If AU's fundraising campaign reaches its goal, the School of International Service will have a completely new building, the McKinley building will be renovated for the School of Communication and the Experimental Theatre will become an extension to the Kogod School of Business. However, according to the office of development and the three deans most involved with the effort, the campaign is about reaching out to alumni as well.
"The first step to the capital campaign is to reach out to alumni, involve them, and engage them in the life of the university," Dean of SOC Larry Kirkman said.
For the past two years SOC has been hosting a wide range of events to get alumni involved, ranging from happy hour events to major programs across the country. The latest, SOC will host a panel discussion for alumni at the Discovery World Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland as part of their outreach effort this Wednesday.
"Most alumni had not been contacted at all by SOC [before]," said SOC's Director of Development Anne Menotti. Through mentorship programs, an alumni advisory council and social events, SOC is changing that.
SOC is not alone in this effort to reach out to alumni though. Al Checcio, vice president of the office of development said, "Our office just isn't about raising money...but getting alumni back involved."
While all three schools are working hard to develop and deepen their relationship with alumni, SIS has already chosen an architect. According to SIS Dean Nanette Levinson, William McDonouga will design SIS's new home.
"What's tremendously exciting is [he] is known for buildings that are environmentally friendly," Levinson said.
Kogod is now doing a design study and SOC have received a gift to begin their architectural planning. However, none of the deans could speculate about when construction would begin.
David Carrera, from the office of development explained, "The projects are driven by the donors who fund them"
