Annual Report of Alumni Recruitment and Yield Activities
Summer 2011 – May 2012
The following summary highlights the numerous student recruitment and yield activities that were held
between summer 2011 and May 2012. These activities and programs were jointly coordinated by
UAFYE and The Ohio State University Alumni Association. Please note that this past year included
the transition of the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and from July 2011 through December
2011, there was no one in that role.
Summer Send-off Events (July – September): During late summer and early autumn, 55 clubs
sponsored an informal picnic or other summer event for our newly admitted 2011 freshmen. The
purpose of the event was to congratulate students on their admission to Ohio State, to provide a
means for them and their parents to meet current students and alumni, and to connect with other new
freshmen and parents who will be part of the Ohio State family in the fall. (The Alumni Association
coordinated these events with the sponsoring alumni clubs. UAFYE territory managers also attended
when appropriate.)
Training Sessions (August – May): The purpose of these training sessions was to update alumni
volunteers about Ohio State as it is today, so when they represent the university at student
recruitment events, they can provide accurate information to prospective students and parents.
Because of the transition in the Assistant Director role, no trainings were executed in conjunction with
alumni clubs, However, a training session was held during the Alumni Leaders Conference in
September on campus. A total of 70 alumni attended these sessions.
Autumn Prospective Student Receptions (August – November): 74 alumni attended 14 UAFYE
recruitment events held during autumn 2010. The purpose of these receptions was to provide
information about Ohio State to prospective students and their parents. Special recognition goes to
the Cleveland and Akron Alumni Clubs who had 9 alumni volunteers at the Northeast Ohio Student
Reception with had close to 500 people in attendance. (Nadine Holmes recruited alumni attendance
for these events.)
Academic Tailgate (autumn): This event is designed to complement high school visits. Ross County
Alumni Club co-sponsored a tailgate with Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience
(UAFYE). Alumni mingled at this event, promoted their club’s Alumni Scholarship Programs, and
provided all the food and decorations. (UAFYE - Dan Pohl planned these events directly with alumni
volunteers.)
College Fairs (August – May): Alumni across the country represented Ohio State at 185 high school
college fairs. 18 alumni also assisted territory managers during 18 sessions at 13 NACAC College
Fairs. (Leslie Smith, in the Alumni Association, coordinated alumni attendance at college fairs.
Nadine Holmes, in the Alumni Association, coordinated alumni attendance at the NACAC College
Fairs.)
Overseas Alumni Assistance (autumn and spring): 14 alumni helped our international area by
setting up high school visits, serving as local contacts, and assisting with yield events in Mexico, Italy,
Turkey, UK, India, Qatar, and Indonesia.
High School Drop-off Program (autumn 2011): 46 alumni clubs visited 814 high schools to meet
high school counselors and provide folders of Ohio State recruitment publications for their college
resource libraries. Special recognition goes to the New Jersey Alumni Club who visited over 100
high schools. (Keith Gehres, Assistant Director, planned and coordinated this project.)
Alumni Scholars Program (October – May): Active alumni clubs are eligible to award scholarships
to local students. This year, 102 alumni clubs awarded 390 scholarships. Through this program, clubs
awarded a total of $497,775. (While UAFYE is not involved in this program, it is a very important
recruitment/yield activity coordinated by Nadine Holmes, Leslie Smith, and the alumni clubs.)
African American Alumni Calling Initiative (February - March): 32 African American alumni
attempted 246 calls to admitted African American students encouraging them to pay their acceptance
fee and enroll at Ohio State for autumn 2011. Alumni spoke with 105 students or parents who live in
18 states throughout the country. (This was a joint effort between Nadine Holmes, Eric Hilton
(UAFYE), and Katie Cook.)
Spring Yield Receptions (February – April): 99 alumni attended 27 UAFYE recruitment events that
consisted of lunches, dinners, and receptions for newly admitted autumn 2012 freshmen and their
parents. These events are designed to give students all the information needed to determine if Ohio
State is the right fit for them. Alumni mingled at the event and spoke to students and parents. (Katie
Cook recruited alumni attendance for these events.)
Student Retention Incentive Program (March – April): This program is designed to welcome future
Buckeyes to the Ohio State family and convert admitted students to enrolled students through
personal contact. This year, we only utilized the out-of-state clubs to contact 2012 admitted freshmen
congratulating them on their admission and encouraging them to pay their acceptance fee. 43 clubs
participated for a grand total of 2,357 postcards mailed to students. (Nadine Holmes coordinated this
program.)
High School Academic Signings and Award Banquets (April – May): At the request of UAFYE,
10 alumni attended these events to present Ohio State scholarship award certificates to autumn 2012
admitted student recipients planning to attend Ohio State. (Katie Cook recruited alumni to represent
Ohio State at these high school events.)
Junior Visit Days (May): The Darke County, Ohio alumni club hosted 40 high school juniors and 3
chaperones on a visit to campus. These prospective students took a campus tour, dined in Kennedy
Commons residence hall, and interacted with current Ohio State students. (Nadine Holmes assisted
the alumni club with this visit.)
Submitted by Katie Cook on 6/18/12