Virginia Tech Alumni Association News - Spring 2001
Expanding Our Service To Alumni Via The Internet
Many services that our Association offers (Chapters, Reunions, Career Services, etc.) include Web-delivered components right now and we are working to expand our Web offerings so that every service that our Association offers is enhanced by a Web-delivered component. Our goal is to use the Internet to truly enhance the sense of community that is felt among our growing family of alumni.
Lofty? Perhaps. But your Alumni Association is working diligently to use the Web to enhance the interactions that alumni enjoy with our university and with one another. How?
A Home for Alumni on the Web - www.alumni.vt.edu
The opposite page shows a significant step forward. In January 2000 we revised our Web presence to be more than just a home page. The goal of www.alumni.vt.edu is to consolidate in one place many services and information to serve alumni. We are just getting started and the features found on the page have drawn over 12,000 of our fellow alumni to formally register as users!
The portal page brings many of the Internet's resources together like headline news, courtesy of the New York Times, financial news from the Street and the Motley Fool, weather, your personal favorite stock quotes, one of the most extensive virtual shopping malls available anywhere, and a great deal more. Want to keep up with the latest Virginia Tech headlines? www.alumni.vt.edu is the logical place to start. We constantly update the University News and University Sports News sections with the latest happenings around Virginia Tech. All of these features combine with the growing suite of services available under the "Alumni Association Links" to create a true home for alumni on the Internet.
The New Alumni Gateway - Online!
At one time, you may have come to Virginia Tech to "find yourself." Now you can come back to www.alumni.vt.edu, click on the Alumni Gateway and find yourself again. The Alumni Gateway is a brand new way for alumni to gain access to personal services online. Get your own alumni username, and password that will allow you to access an ever-expanding suite of personal services.
View and update your alumni record - Online!
What is the single most important way that you can make sure you stay connected to Virginia Tech? Use your new username and password to view and make corrections to your mailing address and email address. You can inspect and update your alumni profile at any time, from anywhere. Come to www.alumni.vt.edu and select "View and Update my Alumni Record".
A gateway to lifelong learning - VTalumnNET - Online!
As alumni, we have shared many great instructors and life-changing learning experiences at Virginia Tech. In his April 2000 Installation address, President Charles Steger announced his vision of continuing to make those experiences available to alumni. That vision is now a reality for alumni around the world through VTalumnNET (coming in Spring, 2001). Select "VTalumnNET Lifelong Learning" from www.alumni.vt.edu or go directly to http://alumni.iddl.vt.edu/ and come see.
Your new alumni username and password allow you to explore one of an ever-expanding array of short non-credit online seminars every year. Current offerings include Fundamentals of Computer Systems, Marketing Strategy, Annuals and Perennials and others. Both free and fee-based, credit and non-credit courses will be offered by VTalumnNET. Please visit frequently to see what is new.
Register for your Class Reunion - Online!
This year, for the first time, we offer full online registration for all Fall 2001 Class Reunions. Go to www.alumni.vt.edu and select "Reunions and Special Events" to see what is happening. Register now to order your football tickets and reserve your hotel room. A limited number are available and online registration is the fastest, most convenient way to make your plans.
In addition to the instant online information and registration, reunion invitations for the Classes of '51, '56, '61, '66, '71, and '76 were mailed in March. You will find reunion invitations for the classes of '81, '86, '91, and '96 in this publication. Of course, you may register by fax or traditional mail if you prefer.
Order Alumni Merchandise or Hit the Mall - Online!
Now, when you click on Alumni Merchandise at www.alumni.vt.edu, and find that perfect Virginia Tech gift, you can complete your order online, on the spot! Here you will find unique and exclusive Alumni Association merchandise, the Alumni Mall with a wide array of Virginia Tech licensed products, and special affinity services like health insurance, long distance service at $.05 per minute and, of course, the Virginia Tech Visa card (with four designs to choose from).
Also, "Shop Brand Name Stores" at www.alumni.vt.edu. Every major retailer and an exciting collection of unique specialty shops are available. Clothing, electronics, food, home decor; it is all here. Up to 15% of the amount of your purchase goes to support Virginia Tech, without inflating the cost of your purchases. We invite you to come, look around, and do a little shopping.
These are just a few highlights of the services that are available at www.alumni.vt.edu. Please visit and explore the other interesting and unique features at our home for alumni on the Web.
We will soon be adding many more exciting personal services that you may access by using your alumni username and password. Please click on the Alumni Gateway link from www.alumni.vt.edu and set up your username and password. Right now, you can update your alumni profile and, soon, sign up for your free "knowledge unit." Now, www.alumni.vt.edu provides a convenient gateway to the latest and best of what is available to Tech alumni.
Richard Hastings
Senior Associate Director