory or contact the Alumni Center at 800-ECU-GRAD (252-328-4723) or ecualumni@ecu.edu.