Dear Friends,
I think
most CMA alumni would agree that the Academy gave us the training we needed to
pursue outstanding and exciting careers. It also gave us lasting
friendships, countless memories, and an understanding of what it means to
support our shipmates.
That's why it surprised me when I recently learned that only 9% of our alumni
give each year to the Cal Maritime Fund. 9%! I was shocked. I would have
guessed it was 5 times that. After all, the Cal Maritime Fund helps to
support the cadets who are following in our footsteps by providing funding for
things like scholarships, cruise and athletic programs.
I am pleased to announce that our alumni representatives on the Foundation
and Alumni Association Boards have launched a CMA Class Challenge. The
competition will culminate at the end of June for this giving year.
Classes will be honored the categories of:
- highest percentage of donors;
- most money donated; and
- most improved participation.
Winning
classes will be featured in the Fall 2009 Cal Maritime magazine and
online. In addition, they will receive prominent recognition at
Homecoming this October and will be featured on the inaugural "Class Honor
Wall."
Please make a gift of any size to the Cal Maritime Fund, which you can now do
online by clicking here. When you make your gift, it will automatically be credited to
your class.
After you make your donation, I encourage you to contact a classmate and ask
them to do the same. You can track your class participation and look up your classmates online or call the alumni office at 707-654-1228. The goal is to end the year with numbers we can brag
about.
To get this race started, I have already made my gift and phoned a
friend. May the best class win! | Jim Bryant '56
Chair, CMA Foundation |
P/S... If
you have not logged into the new Alumni Online Community contact Silvia Regalado, Alumni Affairs Coordinator, at sregalado@csum.edu (707) 654-1228.