December 2004

From left: Samatha Lang, Joseph Pastori (seated), Cythia Strange, Richard Kirschner, Deb Reutenman, Walt Coombs, George Rosenberg, Stephen Kieffer, Robin Reisner, Len Beard, and Barry Kluger.

New Phoenix Alumni Chapter in the Works

A few short months ago, Len Beard, CAS/BA '72, and Richard Kirschner, SPA/BA '68, had never met. But one day, when they were both walking their dogs, Beard turned around to hear an Northeastern accent not typically heard in the Southwest. Out of curiousity, he struck up a conversation with Kirschner, the fellow dog walker. When Beard asked Kirschner where he attended college, the answer was, “American University. You’ve probably never heard of it.” Shocked, Beard immediately bounced back, “Mary Graydon Center sound familiar to you?”

It wasn't long before the two enthusiastic alums decided they ought to see what it would take to start an alumni chapter in Arizona. After all, they met so randomly, so who knew how many other alumni might be in the area.

Kirschner, now co-leader of the burgeoning Phoenix Alumni group, called his long time friend and ZBT fraternity brother, Ronald “Boots” Nissenbaum, the president of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter, for some inspiration and guidance. Boots directed Kirschner to Mary Skinner, associate director of Alumni Programs.

Turns out there are more than 450 alumni in Arizona, the majority of them in the Phoenix area. “They’re really excited about becoming an ‘official’ chapter,” recalls Skinner. After talking to Skinner, the two alumni planned an initial event at a local restaurant, and Beard and Kirschner found themselves crafting an e-mail to the more than 400 AU Alumni who reside in Arizona. Even though the turnout was small, Beard says everybody was very enthusiastic about it. “We’ve got a good core group of people; everyone wants to help.” In order to meet AU’s chapter guidelines, the group elected officers at the event; Kirschner and Beard were elected co-leaders and Stephen Keiffer was also elected to a leadership position.

As for upcoming events, the group is already bursting with ideas. In January, Vanessa Yost, director of Alumni Programs, is scheduled to visit the chapter for an alumni reception held in conjunction with other colleges and universities. For the spring, Beard hopes to organize an event to watch a televised AU basketball game. In the summer, the chapter is planning to host a beach party, since “one thing we do have here is a lot of beach,” according to Beard. With already a dozen enthusiastic volunteers, the chapter hopes to flourish.

Phoenix isn't the only city eager to kick off 2005 with alumni activities. The newly formed Denver Alumni Chapter is hosting a new year networking reception in January, as is Atlanta, Chicago, and Seattle (keep checking the Web site for specific details.) The New York Alumni Chapter is starting the year off by hosting a community service event with New York Cares. And Boston is kicking off its year by rooting for the AU Men's Basketball team as they take on Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.

-Ashley Ferrell ‘07

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