Welcome, University of Miami Alumni!

Donna ArbideIt is my pleasure to welcome you to the University of Miami Alumni Association (UMAA). Since 1930, the UMAA has been proud to welcome each and every graduate as a lifetime member and to keep all of our alumni connected with the University.

Alumni have undoubtedly helped to move the University of Miami forward, as evidenced by the University's recent No. 38 ranking in U.S. News & World Report's annual "America's Best Colleges" issue. Alumni giving is one of the statistics tracked by the publication, and it's because of your loyalty and support that UM has advanced to the top tier of world-class institutions in the country.

UM's impressive ascent of 29 slots in the last ten years makes it one of the fastest-rising institutions among national universities in recent times. We remain the highest-ranked school in the state of Florida. With each jump forward, the value of your UM degree increases. Thus, your Alumni Association strives to connect you to our beloved alma mater and to the more than 157,000 living alumni members who proudly represent the "U" in all 50 states and 148 foreign countries.

The recent opening of the Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center marked a momentous time in our history. Alumni now have a 70,000-square-foot "home away from home" on the Coral Gables campus, complete with a library, business center, living room area, grand room, and café—fittingly named Sebastian's Café. The Newman Alumni Center is the only building on campus completely funded by alumni, with contributions from more than 600 donors. The center is yours to visit, reminisce in, and enjoy. Stop by for breakfast or lunch, and be sure to say hello to the Alumni Relations staff members on the second floor.

Our new center is now home to new campus-based traditions, including our Get Carded receptions. These first-ever events welcome new graduates to the UM Alumni Association, give them their official UM alumni card, and enable them to take a picture next to the life-sized bronze Sebastian that adorns the Newman Alumni Center entrance.

This year, the Alumni Board of Directors, Alumni Council, and President's Council led us into our third strategic planning process, focusing on areas such as acquiring alumni data, increasing young alumni involvement, telling the University of Miami story, generating alumni/parent leadership opportunities, and growing participation of alumni/parent donors.

Additional accomplishments from fiscal year 2010-2011 include:

  • Spearheading the University's launch of a mobile phone application

  • Garnering two awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for:

    • Our Hurricane Points of Pride booklet

    • Overall Alumni Relations Programs

  • A successful three-city tour with new head football coach Al Golden

Remember, as an alumnus you are an automatic member of the UM Alumni Association. There are no annual membership dues, only benefits to enjoy and memories to create. Join us on the road this year as we take Provost Thomas J. LeBlanc to visit alumni in various regions around the country. Visit us online at www.miami.edu/alumni for our complete programming schedule.

Alumni make the University of Miami special. We thank you for what you’ve done and what you continue to do to move our alma mater forward. Thank U!

For the University of Miami,

Donna A. Arbide, M.B.A. '95
Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations and the Annual Fund and
Executive Director of the University of Miami Alumni Association