SUNY New Paltz recently appointed Brenda Dow as the new director of alumni relations.
Dow previously served as the director of development services in the Office of Development from February to December 2012. This position helped her gain knowledge about the inner workings of development and alumni procedures, she said.
“My first year at SUNY New Paltz has been a wonderful experience,” Dow said. “Serving as director of development services has familiarized me with current development and alumni operations. I also began meeting some of the people who help make SUNY New Paltz a special place.”
Dow’s previous experience in alumni affairs includes a nearly seven-year position as the head of alumni affairs at the SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica/Rome. She was also the director of public relations and webmaster at Utica College.
She cited the alumni relations staff and the promise of new challenges as reasons for accepting the position.
“When interviewing for the director of development services job, I was impressed by the team’s expertise,” Dow said. “I also felt the development and alumni operation was a good match for my skills while also offering new challenges.”
Dow will also serve as the vice chair for the recently established Ad Hoc Alumni Relations Task Force.
With more than 60,000 alumni around the world, Christian believes changes need to be made to foster an alumni community.
“We are a global institution with graduates living in countries around the world,” Christian said in a press release. “We have an obligation — indeed, a privilege — to engage them in the exciting future that awaits their alma mater.”
Dow said she is looking forward to interacting with alumni as she works on her mission to create and sustain a more engaging alumni program.
“In this new role, I look forward to meeting more alumni, hearing about their New Paltz experiences and building stronger connections that are meaningful to them and supportive of our mission,” she said.
Interim Executive Director of Development and Foundation David P. Ferguson said the combination of Dow’s credentials and experiences will help the task force reach its goals.
“Ms. Dow is a personable, energetic and knowledgeable individual,” Ferguson said. “She loves SUNY New Paltz and understands the tremendous opportunities that are ahead of us. Spending five minutes in the room with Brenda convinces you that she is roaring to go.”