Ms. Mark is a longstanding Yale volunteer, including a five-time reunion gift committee co-chair, and was awarded the Yale Medal in 2010. We asked her to share her reflections as a Yale reunion gift committee member.
Why do you volunteer for Yale?
Yale changed my life, pure and simple. It was the first place I felt truly at home. All of my closest friends are connected to me via Yale. Everyone who knows me knows how much I care about the university. I can’t give back enough. When I decided to go to Stanford and not return to Yale for grad school, I felt like a traitor!
You have been a volunteer for a number of previous reunion gift campaigns. What brings you back each reunion?
Although the needs of the university change, the fact that support is needed doesn’t. So, I will return as long as I can help.
Do you volunteer for other organizations? What makes your Yale experience different?
I have volunteered to fundraise for other organizations, and am happy to do so, but Yale has been the place that I have consistently fundraised for—45 years; I find I only remain interested in devoting the time and energy elsewhere for a much shorter period of time (a decade or less).
These are very challenging times. Is it easier or harder to connect with classmates?
Challenging is putting it mildly. I think it is in fact easier to (re)connect, as everyone seems to want as much human contact as possible, especially with those connected with an experience they cherish, during these insanely difficult times.
Do you have any advice for a first-time gift committee member?
Enjoy the conversations and make them as honest and open as possible.
