KINGSTON, R.I. — June 9, 1999 — Michele A. Nota of Narragansett, R.I., has been named executive director of Alumni Relations and secretary to the Alumni Association at the University of Rhode Island. A 1987 alumna with a bachelor of science degree in Management, Nota had served as interim executive director of the office since September. Prior to that, she spent 10 years with the URI Annual Fund, the University’s annual private fund-raising drive. Nota served as director of the Annual Fund during her last five years there. In making the announcement about Nota’s latest promotion, URI’s Vice President for Advancement Robert M. Beagle and URI Alumni Association President Alan Wasserman said that her managerial experience, budget development expertise, commitment to broad-based programming, understanding of fund raising, experience working with volunteers, and knowledge of URI alumni were all factors in her selection. Beyond that, there are the intangibles. “I love the University,” Nota says, explaining why she has spent most of her professional life at URI. The feeling apparently is mutual. Her staff threw her a surprise party to celebrate-only the latest and most visible sign of support for her promotion. “Michele did a first-rate job as interim director, and we are fortunate that her year’s time in the position helped convince her that she wanted the job from both a personal and professional standpoint,” says Beagle. “She received the overwhelming support of both the Search Committee and the Alumni Association Executive Board.” “Many alumni volunteers who have worked with her this year were among those encouraging her to apply for the job and suggested that she look at the position in a permanent way,” says Wasserman. As executive director, Nota is responsible for coordinating, promoting and implementing comprehensive alumni programs at URI. The office handles three major functions each year: Alumni Weekend, which this year takes place June 3 through June 6; Homecoming on October 23; and the Winter Gala, which raises funds for scholarships, in February. In addition, a series of national, regional and in-state alumni events take place all year long, around the country. Nota supervises a staff of 30, including the Publications and Advancement Services departments. “It’s a challenge,” Nota admits. It is not the only one she’s facing. She takes the helm at a time when the University is trying to find new ways to reach out to alumni. “Our classes are larger, with more than 2,000 students graduating each year,” Nota says. “So just because of sheer size, it’s unlikely that their primary affinity will be with their graduating class.” Instead, reunions might be with their academic college or with extracurricular activities like the debate team, the band, or with an athletics team, Nota says. “We’re trying to do a better job of finding where alumni affinities lie.” Geography poses another challenge. About half of URI alumni live out of state. “We’re trying to find ways to maintain the link to alumni across the country,” Nota says. Technology helps. “We’re making greater use of the Internet and e-mail services,” especially those organized around specific subject areas. Married to Andrew Nota, director of parks and recreation for Narragansett, they have three young children. Two of them attend the URI Child Development Center. “We go off to school and work together in the morning,” Nota jokes. And who knows, these could be the next URI alumni in the family. For More Information: Ann MacDonald, 874-2116