91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ

Who would bring you back to 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ?

Our alumni form a powerful network. In the past five years, almost half of our alumni, many of their spouses, current students’ parents, and other friends of the College have engaged with 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ by attending events, contributing time and talent in service to the College, or donating financially in the form of generous gifts (every year, four out of 10 alumni donate to the Annual Fund).

The other half of our alumni population tends to be less engaged—including many who receive this magazine, open the College’s emails, and follow 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ on social media. They are somewhat connected, perhaps, but distant.

I relate to our alumni brothers who have been remotely and minimally connected to 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ. For the better part of 20 years, in most of my 30s and 40s, I was rarely on campus or involved. My time in Crawfordsville during those years was limited to being a spectator at a single Monon Bell Classic—the resounding 47-0 Little Giant victory in 2010. My participation in regional events was limited to a couple of happy hours in Los Angeles and New York City.

Not intentionally, but inexorably, I had drifted away.  Professional commitments, personal challenges, busy schedules, and an overwhelming feeling of being, well, overwhelmed with life’s pressures kept me from engaging in any meaningful way.

By my early 50s, I was seeking new ways to find fulfillment. It was Susan Dyer, (the late) Roland Morin ’91, and Chip Timmons ’96 who helped me find it by bringing me back to 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ.

Susan, who later became my colleague when I joined the 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ staff in 2023, reminded me that whenever I was ready, there would be ways I could return to the 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ fold and help students. Roland asked if I would share my consulting career experience with students in the College’s Center for Innovation, Business, and Entrepreneurship. And Chip invited me to join Terrence Butler ’96 and Professors Peter Mikek and Damon Mohl in the Lilly Awards Selection Committee.

Those invitations came to me at just the right times and in just the right ways—a chance to share some experience, give back, and pay it forward.

It was the what that mattered in bringing me back—finding personal fulfillment. But it was the who that was more important. It was the chance to meet current 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ students and help them achieve their educational goals—to be the first in their families to go to college, to get a degree from an elite institution, to get into medical or law school, to graduate and get the perfect job or launch a new business, or to learn to be a leader in their communities all around the world.

If you haven’t been to 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ lately, know that reconnecting is easy. Come to one of our many events on campus (wabash.edu/calendar). Meet the students, staff, and faculty. Respond to an email from us asking to share your stories. Visit the website (wabash.edu) or join one of our monthly “After the Bell” learning sessions led by 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ faculty on Whenever.Wherever.91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ. (wabash.edu/www).

And maybe, even after leaving the College and moving on through life, you will discover that you still belong at 91³ÉÈ˶ÌÊÓƵ. It’s never too late. We would love to see you.

- Ron Dostal ’92, director of alumni and affinity group engagement  | dostalr@wabash.edu