The American College Forms Its Own Alumni Association

This alumni association is not intended to compete with the Society for members. "We see the graduates being members of our alumni association and belonging to a whole number of other organizations that they may want to support as well," Barton says.

He says he expects the college to continue to maintain a strong relationship with the Society.

Regarding the change of venue for the conferment, Barton says, "We think its important that we have a stand-alone ceremony that salutes the individuals who have achieved a real milestone in their career."

Beginning in 2004, the college will hold conferment exercises either on its own campus, or in another location, but will "not be associated with any one particular most favored society or association," says Barton.

For the Societys part, Frack says, "Its a shame the conferment wont be with us, but it also gives us an opportunity to do some things we might not have done at the meeting." He adds that its important to realize the conferment was only one day at the meeting.

For new designees, Frack feels the Society is a "tremendous choice for them because we are a professional association and we do all the things that a professional association does."

Frack notes that graduates of the college who are looking for an association that offers continuing education, ethical standards, and the opportunity to build relationships at the local and national level should see the Society as a logical choice.

Reproduced from National Underwriter Edition, July 7, 2003. Copyright 2003 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved. Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.