A strong alumni body is integral to any great university. SMU is proud that many alumni have been returning back to support their alma mater despite their hectic personal and professional lives. Last year, Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) organised an appreciation ceremony to recognise about 250 alumni who had been giving back to SMU regularly.
On 11th November 2016, over 300 alumni were honoured at the SMU Alumni Appreciation Dinner held at Orchard Hotel with SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer as the Guest of Honour. SMU faculty and staff will also be there to engage and thank our alumni for their contributions.
The Alumni Appreciation Dinner is our way of thanking and showing the University’s appreciation to our active and selfless alumni for their contributions. Our alumni leaders and volunteers were entertained by emcee alum Lester Leo (BBM, 2010), and enjoyed the wonderful performances from the SoundFoundry Alumni band Shikaye and the SMU Ballare Alumni Group.
A Best Dressed segment was carried out to the theme of Hollywood Glamour. The Best Dressed Male was awarded to President of MWM Alumni Group Heng Koon How (MWM, 2010) who was very sporting to come in dressed as Elvis Presley. Best Dressed Female went to President of MI Alumni Group Elfarina Zaid (MI, 2013) who gave a lovely catwalk to the cheering crowd. The dinner ended off with a lucky draw and everyone had a fantastic time catching up with one another.
Here are some highlights from the event. Click here to view the event photos. Hear why our alumni continue to be passionate about SMU in this video.
Need an Emcee for your functions? Click here to find out more on how you can engage Emcee Lester Leo for your events!
The following groups of alumni volunteers were recognised during the Alumni Appreciation Dinner 2016.
SMU Alumni Association (SMUAA)
As an umbrella alumni body, the SMUAA plays a crucial role in promoting lifelong relationships between SMU alumni and their alma mater, and serves as an advocate for the University. Working in partnership with the Office of Alumni Relations, the SMUAA through their wide array of events, personal and professional development courses, and other programmes contributes to building a connected alumni community. Recently SMUAA opened and managed our very own alumni Bistro - B3 located at SIS Building Basement Concourse. We salute the selfless individuals serving in the SMUAA Executive Committee and other various committees for their time and energy in strengthening alumni bonds.
Alumni Groups Leaders
Alumni Groups play a critical role in engaging various segments of the alumni community. They provide opportunities for our alumni to connect in niche networks based on affinity to our six Schools, or through academic programmes or shared interests. These Alumni Groups, through their common professional and social interests, constitute effective channels in fostering cohesive networks. They assist the SMUAA in strengthening alumni bonds and with the University. To all Alumni Group leaders, we recognise your invaluable contributions!
Overseas Chapters Leaders
Overseas Alumni Chapters are integral to SMU's presence internationally, contribute to expanding SMU's global footprints, and enable our overseas alumni to continue their links to their alma mater. Chapter leaders help to forge important connections, share local knowledge, and foster cultural exchanges when students, faculty and staff visit on official business and during study missions. We appreciate them for keeping the SMU flag flying!
Class Representatives - Postgraduate and Undergraduate
Class representatives play a vital role in keeping the respective cohorts connected with each other and their alma mater. They keep their peers informed about alumni events and developments in their alma mater. We appreciate them for their time and energy in contributing to alumni cohesion.
Alumni Ambassadors
With the wide array of alumni events, a group of passionate alumni have stepped to the fore to assist in alumni engagement. SMU Alumni Ambassadors are specially appointed alumni leaders who believe in the importance of strong linkages between alumni and other stakeholders in the SMU community. The Alumni Ambassadors' role includes advising the Office of Alumni Relations and SMU Alumni Association on strategies for more effective alumni engagement, creating greater awareness of alumni activities among fellow alumni, and facilitating meaningful interactions among alumni and other SMU stakeholders at alumni-related events and activities. We are proud to recognise this Alumni Group, the SMU Alumni Ambassadors!
Alumni Mentors
Our Alumni Mentors are a selfless group of individuals who volunteer their time and willingly share their experiences and knowledge to help students. They are friends, coaches, motivators, and a resource to students. They make a positive impact on the lives of others, by paving the way for their juniors to be successful in school and beyond. Many return year after year despite hectic professional and family lives. We honour our alumni mentors and express our heartfelt appreciation for their dedication and commitment.
Alumni Volunteers - Nominations from Schools and Offices
Our alumni have been making a difference for SMU! Whether it’s returning to serve on committees, coaching their juniors in CCA clubs or for competitions, mentoring and giving career advice to SMU students or younger alumni, or giving back to the university in terms of time, talents or resources, our alumni continue to fly the SMU flag high – thus exemplifying the SMU Spirit. These alumni volunteer their time with the six Schools and various departments and offices; their efforts have contributed towards the building of a more cohesive SMU community. It is fitting that these alumni should be recognised and we thank them for their contributions.