Alumni in Focus
How the U of A Alumni Engagement Team is Creating Bonds with Wildcats Everywhere
Each summer, as the sun warms the trees and the crisp mountain air of Pinetop, Wildcats gather for a weekend of golf, community and tradition.
The Bear Down in the Pines tournament is about more than strolling on the green. The annual event has raised thousands of dollars for student scholarships while bringing Wildcats of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate over their shared bond with the University of Arizona.
“Some of the participants have been golfing in this for 20-plus years,” Jonelle Vold ’01 says, her smile wide and welcoming. This past summer, she attended Bear Down in the Pines alongside several members of the alumni team and a large group of local volunteers. “It was amazing to see everyone put their time, talent and treasure to support the next generation of Wildcats.”
The Alumni Engagement Team
For Vold, who now oversees the team that organizes the tournament, the experience is particularly meaningful: In August, she became the first senior vice president of alumni engagement and prospect development at the U of A Foundation. Saying she was excited for her first day would be an understatement.
“I love this university. I am a proud Wildcat alumna, and I am thrilled to take on this amazing opportunity.”
Vold is excited to grow a cohesive, Wildcat-focused team to lead alumni engagement for the university. “As stewards of the alumni relationship, we have a real opportunity to connect heritage, tradition and pride,” she says. “We have put together an incredibly talented team of engagement professionals who are passionate about this university. We are building on the great foundation of those that have done this work before us and leaning into technology and other new and innovative ways to grow alumni communities.”
Under Vold’s leadership, the alumni team, including Krista Voth, the interim executive director of the team, is reimagining the ways Wildcats can stay connected, whether through regional chapters and clubs or returning to campus to enjoy the 100-plus-year tradition of Homecoming, which has been organized by Associate Director of Alumni Events and Traditions Lisa Valentine ’91 ’97 ’03 for over 20 years.
“There is so much happening at the university,” Vold says. “Most people know about the Athletics side of the house, but we also have amazing arts and cutting-edge research. If you were a student here 50 years ago, you might not be aware of all the incredible re-search happening at the university that’s making all our lives better. We want to share the magic of this university with alumni across the country to give all of our alums something to be proud of.”
Vold wants alumni to benefit from connecting with one another. “When I think about the people who have helped me get to where I am, or anytime that I was stuck, I’ve gone back to Wildcats,” she reflects. “I’ve called friends from law school and mentors from my time at the university.”
One of Vold’s favorite moments in her new role came at Homecoming, when she inducted the newest members of the Silver & Sage Society, which honors alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. She met with three groups of alumni who attended the event with their former college roommates, a reminder of the lifelong relationships formed at the University of Arizona.
“When I meet alums, the chance that they’ve had a good experience is pretty substantial. The chance that they’ve had a great experience is even higher,” she says. “People come here because they are looking for that unique Wildcat experience, where the entire community is centered around the university. To have the opportunity to meet people and hear their stories is inspiring.”