The Drexel University Alumni Association invites you to take part in this year’s election of candidates to the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors oversees the Alumni Association’s efforts to engage, advance and support the campus community and its alumni and students through a variety of programs, services and awards as well as opportunities for volunteerism and advocacy.
Members of the Board of Governors are nominated based on their demonstrated leadership, involvement, support and commitment to Drexel University and the Alumni Association. To that end, the Nominations Committee has selected the following candidates for election:
Richard D. Blumberg (BS 1984, LeBow College of Business) - Info
Jonathan S. Corle (BS 1970, LeBow College of Business) - Info
James R. Gravesande (BS 1984, College of Engineering) - Info
Lawrence P. Lehmann (BS 1972, College of Engineering) - Info
Palak Raval-Nelson (MPH 2002, School of Public Health; PHD 2008, College of Arts & Sciences) - Info
You are invited to click "Info" or scroll down for each of the candidates' letter of interest and submit your vote below. Voting will conclude at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 24, 2011.
BS 1984, LeBow College of Business
President, World Sales Solutions
Hi! Thank you for the opportunity to continue as Board of Governors (BOG) members. I'm interested to apply my skills, education, and work experiences to support the BOG, alumni, students, professors and staff in line with Drexel's strategic and tactical direction. I enjoy the camaraderie of the participants and the ability to connect with a great university which is making a big difference in the world and community.
The Alumni Association brings value to alumni and students by providing a connection to Drexel schools, colleges, and groups. This connection provides value in terms of careers, networking, and support (both time, resources and money) that's an integral part of a successful university. By helping expand the circle of influence then the Drexel "ecosystem" of campus, partners, businesses, and individuals grows which creates a healthy environment for the many participants. The Alumni Association provides leadership to the students so that when they graduate they can continue to play a role in the universities direction and add value to their degree. The activities of the Association are very diverse so there are many win-wins and opportunities to participate on many levels with on-site activities and virtually through social media tools like Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
The special skills and abilities that I provide are widely recognized and include: leadership, entrepreneurship, delivery, sales, marketing, communications, strategic alliances, business development, moderating meetings, speaking, and technology including the use of social media. Over the last 10+ years of Alumni Association pro-active participation I have applied these capabilities to create value and growth to the program.
BS 1970, LeBow College of Business
Retired
Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for nomination to another term on the Drexel Alumni BOG. I would like another term so that I can continue to help our great University by connecting alumni and students through various programs such as grants and honors and awards. These deepen the relationships between Drexel and its graduates and students and enrich the Drexel experience. During my first term on the board, I learned a great deal and am very impressed by the caliber of the student and alumni nominees for various awards. The grants and honors committees work hard reviewing many applications for alumni awards and also this year over 50 nominations for outstanding coop student on behalf of Steinbright. I believe my ability to lead, organize, and communicate are the skills I bring to the board. If nominated and elected, I look forward to serving another term in whatever capacity the board feels I can be most helpful.
BS 1984, College of Engineering
Group Manager, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
Two years ago when I was elected as the Regional Club Representative to the Alumni Board of Governors I had no idea what to expect. My daughter was a freshman and I was involved in the Norcal club and looking to expand my involvement with the University. During the past two years my involvement has meant a great deal to me and I have enjoyed it very much. Participating on the Board and on the Honors and Awards Committee where I get to see the exceptional students that are attending the University and also see the accomplishments of the alumni makes me want to do more to raise the level of exposure that the University has here in Northern California. The work the Alumni Association and the Board does enhances the image of Drexel and provides opportunities for all alumni. As Drexel has increased exposure here in Northern California through the Graduate Studies Center in Sacramento the work of the Alumni Association will become much more important to create an ever growing community of Alumni and to keep them involved and connected to Drexel. As the local group of graduates grows it will be important to understand the issues that they have in staying connected to the main University in Philadelphia. I believe that with my experiences in Philadelphia and here I can bring my talents to the Board to enhance the organization by representing the local group and help create a thriving Alumni group here in Northern California.
BS 1972, College of Engineering
Senior Project Manager, RPMS Consulting Engineers
As a member of the Board of Governors of the Drexel University Alumni Association whose first term is about to expire, I have come to learn the significance and importance of a strong Alumni Association and the important role it has in improving the University's relations with its students, alumni, and local community.
In the short time I have been a part of this organization, the group has established programs that reach out to the student body and support a variety of activities that help engage students as well as alumni. The Grants Program, which provides funding to groups on campus, has evolved into a strong program that is establishing recognition of the Alumni Association throughout the student body. The programs supported by the Grants Committee encourage alumni participation, help to engage students and make them aware of the Alumni Association, and hopefully encourage them to be active participants once they graduate. I am proud to have been a member of this important committee.
I have also been involved with the Student Relations Committee during my time on the Board of Governors, first as a member and more recently as its Chairman. This group has worked to establish and produce the first New Graduate's Guide that Drexel distributed to graduating seniors. The evolution of this publication to include all students (undergraduate, graduate, Goodwin, and online) has shown that the organization is dedicated to engaging all alumni regardless of the method in which they received their Drexel education. This year the Student Relations Committee has been entrusted with funds to provide support to the Senior Year Experience, a campus wide program of activities focused on graduating seniors. The Alumni Association, through the Student Relations Committee, is taking an active role in this program as another way to meet and engage young alumni to be. I am honored to have been a member of the Student Relations Committee and work with the members in implementing this funding effort for the Senior Year Experience.
The Communications Committee plays an essential role in publicizing the Alumni Association and works to create a uniform message and identity for the groups, and I am pleased to be a part of this committee.
I hope that I will have the opportunity to continue as a member of the Board of Governors and to expand my participation in the organization. I have enjoyed working with the members, and have come to admire their dedication and commitment to the Alumni Association as well as Drexel University. I feel strongly that my past experience these last four years as well as my interest in helping to engage younger alumni will allow me to assist the Board in meeting its goals.
In order for the Drexel University Alumni Association to grow in the future, it is essential to engage all alumni, but especially young alumni. I look forward to working to make this happen.
MPH 2002, School of Public Health
PHD 2008, College of Arts & Sciences
Director of Environmental Health Services, City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health
My education at Drexel, has changed my view point about life and society for the better. First, the education I received for my MPH helped me to realize that my life's passion was Public Health, specifically Environmental Health. I have always wanted to help people and I learned how through my education during my MPH. I learned the tools needed for me to improve the health of other people and truly help them.
Next, my Doctorate work help me to evolve and hone in my skills to impact the environmental health of people through prevention, education, and most of all creating and implementing policies which help those that cannot help themselves. With the knowledge and skills that I received from my education at Drexel, I was able to compete successfully in the Civil Service exams to attain my current position as Director of Environmental Health for Philadelphia. In this position, I have the opportunity to achieve my life's dream and passion and help those that do not have a voice. The policies that I help establish impact and improve the quality of Environmental Health (safe food, indoor environments, reduced exposures to lead and other hazards)for the residents and visitor to Philadelphia. I help people every day and Drexel, provided me with the tools to help them.
So why am I interested in serving on the Board of Governor- well giving back is an understatement. Drexel has helped me to achieve my dreams and goals, and I want to help Drexel by increasing enrollment, helping current students, increasing alumni participation and support both financial and time contribution, and most of all I want to help publicize how great the education is at Drexel. I want to help promote the Drexel brand anyway I can.
The skills that I bring to the position include: strong leadership, organization, fund raising, team building, communication skills, great public speaking abilities, and motivational skills which can inspire and encourage participation. As a Director, I lead by example and I believe that my skills will greatly assist the Board as they have in the past. Lastly, I bring diversity to the Board. As the first minority female from a nontraditional program (School of Public Health) on the Executive Committee and the Board, I believe that I provide a perspective that is needed if the Alumni Board wants to be able to connect with the global Drexel community and future alumni.
I have truly enjoyed my experience on the Board and I hope to continue to give back and assist with achieving the Strategic Plan for the Board and University as a member of the Board. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for another term on the Board.
|
