The Asbury University Alumni Board will be convening for their annual spring meeting this weekend.
The Asbury University Alumni Board “represents the 22,000 living Asbury alumni from around the world. The Alumni board is not a policy board but an advisory board that [keeps] a pulse on the heart and tradition of Asbury and [gives] their perspectives and insights into the leadership of Asbury,” according to Director of Alumni and Church Relations Bert Jones.
In addition to supporting alumni through annual events like Asbury Reunion, giving awards to alumni and hosting regional gatherings, the alumni board also works to support current Asbury students through working with class advisors to encourage them and equip them to work with students.
“We love spending time with students who are available for mentoring and coaching as students show interest to engage with our team,” said Jones. “We also host a monthly prayer Zoom with our Alumni who faithfully pray for our students and events on campus. Our Alumni are also intentional about giving to Asbury to help with scholarships and projects that improve life on campus for our current students.”
Recently, the alumni board was given a grant to invest in first to fifth year recent Asbury graduates. They have used the grant to start a program called “Launching Well.”
“This past fall, we gathered about 20 recent graduates as a focus group to learn from them what kind of struggles they faced after graduation, what they missed after Asbury [and] what would be most helpful as they continue to advance in their careers. We gained tremendous insight from these young alumni and have designed our retreats around those kinds of themes,” stated Jones.
The “Launching Well” provides fall and spring retreats, which provide recent graduates with the opportunity to reconnect with Christ-centered community and strengthen their walk with Christ while building practical life skills.
The heart that Asbury alumni have for students will be reflected in a chapel service on March 13, hosted by the alumni board and local alumni. This year’s speaker will be Alumni Board President and 2015 alumna, Meredith Turton.
While the board’s meetings focus on strengthening alumni engagement and supporting the university’s mission, their presence on campus also serves as a reminder of the broader Asbury community that extends far beyond graduation. Through mentorship, prayer and continued investment in students and young alumni, the board seeks to ensure that the connection between Asbury and its graduates remains strong for generations to come.
