Penn State Intercom......October 24, 2002

Alumni Association
mobilizes to support students

The Alumni Association has announced a new initiative in support of the University and higher education. The Penn State Grassroots Network, sponsored by the Alumni Association, is a coalition of alumni, parents and friends who want to be kept apprised of the issues and challenges facing the University and higher education. It also provides an organized structure within Pennsylvania for volunteers to become actively involved in advocating for the University's future and the support of our students. Additionally, network members will increase the public awareness of the value which Penn State brings to the entire commonwealth.

"At the request of our alumni we are forming this organization of Penn State 'friends' -- members and nonmembers, alumni and non-alums, parents and students, and all those who benefit from what Penn State offers and has offered for 150 years," said Diane Ryan, executive director of the association. "Several organized networks which support specific program areas have been very beneficial for Penn State in the past, and we plan to learn from them and work cooperatively with them as we establish this broad-based framework for support and advocacy. Half of our 450,000 alumni live in Pennsylvania; add to that our parents, students, families and friends who all enjoy what Penn State offers throughout the state and the world. It's appropriate that this should come from the Alumni Association. The Alumni Association's mission is to connect alumni and friends to the University and to each other -- and that's what we plan to do with this new initiative."

For more information about the Penn State Grassroots Network, to receive regular network updates or to find out how to become a Grassroots Network volunteer, check the Web at http://alumni.psu.edu/grassroots or call (888) 353-8984.

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