Letter from the President
HHD Alumni Society Board members continue to be very active on behalf of the College of Health and Human Development. Several members of the board made time in very busy work and holiday schedules to join me last December at the HHD commencement reception just three days before Christmas. At that event we had the opportunity to meet scores of new graduates, their families and guests. It was a happy occasion to celebrate HHD students as they move from matriculation to alumni status.
Board members are stepping up in so many ways. When a message went out in January that help was needed with one of our strategic initiatives, the quantity of volunteers exceeded not only our expectations, but also the number needed for the project. I am so proud of our board members—your representatives—for offering their time and talents so generously.
The HHD Honor Society hosted a luncheon roundtable discussion following our Alumni Society Board meeting at the end of March and asked for six board members to attend. Once again the number of interested volunteers was greater than the request!
Two people who top the list of frequent contributors are the alumni who serve with me on the executive committee of the HHD Alumni Society Board; president-elect Mark Mintzer and APG liaison Eileen Soisson. As I promised in our fall 2006 HHD magazine, I want to tell you more about Mark and Eileen.
Mark Mintzer, ’86 PH ED, is president-elect of the board. He brings an unequalled enthusiasm to our group, perhaps a carryover from his varsity cheerleading days at Penn State. Mark champions many student-related causes and activities both in his work and in his service to the College. He is co-founder and managing partner of Fitness Trainers, Inc., a fitness-based organization in the suburban Philadelphia area.
Eileen Soisson ’93 RPM serves on the executive committee as its inaugural APG liaison. Eileen is the conduit between the college’s affiliate program group presidents and the executive committee. She is well qualified for such a role, with professional expertise in helping companies maximize personal and professional performance. Eileen started her own consulting company, The Meeting Institute, LLC, following a career in commercial recreation and hospitality. Her previous experience with recreation and hospitality interns translates into great work with our HHD/RPTM students.
Mark, Eileen, and all of our elected board members, as well as APG presidents, contribute a great deal to the process that makes the HHD Alumni Society Board function smoothly and contribute significantly to the College. I encourage all interested alumni to explore how they may become re-engaged with HHD. While our current team is exceptional, we know we must build on current strategies and success to ensure future excellence.
Kay Salvino
