For this edition of Almabase Spotlights featuring Liberal Arts Colleges, we shine the spotlight on Roberts Wesleyan College’s Virtual Class Reunion Pizza Parties that helped drive event & giving success at its Stay-At-Home-Coming 2020.

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💡 An Idea to Reconnect Alumni via a Virtual Pizza Party

Adhering to social distancing norms amidst the pandemic, Roberts Wesleyan College organized their flagship event, Homecoming, virtually for the first time ever in 2020. Coupled with other virtual events throughout the week-long Stay-At-Home-Coming, the Office of Advancement successfully hosted four Virtual Class Reunions, topped off with oodles of fun and flavor!

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🍕 Virtual Class Reunion Pizza Party

Roberts Wesleyan College found the perfect way to engage alumni virtually at their Stay-At-Home-Coming 2020 while retaining the fun and nostalgia associated with a traditional class reunion - A Pizza Party! The College hosted four Virtual Class Reunion Pizza Parties on Zoom during their Homecoming week. Alumni from across the country could register using Zoom, order in their favorite pizza, and join in virtually for a fun-filled evening. Each of these events had a designated landing page for sign-ups & a dedicated reunion host (a fellow alum). What we truly loved was the Homecoming Virtual Community Board on the event pages where alumni could post their favorite photos, memories, and GIFs, to win a branded Redhawks (college mascot) facemask. Additionally, Roberts Wesleyan College motivated their alumni to make a gift by announcing several exciting challenges to facilitate competition amongst class years, successfully raising $11,318 during the week.

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The Office of Advancement at Roberts Wesleyan College planned their entire Stay-At-Home-Coming over a short period of 6 weeks. The week-long event incorporated 30 virtual events and witnessed 500+ attendees from around the globe.

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🌟 Our Source of Inspiration

A Roberts alumna herself, Michelle Blaakman is the Director of Engagement and Communication at Roberts Wesleyan College. With 9+ years of Alumni Relations experience, Michelle has been associated with the College since 2011 and is responsible for collaborating with the advancement office to set the vision and strategies for constituent engagement.