From November until February, the ETSU Alumni Association began their Alumni Arctic Adventures series of events including Cookie Decorating, Frost and Fun Skate, Night at the Knoxville Ice Bears and Frosty Afternoon Movie. Encouraging alumni, students and family to kindle connections while spreading school spirit, they welcome everyone to participate in the series of family-friendly experiences to celebrate community and the holiday season.
The Alumni Association was inspired by their summer series where they held three low-cost, family-oriented events throughout June and July. After gathering positive feedback, they brought the tradition back for the winter in time for festive celebrations with family, friends and loved ones. Executive Director Whitney Goetz has overseen the association since 2020, and alongside Development Associate Savannah Kern, they have planned for Arctic Adventures since the beginning of the semester in September.
“Our goal is to connect and reconnect with our alumni, have an opportunity for them to connect with their alma mater and with each other,” Goetz said.
With 110,000 alumni throughout the world, the team’s goal is connection despite distance. The association hopes to keep the ETSU spirit alight and keep the Buccaneer essence alive with supportive ties to its academic past. They aim to cover as much ETSU ground as possible and offer fun events in Johnson City and Knoxville.
The association made it a mission for the planned occasions to be favorable to the whole family, keeping children and the younger audience in mind. Knowing that some alumni have not revisited campus since graduation or before COVID-19, the team used this as an opportunity to showcase new resources and renovations such as University Commons, the skating rink and the D.P. Culp Student Center.
Looking forward, the Alumni Association will continue to promote community-based growth and encourage lasting bonds between alumni, students and families. For more information on Arctic Adventures events and registration, visit https://www.etsualumni.org/s/974/bp18/interior.aspx?sid=974&gid=1&pgid=5117.
