From the Publisher: Building Community Together

Building community is at the core of everything we do. We have existed for 185 years for the very reason of bringing alumni together, to strengthen connection.

Our events provide a perfect and palpable example of how we put that mission into practice. From Reunions, to tailgates, to Young Alumni Reunions, to Black Alumni Weekend, to the 50-plus events we host alongside our Alumni Interest Groups, we connect alumni across a variety of affinities, identities and shared experiences.

Our newest offering, and most recent success, is Juntos, which debuted in April to celebrate the UVA Hispanic and Latinx communities. We collaborated with some 18 student groups and University divisions, including the UVA Library, to organize two days of programming across Grounds.

Juntos was brought to life thanks to the extraordinary work and dedication of alumni volunteers. Bolívar Network, an Alumni Interest Group that just marked its 25th anniversary, shaped the vision for this celebratory weekend, and then, with support from countless other alumni volunteers, worked hand in hand with the Alumni Association to make it a reality.

Partnering with alumni volunteers is the essential ingredient in nearly all of our events. Volunteers represent the voices of our broader alumni community, including some that may otherwise not be heard; they help us craft meaningful programming that will resonate long after the event has concluded; and they give generously of their time, talent and energy to create best-in-class programs.

In Spanish, Juntos means “together”—a word that beautifully captures not only the spirit of the event but also the collaboration that made it possible. It also speaks to the Association’s mission and relentless pursuit of building community.

Thank you to the thousands of alumni volunteers who serve every year, in some cases for decades on end. Your unwavering commitment to one another, and to the University community, keeps all of us connected.

With gratitude and a communal Wahoowa,

Lily West (Darden ’12)
President & CEO