We are in the deep freeze of February here in New Hampshire.  We are thinking warm thoughts and hoping for signs of spring (ok - at least temps above zero or a decrease in the wind gusts)!   The students are back in class, seniors are thinking about life after Pierce (remember those days?), and the University is abuzz with excitement as we plan for the inauguration of our fourth president in April.

The theme for the inauguration is “Engaged in Learning and Service”.  In the week leading up to the installation date (April 17, 2010), the University will be showcasing works of academic excellence by students as well as faculty, staff and alumni.  Alumni authors are encouraged to send a copy of published work to me along with a short description of how the Franklin Pierce experience influenced his or her writing.  Mail to: Franklin Pierce University, 40 University Drive, Rindge, NH 03461 ATTN:  Shirley English-Whitman.  Submissions received by March 19, 2010 will be considered for inclusion in the showcase. 

Alumni are also encouraged to participate by getting involved in their community through a service project.  Alumni volunteers have begun planning group projects in some areas and we hope that alums in those areas will support those projects.  If there isn’t a project in your area or if you are already engaged in community service through some other initiative, send me information, pictures, video and/or a brief on your particular service work and I will include it in an “Alumni in Community Service” presentation.  Submissions received by March 19, 2010 will be considered for inclusion.

These are the projects that have been organized by alumni volunteers thus far:

MA – Charles River Clean Up – Boston, MA - Saturday, April 10 REGISTER NOW online

CT – Save the Sound – CT shoreline - Saturday, April 10 REGISTER NOW online

NJ – The Bergen County Habitat for Humanity - Garfield, NJ – Saturday, April 10 REGISTER NOW online

NH – NH Food Bank – Manchester, NH – Friday, April 9 or Saturday, April 10 9:30 REGISTER NOW online

CA – Rancho Cucamonga Library presents "The Big Read" -  April 10, 2010 - The New Victoria Gardens Cultural Center*

NYC – Bagging groceries at a food pantry – Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island – Sunday, April 11 REGISTER NOW online

RI – Blackstone Park Clean-up – Saturday, April 10 REGISTER NOW online

NC - Maple Court Veterans Transitional Housing Program - Durham, NC - Saturday, April 10*

* (online registration coming soon)

Many thanks to the dedicated volunteers who planned these projects.  More information about these events including registration information is available here. 

ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWS

Nominations for seats on the Alumni Association Board of Directors are closed.  Candidate information will be available on the web by February 17, 2010 and the election will be conducted in March.  Balloting will occur online and during the March meeting of the alumni association board of directors (which is open to all alumni) on March 28, 2010.

Please direct any questions or concerns about the election process, to Shirley English Whitman or Rick Falconi, membership and bylaws committee chair. 

ALUMNI OPPORTUNITY NEWS

The Franklin Pierce University Alumni Association is pleased to offer travel Insurance through the Alumni Insurance Program.   Don’t let an exciting time turn into a bad deal if your trip is unexpectedly delayed or cancelled, your luggage lost, or if you require medical care overseas.  Instead, protect yourself with Travel Insurance through the Alumni Association.  Whether you’re traveling on your own for spring break, a summer vacation, or as part of an alumni trip, coverage is available for individuals, families, and groups.  And you can even get special coverage for extreme sports and emergency evacuation.

More information is available at www.meyerandassoc.com/ma/fpu or call the program administrator at 800-635-7801.

DID YOU KNOW?

Temple Grandin ’70 is the subject of an HBO movie premiering on February 6?

Franklin Pierce Announced a Tuition Freeze?

The Next Admissions Open House is February 21?

You can refer a prospective student to Franklin Pierce and they can save on the application fee?

That your company may match your annual fund gift?

EVENTS

Join fellow alumni at the following events:

Please RSVP Alumni Relations online or contact us at 877.372.2586 or alumni@franklinpierce.edu.

NH Chapter Network and Social ~ Wednesday, February 17, 2010 ~ Concord, NH

6:00 – 8:00 pm ~ The Barley House – 132 North Main Street, Concord, NH   REGISTER NOW online

CT Chapter Alumni Social and Network ~ Thursday, March 11, 2010 ~ New Haven, CT

6:00 – 8:00 pm ~ The Playwright ~ 144 Temple Street, New Haven, CT  REGISTER NOW online

NJ Chapter Alumni Social and Network ~ Friday, March 19, 2010 ~ Long Valley, NJ

6:00 – 8:00 pm ~ Splash ~ One Fairmount Road, Long Valley, NJ   REGISTER NOW online

NH Chapter Network and Social ~ Friday, March 26, 2010 ~ Keene, NH

6:00 – 8:00 pm ~ Margaritas ~ 77 Main Street, Keene, NH   REGISTER NOW online

NH Chapter Network and Social ~ Thursday, April 1, 2010 ~ Portsmouth, NH

6:00 – 8:00 pm ~ Redhook Ale Brewery ~ 35 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH  REGISTER NOW online

Rowing Alumni Spaghetti Dinner w/ Rowing Team during Spring Training ~ Sunday, March 14, 2010 ~ Washington, DC

3:30 pm ~ Residence of Kevin ’01 and Julia (Robinson) ’01 Bargo

MA/NH Chapter Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays ~ Friday, August 20, 2010

Time TBD at Fenway Park  - We have a few tickets left - Alumni ticket price: $28

Bleacher Seats – Section 37. Call Alumni Relations 877-372-2586 with your Visa, MasterCard or Discover to reserve your tickets.

Save the date – April 17, 2010 – Inauguration of Dr. James Birge – 4^th President of Franklin Pierce University.

Want to hold an event in your area?  Contact Laurie Alden at alumni@franklinpierce.edu with your ideas.

ALUMNI PRIDE 

Give online

Alumni guestbook

Join the Official Franklin Pierce Alumni Association Group on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter @FPAlumni

Network with other alumni on LinkedIn

PS:  There is a new bird in town.  A flock of wild turkeys has been roosting on the Rindge campus this winter.  I wonder what will happen when the geese arrive in the spring.