Alumni Blog

Alumni are a powerful resource to admissions offices. “The connection is everything,” says Lucas Ruiz, '11 Assistant Director of Admissions. “Being able to connect the institution with the person, and the affinity the student has with this person, entices them to consider Seattle University. That makes a big difference.” An alum can be the first contact for a high school student to connect with and learn about the campus and the community.

While prospective students may want to know general information about SU, alumni offer real and personal experiences about classes, favorite professors, making friends and the type of campus community Seattle U provides. “Alumni are Seattle University’s strongest advocates and recruiters. Merely by doing their own great work, with a heart inspired by their time at SU, alumni proudly broadcast the exceptional education one can get here,” says Jonathan Brown, '92, '94, Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement.

With the start of fall term just around the corner for high school students across the state, now is the perfect time to take a future Redhawk out for coffee or connect at a family gathering to discuss your memorable experiences. Tell them about any clubs or activities you were involved in or why Seattle University was the best college for you.

Top 3 Ways to Get Involved Today:

Nominate a Future Redhawk

• Participate in our Alumni Referral Program. It generates a personalized referral to the prospective student, while introducing this future Redhawk to the SU Admissions.

Share your Pride with a SU Pennant

• Work at a school or in a community-based organization? Need an SU pennant to show off your school pride and start conversations with future college students about your own experience? The first 5 people to email alumnivoice@seattleu.edu will receive a SU spirit pack that contains a t-shirt, SU college pennant and more! Tell us your role, who you work for, and how this spirit pack will help you engage a future Redhawk. Additionally, 50 more teachers, counselors and others who work with students will receive a pennant to proudly hang in their office or classroom!

Attend an Event

• Stay informed and connected by attending an alumni event. Find a complete listing of alumni events and choose one to attend. Connect with other alums and keep up on the latest happenings and news so you can promote the Seattle U of yesterday and today.

Alumni now have the opportunity to join faculty and staff in the Arrupe Seminar, a year-long exploration of the history, spirituality and educational vision of the Jesuits, with a specific focus on how this tradition is relevant to the current challenges and opportunities at Seattle University.

The seminar will start in October and runs for 15 sessions on Tuesdays from 3:45-5:35 p.m. or Wednesdays from 8-9:50 a.m., ending in May.

Previously open to faculty and staff only, alumni are now invited to participate. One alum who is also a staff member says about the seminar, “I am an alum and have worked here for 2 years, but this seminar really brought it all together for me.”

The seminar is available to people of all faith traditions, no faith background, atheists, and all seekers. It explores the spirituality of the Jesuits in order to understand the foundations of Jesuit education with a lens toward uncovering the mysteries of the human experience.

Through readings, presentations and discussions, seminar participants learn about the life of St. Ignatius, the tradition of personal and communal discernment, Ignatian spirituality, the commitment to justice in Jesuit education, the key role of laywomen within Jesuit ministries, and the relevance of the Jesuit heritage to the challenges and possibilities facing SU today.

The seminar is free of charge and participants will be provided with reading materials and refreshments.

Email arrupeseminar@seattleu.edu for information or to register.