Pictured are members of the 2009-2010 Admissions Committee. Front row: Sarah Schott '97, Zhibin Wang '95, Stephen Rodriguez '02, Elissa Davis Hoffman '99. Back Row: Linda Fuerst, Barbara Lom '89, Paul Stevens '10, Wally Karst '56
The Admissions Committee of LUAA looks at ways to enhance university recruitment and admissions efforts through the effective engagement of alumni. It is especially concerned with determining ways alumni can increase the visibility and profile of Lawrence University for the target applicant pool. The committee works to support the university's efforts to attract a culturally, ethnically, demographically, and geographically diverse applicant pool.
Committee goals are to:
- Determine effective ways alumni can increase the visibility and profile of Lawrence University for the target applicant pool
- Develop and implement initiatives that utilize the professional and personal experiences and expertise of university alumni in the recruitment and admissions process
- Support the university’s efforts to attract a culturally, ethnically, demographically, and geographically diverse applicant pool
- Promote alumni participation in volunteer opportunities coordinated by the Admissions and/or Alumni Relations offices
History – 2006-2008
- LUAA board members conducted alumni phonathons during spring board meetings in 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007. The first three phonathons involved contacting alumni with children nearing college age to encourage them to consider Lawrence, and explain the alumni legacy ‘scholarship.’ The 2007 phonathon contacted alumni teachers to provide basic information about the Lawrence admissions process, application fee waivers, and to express appreciation for their efforts to share information about Lawrence with their students. Board members also solicited suggestions for how the board could better connect with alumni in this field. This information was used to help determine initial goals for a permanent admissions committee on the LUAA board.
- In response to interest from alumni in actively supporting the university’s admissions activities, and interest from Lawrence University President Jill Beck, the Alumni Association created a task force to explore opportunities and challenges for greater alumni involvement and support in the university’s formal admissions efforts. Goals included finding ways to increase opportunities for alumni involvement in admissions activities and increase diversity among the student applicant pool.
- In fall 2007, a standing Admissions Committee was launched as one of five permanent standing committees on the LUAA Board of Directors.
- In its first year, the committee worked in close coordination with the Admissions staff to develop a project that would result in an alumni “letter bank” for use by the Admissions Office. The letters, written by alumni who have pursued various careers after leaving Lawrence, would be sent to admitted students to help them see how a Lawrence education formed a foundation for a successful career path. Committee members developed a format for the letters as guidelines. Letters from two alumni, Sarah Schott ’97 and Michael Cisler, ’78, were sent to admitted students in spring of 2007. The committee has identified a number of alumni for solicitation of additional letters to provide the admissions office with additional options, including options for admitted students expressing specific career interests.
Admissions Committee Members (to be updated soon)
Sarah Schott '97
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Stephen Rodriguez C'02
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Elissa Davis Hoffman ’99
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Zhibin Wang ’95
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