It’s hard to believe that fall is here and Gannon’s Homecoming festivities are just a few days away. It’s an exciting time of the year and the campus comes to life, welcoming Gannon and Villa Maria alumni, families and friends from around the world.
As I recall, the campus will be abuzz all week — clubs and organizations will be frantically preparing for all of the weekend activities, the bookstore will be stocking shelves with Gannon gear and the maintenance crew will be meticulously manicuring every inch of campus green space.
Everyone is looking forward to reconnecting and reuniting with the broader Gannon community. This year’s Homecoming festivities are particularly special for me, as I will be joining four fellow alums from the ‘60s and ‘70s as recipients of Gannon’s Distinguished Alumni Awards.
While exciting in its own right, I am most excited about getting back to campus and personally connecting with all of the students, alums, faculty, staff and administration who make Gannon such an awesome place.
For most alums, we stay connected to Gannon and follow along from behind the blue lights of our computer screens and mobile devices.
The convenience of digital and social media, along with foresight of the Office of Alumni Relations, have made it easier than ever to stay connected to Gannon from around the world.
Sadly enough, in a world riddled with hashtags, text messages, tweets, likes and shares, we often overlook the value and authentic relationships that can be derived from face-to-face interactions.
That being said, I encourage everyone to take the time this coming weekend to rekindle your personal connection with the Gannon community.
Based on the schedule of events, there will be ample opportunity to network and make new face-to-face connections. And if that wasn’t enough, there are plenty of ways to connect with Gannon after Homecoming weekend, too.
Seek out a member of Gannon’s National Alumni Association and/or contact your Regional Alumni Director to find new ways to get involved in your local community well after Homecoming weekend. If you are a student, don’t think you’re being left out – this all applies to you as well.
I hope you are as excited as I am to put down the mobile device next weekend, engage in meaningful conversations, and truly experience Gannon – imagine the possibilities.
LARRY GIOIA, 2004
