My dear fellow Colonials –

This is my last message to you as head of alumni relations and annual giving at GW. My last day at GW in this position is this Friday, June 8. Come August 1st, I will be joining the University of Southern California as head of its alumni relations program and alumni association.

It has been my honor and privilege to work at GW’s Alumni House for the past four years. In that time I hope you have seen an improvement in and an expansion of the programs, benefits, and services we offer to the GW alumni community. We have initiated reunions, a young alumni network, programs for students, expanded regional programming, and several new benefits for alumni, including access to Gelman Library’s online resources and online transcripts. What’s more, I think we have developed a perception at GW that alumni are a vital resource that must be nurtured. We have had similar success in the GW Annual Fund, expanding our direct marketing program, upgrading our student-run telephone center, and initiating a new leadership annual giving program. All these efforts are crucial to GW’s continued progress.

These efforts, of course, require the assistance of many hands. My heartfelt thanks to the staff in alumni relations and annual giving, especially to the world-class team of current and former senior managers – Raina Lenney, Andrew Kaufteil, Stacey Martin, Jason Miller, Joe Bondi, Seth Rosenzweig, Nic Katona, Kevin Corbett, Elaine Douglas, and Kelly Bosma – without whom we could not have achieved anything. I have had the fortune to work with four committed GWAA presidents – Robert Efrus, Kristen Betts, Chris Young, and Richard Crespin. They are the epitome of dedicated volunteers, and they continue to set the bar higher and higher. To them, and to the hundreds of volunteers in the GWAA Board, and in our chapters, clubs, and groups around the world whom they represent, thank you, and keep it up! Finally, my thanks to President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and Vice President for Advancement Laurel Price Jones for this wonderful opportunity, and for getting me started in this career I love.

As President Steven Knapp takes office on August 1, and a new assistant vice president joins the team at Alumni House, please give them the time, attention, support, and interest you have given me. Our alumni are GW’s living endowment. Get involved. Stay engaged. Make an annual gift. Take some students to dinner. Go to an event. Hire GW alumni. Promote GW to anyone and everyone who will listen. We will all be stronger for it.

Warmest regards,

Scott M. Mory, BA ’96, JD ’99
Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving