After successful pilot events in North Carolina last spring, MBU is continuing to host celebratory events for alumni, right where they are. In September, the destination for “An Evening with Mary Baldwin” was Texas.
“While the location selections are data driven, the heart of these events is relationship building,” said Amy Davenport, associate director of alumni engagement.
Alumni in Houston and Dallas reconnected with each other and heard updates about the dynamic work of the university over the past year. Paula Stephens Lambert ’65 hosted the Dallas event at her home, full of unique local art, and stocked her table with wine and delectable cheeses from her business, the Mozzarella Company. Houston attendees enjoyed cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a spectacular view of downtown at the Houston Club.
“It was a great joy to be with our alumni and friends in both Houston and Dallas recently,” said Charles “Chuck” Davis, vice president of university advancement. “In both places, we enjoyed great hospitality and felt a true energy and excitement in the air. It was palpable!”
President Pamela Fox, together with Davis and Davenport, presented on MBU initiatives including new programs in the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences; the growth of MBU Online; results of the recent alumni survey; increased alumni engagement programming; town-gown community connections; and MBU’s continuing athletics renaissance.
“An Evening with Mary Baldwin” in Houston featured cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a spectacular view of downtown at the Houston Club.
Alumni at the events represented a broad range of class years, with Houston attendees ranging from the Class of 1958 to 2015 and Dallas ranging from the Class of 1964 to 2019.
“I am convinced, now more than ever, that the story of Mary Baldwin will be best told through the voice of her alumni, and we are committed to ensure that it is indeed the case,” said Davis.
The events would not be possible without the support of Mary Baldwin graduates like Lambert and Cynthia Wier ’68, who served as an alumna partner in planning and encouraging attendance. Alumni Board President Jane Eng ’83 also supported events both in North Carolina and Texas by conducting extensive personal call campaigns, and Susan Nolan Palmer ’67, chair of the Board of Trustees’ Advancement Committee, helped the Office of Alumni Engagement craft the initiative behind these alumni engagement events.
More dates are in the works for later this year and next, with plans to travel to Atlanta in November; Orlando in January; Baltimore in February; and Washington, D.C., in April.