If you haven’t already, I hope you will soon notice a change in how this association of Cavalier Daily alumni operates.

As president, I hope to shift this organization’s focus away from being a former Managing Board-centric organization to a group more approachable and attractive to all 1,600 Cavalier Daily alumni.

As a good first step to meeting that goal, The Cavalier Daily Alumni Association will host two first-class gatherings in Charlottesville in the upcoming months. The first will be during the University’s Reunions Weekend. I encourage everyone to stop by and visit with friends at the Biltmore Grill on Friday, June 5, and the Lawn on Sunday, June 7. In addition, the staff of The Cavalier Daily will host an open house on Friday and will have bound volumes from your time as a Hoo on display.

The second event is our traditional garden party during Homecoming weekend, Oct. 3-4. Attendance at this event went through the roof last year, and I expect it to become an even bigger event this year. Remember to get your football tickets early!

I am also pleased to report that our outreach efforts to soon-to-be Cavalier Daily alumni have gone well. It has been a priority of mine to raise the visibility of the CDAA beyond the CD managing board and get current staffers interested in this organization even before they graduate. In fact, I have just returned from The Cavalier Daily’s spring cocktail party where Capt. and Mrs. Mike Pierson and I presented a record four CDAA scholarships, including the new Kristian M. Pierson Memorial Photography Scholarship, to current staffers. (See Pierson.)

In the next year, I hope to organize a concerted effort to gather volunteers to give a small amount of time to the CDAA. The committees are set up with motivated chairmen at their helms. Now we just need people to actually be on the committees and commit a minimal amount of time. You can write a story for College Topics, help expand our incredible web site, speak at a CD workshop, forward job openings, or do just about anything. The possibilities are endless.

In closing, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Lisa Guernsey, who is stepping down as program director of the CDAA. Over the past five years, Lisa found the time and motivation to organize one high quality workshop or conference after another. Incoming program director Patrick Riccards, while certainly up to the task, will have a tough act to follow.

In addition, I want to thank alumni and parents for all the donations of time and money that they have made this year. Please be assured that your contributions are noticed and are much appreciated.