Welcome from the HAA President

Welcome to the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and a special welcome to the Class of 2009!

As HAA President, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our website and share with you some of the ways that you can remain engaged with Harvard and its global community of over 330,000 people.

As I told the seniors during Class Day earlier this June, my time at Harvard was a life-changing experience for which I am extremely grateful. I got involved with the alumni organization as a way of giving back. Now, 33 years later, I am still the one benefiting from my involvement. I find that Harvard remains a source of pride, stimulation, continual learning, and a point of connection with old and new friends.

It is said that you are a student for four years but an alumnus for life! So I hope that you take advantage of the many opportunities to stay connected with our alma mater and with each other.

For some ideas on how to be involved, take a glimpse at the menu to the left. Currently, the HAA supports over 190 Harvard Clubs in more than 70 countries throughout the world, as well as 30 Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) that offer new ways for alumni to associate with one another across geography and class years and through common interests. Many Clubs and SIGs support their local communities through a wide array of important community service programs and projects. Your talents, ideas, and energies can add to the vitality of the Harvard Clubs and SIGs and enhance our broader alumni community.

Additionally, the HAA offers numerous opportunities designed to engage alumni in the intellectual life of the University. There are over 50 travel programs a year to all 7 continents, ranging from 5 to 35 days. Furthermore, the continuing education department offers learning and social experiences designed to foster alumni connections with the University, faculty, and other alumni. Several past programs are available for viewing via webcast on the alumni events website.

Come back to Harvard to enjoy your reunion, also. More than 800 volunteers organized over 280 Harvard College pre-reunion and reunion events this past year, which led to our hosting of 6,500 alumni and guests who were in town for Commencement.

Whether you are considering applying to graduate school, changing careers, or just starting out, Crimson Compass provides you with the connections you need. An online directory for alumni and students to connect to one another, there are currently over 15,000 alumni volunteering to share their professional experience and expertise.

In 2009-2010 we are focusing on Harvard’s role in global public service, and the HAA plans to partner with University-wide alumni organizations for more public service opportunities. Be on the lookout for additional information. This is a meaningful way to give back to others and an opportunity to informally network with fellow alumni.

In closing, thank you for being a committed and loyal alumna and alumnus! I could not be prouder of the Harvard alumni body, and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during my term and/or hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to send any feedback by email or by mail to:

Harvard Alumni Association
University Place
124 Mt. Auburn St. 6th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-5731

With best wishes,

President, Harvard Alumni Association
2009-2010