09/16 - Scranton Online Alumni Community Receives Two Awards

The University of Scranton's Online Alumni Community received two recognition awards from one of the nation's top internet providers at a recent users conference on Amelia Island, off the coast of North Florida. Seventy-four institutions competed for eight related awards.

Harris Internet Services, headquartered in Purchase, New York, praised The University of Scranton's Online Alumni Community for "Most Effecitve Branding," an award voted on by peers. The award acknowledged the look and feel of the community: how well the graphics compare with the graphics on the university's main Web site and how well the community maintains and supports the look, feel and brand of the university. The other award resulted from highest click-through from a broadcast e-mail to announce the launch of the site.

"We are proud to be recognized for this new service to our alumni,"said Robert P. Zelno, executive director of the 35,000 member alumni organization. "We are especially pleased about the award for the highest amount of activity since it indicates that our alumni are visiting the community."

The Scranton Online Alumni Community (www.scranton.edu/alumnicommunity) was launched on May 1 as an alternative to the traditional alumni directory publication. The online community offers such features as an online directory of University of Scranton alumni, permanent e-mail and professional resources including career postings and yellow page listings of alumni.

Since the launch date, over one-third of the university's alumni population have registered with active e-mail addresses on the online directory.

Further information on the community is available from Marise Garofalo, associate director of development and research, (570) 941-7660.