Dear Arcadia University Alumni,

When each of us enrolled in Beaver College or Arcadia University, we benefited from the students, faculty, and staff that came before us and built this beloved institution. The same can be said for the Arcadia University Alumni Association (AUAA), and in my first letter to you as the new President of AUAA, I want to thank my predecessor, who also became my friend, Maya Basu Johnson ’97. Maya’s commitment to Arcadia and its alumni is inspirational, and her success as President was remarkable. She will continue to be active in her alma mater, and we will continue to be the beneficiaries of her participation. Thank you, Maya. 

Decades ago, I enrolled at Arcadia as a first generation college student, and soon discovered many of my friends and peers held the same distinction. We succeeded because Arcadia provided the resources and support that students needed, both academic and social. The global viewpoint of the institution and its faculty launched my desire to live and work abroad, which I did for several years after graduate school in Poland (where I met my husband), Israel, and the Republic of Georgia. Arcadia’s focus on critical thinking, writing, problem-solving, and collaboration were transferable to all professional disciplines and continue to serve me today. 

The Alumni Association serves you today, too, and vice-versa. The AAAU is enhancing its opportunities for professional development and networking, along with lifelong learning and leadership experiences. We continue to enhance the opportunities for you to mentor today’s students and become active in their professional lives and the social life of the campus.  

My invitation to you is to seize these opportunities to benefit yourself and the alumni of tomorrow. Consider attending a University event like the Women Who Lead Forum or Alumni Reunion Weekend to reconnect with your peers, or attend an Athletics competition to cheer on your Knights. Perhaps you’d enjoy serving on an AAAU committee or working group to share your voice and ideas in person and/or virtually, or serve in some other capacity. You can always contact me at alumni@arcadia.edu to learn ways you can become active in our alma mater. I’d be happy to offer suggestions and I know that our AUAA committee chairs would love to have you share your time and talents with us. Please submit your current contact information by using this link so that we can be in touch with you about all of the University’s exciting events. 

Our beloved Beaver College and Arcadia University boasts more than 36,000 alumni across the nation and around the world. These alumni range in age from centenarians to folks who just graduated, and their careers are equally varied. What each of us has in common is this one touchstone: we were educated, and therefore transformed, by and through the same Beaver/Arcadia traditions. 

Let’s continue that tradition together as active Arcadia University alumni. 

Fling High the Scarlet and the Grey!

Stacey Downey ’88

President, Arcadia University Alumni Association