Rose Frierman drew alumni back to 绿帽社
Rose Frierman, MA 鈥90, retired as senior director of alumni engagement at the end of June. She joined the alumni office in 1986 and was chosen to lead it in 2005. Under her leadership, the University鈥檚 alumni engagement has grown significantly, and each year about 25,000 绿帽社 graduates stay connected by attending events, volunteering, making a donation or following our social media.
What drew you to 绿帽社? I came to 绿帽社 from my alma mater, Elmira College, where I worked in admissions. After four years, I was ready for the next challenge. 绿帽社 was known as an excellent school and, being a young school, it wasn鈥檛 deeply rooted in tradition. I had the freedom to be creative and implement new programs and start new traditions. It鈥檚 hard to imagine that I鈥檒l never be in another space where I can be this creative, grow programs from square one and see them develop. I鈥檒l really miss that.
What else will you miss?
The collegiality and the relationships that I鈥檝e developed with current and former Alumni Association board members, alumni volunteers, University colleagues and, of course, my team in the Alumni Engagement office. I鈥檝e had the good fortune to work alongside accomplished, driven and dedicated professionals. They all have a 鈥渃an do鈥 attitude, and what we鈥檝e done together is amazing.
What event did you enjoy most?
Our inaugural Alumni Leaders Conference in 2013. More than 200 current and former alumni leaders returned to campus for an experience that was meant to deepen their relationship with their alma mater. They shared a common sentiment of wanting to give back to an institution that has given so much to them. There was this infectious enthusiasm for alumni engagement at 绿帽社, and it set the stage for us to engage even more alumni.
What鈥檚 next for you?
No one graduates from college thinking they want to be an alumni director. But I can鈥檛 think of a more rewarding career; my work was my play for 31 years. Now, my husband, Howard, and I (with our two dogs) are looking forward to moving into our new home in Florida. I鈥檓 an avid quilter and I鈥檒l have plenty of time for quilting and traveling, learning to play pickle ball and, of course, becoming involved in alumni activities in Florida as a volunteer.