Dear Alumni,

Commencement was two weeks ago and the graduating class of 2009 walked across the stage of the Théâtre du Châtelet to receive their diplomas. I hope you have all seen the BBC video clip of the ceremony in the Alumni e-newsletter sent last week or on You Tube. Now that the academic year has come to a deeply satisfying close, I wanted to reach out to the alumni community to bring you some news of the University before we all take our well deserved summer breaks.

First, we are delighted to announce that we will be installing new social networking software that will permit AUP alumni all over the world to come together. Our goal is to have this available to you by this fall. It is my fervent belief that every time two AUP graduates connect anywhere in the world it is important both for them and for the University. This new software will include a searchable directory so that you may easily find your fellow alumni by geographical location, by class, by profession, or by name. You will also be able to update your own profile rapidly and efficiently, allowing us to keep up with your moves. There will be a career networking section, as well as facilities for discussion groups, chat rooms, and local chapters. This new software will also help facilitate the organization of alumni events. Finally, we will be able to get news to you faster, better, and continuously.

Second, at our Board of Trustees’ meeting in May, we met with architect Kent Duffy of SRG Partnerships in Portland, Oregon, to begin planning for our increasingly visible, renovated and expanded campus in the 7th. The news is already out in Paris! Please click here to read a recent article in a new English language journal called Paris. You will note that on the editorial page we were applauded for our decision to remain in our spectacular location between the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. We began this year by renovating student lounges and the Grand Salon—including lighting that shows off the remarkable ceiling tableau, improving entryways and lobbies. We will begin repainting and replacing furniture as early as this fall. Our most important shift will be toward proud, commanding signage of our eight buildings across the 7th arrondissement. We are currently working on a banner system that will make our location more than visible from the street, will link visually all our buildings, and will establish a strong presence for AUP in the city of Paris.

Third, we are launching a fundraising drive to support the purchase of the Combes Building, an elegant, hundred-year-old building just a block from the Seine that has been an integral part of AUP’s campus since 1997. This is the first step towards a more comprehensive campaign for AUP’s fiftieth birthday in 2012. I hope each of you will consider giving, along with me, a contribution to the Combes fund, helping us build AUP’s future in the 7th and securing the University’s presence in our resolutely urban campus. Don’t worry if your gift is a small one—giant cathedrals were built stone by stone. The important thing is your participation. Your gift will support the education of generations of future students of The American University of Paris. Click here for more information, and to support the appeal.

As always, I welcome your reactions and input at alumni@aup.edu. I look forward to receiving your suggestions and, above all, I encourage each and every one of you to become deeply engaged with your alma mater— as collectively we take AUP forward into its second half century.

My warmest regards to you,

Celeste Schenck

President

president@aup.fr