Dear fellow alumni,

In this season of thanks, I am reminded of the many ways in which alumni give to American University. Our alma mater benefits every day from the support of alumni who volunteer in classrooms, serve as mentors to current students and young alumni, and give generously to support scholarships and our institution at large. 

Among my goals as your president has been to leverage the alumni network to support students in recognizing how we are more similar than we are different. To this end, I’m very grateful that, especially during times of division, our university looks for ways to bring together the community. The Civic Life, our newest campus initiative, promotes civic engagement through special events (including a community dinner hosted the night after Election Day) and opportunities for learning and reflection.

As part of The Civic Life, President Alger and members of the community also came together for the first Week of Kindness, an opportunity to be in the spirit of connection with and support of one another. Hosted last week, it coincided with World Kindness Day and included pop-ups with the president, a food drive supporting our on-campus food pantry (The Market), religious events, and more.

Speaking of civic engagement, many of our fellow alumni were recently elected to public office, something in which we can all take pride. Sarah McBride, SPA/BA ’13, will be the first transgender Member of Congress, joining four other alumni who serve in the US House of Representatives.

I hope you also heard that our men’s basketball team played in front of the Obamas this month, earning a victory against the Harvard Crimson at home in Bender Arena. Also in attendance for that great performance were a record number of prospective students attending the Office of Enrollment’s “Sunday at AU” preview day. I heard Bender was rocking with excitement generated by both the former president and first lady and our impressive basketball team. Truly, there is always something exciting happening at AU!

Finally, Giving Tuesday is coming up. It’s December 3 this year. Please consider how you can support the university philanthropically as a way to show solidarity with our students and the entire AU community. And, as a reminder, gifts can be designated to any area of campus.

Gratefully,

LaTanya Sothern, SOC/BA ’92