Blessings of the Season- Alums Share Their Gratitude in Many Ways

The holidays are in full swing. Decorating, wrapping, caroling, eating, baking and shopping for gifts are just a few of the activities of the season. Amidst all of the hustle and bustle, it’s often the simple things that bring the most meaning. As we reflect back on the past year, one of its true blessings is our alums who have continued to stay in touch sending stories and updates of their well-being and recent successes. Since they are scattered across the country it is fun for us to hear how they are succeeding in their work and their lives.

Some drop by the Stern Center; others send emails or notes, and some call. But whatever their mode of communication, their gratitude for the Stern Center is ever present and it is wonderful how many choose to give back. A couple of our alums have become members of our Board of Directors, others have written blog posts, another offered to be a mentor and a few have offered to be part of our fund letter campaign. And many are offering financial contributions to pay it forward to others who use our services.

We have an alumni wall in our lobby that shares thoughts from our previous students about their time spent here—we would like to continue growing this wall as other alumni share their latest achievements. Our alums and their multitude of successes are a true measure of our efforts to help all learners succeed. Of course, there are numerous other factors that play a role in their success, but we are happy to have been able to be a part of helping them reach their goals.

So as the holidays roll around and we enjoy numerous reunions with our alums, we are reminded of the breadth and depth of our Stern Center family. We hope that we continue to hear from our previous students, not only during the holiday season, but all throughout the year. We encourage you all to be in touch.

Share your story with us and tell us what’s up. That is one of the best gifts of the season—a  gift of learning that leads to success.

Laurie Caswell Burke is a Major Gifts Specialist at the Stern Center. She is a writer and teacher. Skinny Dipping with Loons is her first book. She lives in Shelburne, VT.