The Alumni Board

Alumni Board Discusses Restructuring

New Erskine Alumni Association President Eleanor Chesnut Richardson, speaking to members of the Erskine Alumni Board at its July meeting Saturday, listed the three main goals of her two-year term, while continuing dialogue with outgoing President Andy Byrd, who also attended the meeting, about the Board’s reorganization.

Richardson’s goals include increasing alumni giving percentages to the Annual Fund from its current rate of 29 percent, increasing the amount of giving to the Annual Fund from last year’s $1.4 million, and revitalizing alumni chapter meetings.

Byrd and Richardson released a detailed report breaking down Erskine’s alumni association membership in different categories, including class year groupings, gender, amount given to the Annual Fund, and more.

No action was taken by the Board, but the discussion focused on increasing the Alumni Board from 21 to 24 members. The plan included three Alumni Board officers, two Annual Fund co-chairs, the president of the Flying Fleet Club, and 18 general board members reflective of the alumni assocation’s makeup.

Richardson praised the work of Erskine’s new Alumni Director Ralph Patterson, also attending his first meeting.

Patterson said the theme for his work at Erskine this year is reconnecting the alumni with the institution, and he pledged to visit each Alumni Board member, as well as trustees of the institution and the class agents.

“We want people to come back to this campus because things here have never been better,” Patterson said.

The Alumni Board began its meeting Friday night with a dinner at the school before traveling to Abbeville to attend a performance of “Rumors” at the Opera House.

Erskine’s homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 11, a capital campaign kickoff event is scheduled for Oct. 23 and the Alumni Board will meet again on Oct. 25. Alumni Weekend is scheduled for April 23-24.

Members of the Alumni Board attended "Rumors" at the Opera House Friday night