The Exponential Power of Laurentians
President Morris reflects on the power of the Alumni Network.
Last April, I had the opportunity to help honor Trustee Emeritus David Officer ’67 at the “Who’s Your Saint?” Event in New York City. It was a lively gathering of many of David’s former interns and mentees spanning decades of Laurentian connections dating back to the Class of 1979.
Looking around the room on that Monday evening, it was clear that David has cemented his status as a St. Lawrence “super connector.” I’m sure when he decided to become an Admissions volunteer just a few years after graduation, he couldn’t have predicted how many Laurentians’ lives he would go on to impact. He built relationships organically, staying in touch with his “recruits” throughout their St. Lawrence career and taking an interest in their development and success after graduation. He was a mentor for many and connected dozens of them with internships and jobs.
When the topic of his impact on generations of Laurentians comes up, David is quick to emphasize how much he and his wife Joan get out of these special St. Lawrence relationships, which are more than professional—they’re genuinely personal. David and Joan have enjoyed attending graduations, weddings, athletic events, and other important life milestones of David’s mentees over the years. They love staying in frequent contact with students and young alumni. “It keeps us current and looking forward,” says David.
In this spring issue, you’ll read more inspiring stories that highlight the real-world impact of our No. 2-ranked St. Lawrence alumni network. So many pivotal relationships in our students’ paths begin with SLU Connect, a program that brings students to key locations across the country, where they engage with alumni, parents, and friends through site visits, industry roundtables, and networking opportunities. Our dedicated alumni and parent volunteers share their expertise, professional insights, career guidance—and often business cards or LinkedIn connections—helping students navigate their paths with confidence.
The SLU Connect program began in 2015 in Washington, D.C., and gradually expanded to Albany, Boston, Bozeman and Big Sky, Burlington, San Francisco, and New York. This year, we introduced SLU Connect Buffalo and Rochester, and true to form, our alumni and parent volunteers came out in force to inform and inspire our students. Following the recent New York City SLU Connect event, senior Laurentian Colby Lauria ’25 scheduled five days of coffee chats with alumni and shared a fun video on our StLawrenceU Instagram and TikTok accounts highlighting some of the valuable advice he received.
Other stories in this issue shine a light on the trusting relationships built between students and their professors and how those carry forward into career settings. You’ll learn about how Geoff Baum ’10 and Charles A. Dana Professor of Computer Science Ed Harcourt have built a Laurentian talent pipeline at a New Haven, Connecticut, tech startup. Sustaining Saint Madison Wilcox Shifley ’14 shares her personal and professional St. Lawrence stories, including how she has tapped her former professors for help identifying top St. Lawrence graduates—leading her company to hire 30 Laurentians and counting.
Almost without exception, every St. Lawrence professional networking story is interwoven with one of personal friendship—even lifelong bonds. David Officer may be the truest embodiment of the St. Lawrence network at work, and I encourage us all to channel a little bit of him where we can. See if you can answer the question, “Who’s your Saint?” Or better yet, “Whose Saint are you?”
