Q & A with the Alumni Association President, Audrey Cozzarin ’79

Interviewed by Gregg Brewer ’94

Who is a member of the Purchase College Alumni Association? Do we pay dues?

All graduates of Purchase are automatically members and you don’t pay dues to “join”. We encourage alumni to contact the alumni office to obtain their alumni ID cards for discounts, and clout of course!

What kind of opportunities are available to alumni?

There are so many! We hold events to network professionally and to socialize with other “Purchase People,” we connect classmates, and keep alumni informed of campus news. Plus there are perks.

What perks?

Discounts at the gym, select performances at the PAC, Neuberger Museum admission and gift shop, and excellent rates for Liberty Mutual insurance and MBNA credit card.

What is the Annual Fund? Why do we get mailings and phone calls asking us to give?

Most alumni don’t realize that this is our way to support student scholarships. You can even earmark your gift for a specific department. Students are so appreciative of our financial support and in many cases we are literally making an education at Purchase possible for them. The Annual Fund was set up for this purpose.

But what if alumni don’t have the income level to give?

Alumni can donate as little as $1, or even a dollar for each year since graduating. The college actually benefits from high participation levels for grants, so the number of alumni giving to the Annual Fund is really important.

Are students aware of the Alumni Association?

Yes! They have been reaching out to us for guidance and also to hear our stories of our years at Purchase.  They know they have a duty to give back once they graduate. Purchase alumni are involved in fabulous endeavors all around the country and the world. We have a tremendous amount to share with students.

What’s the best way to stay in touch with alumni and the college?

The college produces the very fine Alumni Magazine with alumni notes, profiles, and campus and faculty news. Alumni are invited to submit their personal updates at alumni@purchase.edu. This Web site is also an excellent forum for us to stay in touch. Also, attend events! It’s always great to see you!

What is the Office of Alumni Affairs?

This is the college’s office for us staffed by our capable and dynamic “ambassador”, Cristina Necula [‘97], Director of Alumni Affairs. Cristina organizes many events and works hard to keep alumni “in the loop.” Her office is located in the Humanities Building, so stop by or give her a call to chat about what’s new. alumni@purchase.edu.

What is the Purchase College Alumni Association Board of Directors?

We represent the alumni body (now totaling 14,000+), initiating events and opportunities for alumni to re-connect with each other, in partnership with the college. Our committees are where the fun is, and where the real work gets done. We can’t do it alone, though, and we always need alumni volunteers to get involved!

What do you like best about the college these days? 

Purchase is on the map, getting recognition regionally, nationally, and around the world, for excellence in the arts, sciences, and humanities. The students are exceptional: natural, bright, talented, thoughtful, savvy, highly individual and creative. They make us proud. I enjoy speaking to students, taking in their ideas and their work. They work so hard and are very committed. Between them, the faculty, and the administration, there is a thriving community at Purchase, at last.

Biggest surprise this year?

The 2006 yearbook, created exclusively by students, called “Proof of Purchase”! The editor saw one of our alumni buttons with this slogan and thought it was brilliant.

The Purchase College Alumni Association Mission Statement:

            The Purchase College Alumni Association cultivates fellowship among alumni and fosters mutually productive and rewarding relations between the alumni and the College community. We plan, engage, and assist in activities that stimulate, give expression to, heighten and enrich aspects of life for the alumni, students, faculty and staff of the College.

Board of Directors, 2006:

Fadi Areifij '99

Nikole Barnes '03

Michael Casey ‘86

Antonio Commisso '09, PSGA Finance Coordinator

Audrey Cozzarin ’79, President

Alison Kaplan ’86

Julie Kenyon ‘86

Susan Lehmkuhl '04

Morgan Levy – Levinson ‘05

Paula Middleman – Cancro ’79, Vice – President

Emily O'Leary '06, Treasurer

Mark Patnode ’78, Secretary

Jeffrey Putman ’96, President Emeritus

Pietro Rotondo ‘88

Gorman John Ruggiero '76

Steven Tartick '07, Chair of Student Senate

Gerry Wendrovsky, Esq. ’78, of counsel

Join in the Planning!!! All alumni are invited to join the board of directors of the Purchase College Alumni Association, or to attend our monthly meetings. Our lively and informal meetings provide an opportunity for alumni to discuss initiatives and efforts that reconnect us with each other, the college, and students.

The board has a number of standing committees and we welcome volunteers to join us in moving forward:

Communications Committee

Working together with the Alumni Affairs Office to update the alumni area of the Purchase Web site and develop ways to stay in touch with the alumni body.

Merchandising Committee

Help us develop alumni products to be sold online, through the bookstore, and at alumni events.

Student Life Committee

We need a rep to attend meetings of the College Senate’s Campus Life Committee and report to the board on issues affecting student life.

Reunion Committee

Help us plan and host Alumni Reunions, such as this year's September 30th general Reunion at Hilltop Restaurant and the Purchase Plus 30 Reunion celebrating the classes of '75 - '77 on October 21st in the Administration Building.

Contact Cristina Necula 914-251-6054 or alumni@purchase.edu if you would like to join us.

Cristina Necula ['97], Director
Office of Alumni Affairs
Humanities 0057
Purchase College
735 Anderson Hill Rd.
Purchase, NY 10577-1400
Phone: (914) 251-6054
Fax: (914) 251-6047
E-mail: alumni@purchase.edu