Be Involved

The DeSales University Alumni Volunteer Network brings together alumni and friends of the University who are passionate about supporting its mission. Through their time, talents, and involvement, volunteers stay connected to the broader alumni community, serve as ambassadors for DeSales, and help carry the University’s spirit beyond campus.

Membership Guidelines:

•  Be a DeSales alum or an affiliated member of the DeSales community, including friends and supporters of the institution.
• Attend quarterly meetings.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for advancing DeSales and representing the University positively.
• Commit to engaging in events, programs, and activities throughout the year.
• Have reliable access to email to stay informed about opportunities and updates.

Want to help your class celebrate your reunion? Join your reunion committee today!  

Duties as a member of the reunion committee

• Work with the Alumni Office to recruit additional class members to serve on your Reunion planning committee.
• Work to bring classmates back for Reunion Weekend or Homecoming Weekend.
• Help alumni relations promote homecoming and reunion. Methods may include signing letters, writing personal notes, making personal phone calls and emailing friends and classmates.
• Help alumni relations with special reunion year giving. Methods may include signing solicitation letters, writing personal notes, making personal phone calls and emailing friends and classmates.
• Attend Reunion Weekend or Homecoming Weekend festivities.

Melissa Ciment

Each year, DeSales University proudly celebrates alumni who embody the values and spirit of our community. Through professional excellence, dedicated service, and personal integrity, these individuals truly live out our guiding principle: “be who you are and be that well.”

The Alumni Awards honor those whose achievements and character have made a meaningful impact—both within their fields and in the broader community. In addition to recognizing long-standing contributions, the event highlights emerging leaders who, within a decade of graduation, are already shaping the future and upholding the legacy of DeSales.

Additional details will be sent via email. For questions, contact Melissa Ciment at melissa.ciment@desales.edu

Award Nomination Categories include:

• The Alumni Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding member of the DeSales University alumni community whose achievements have stretched far beyond campus and inspired many individuals along the way. This award is given to an alumnus or alumna with a strong commitment to their profession, their family, and their alma mater.
• The Alumni Service Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated extraordinary service to DeSales University, through their time, talent, or treasure. The recipient aids in furthering DeSales University’s mission of “energizing students to be who they are and be that well.”
• The Salesian Spirit Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who models his/her life after the spirit and spirituality of teachings of St. Francis de Sales and best personifies DeSales University’s core values of gratitude, gentleness, humility, hospitality, and/or wisdom. The recipient is someone who puts others before him/herself, gives back to his/her community, and embodies these values in real practical, visible ways of daily living.
• The Young Alumni Achievement Awardrecognizes an alumni or alumna who has graduated within the last 10 years and has notable accomplishments in his/her life. This award is given to an alumnus or alumna with a strong commitment to their profession, their family, and their alma mater.
• The Young Alumni Service Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has graduated within the last 10 years and demonstrated extraordinary service to DeSales University, through their time, talent, or treasure. The recipient aids in furthering DeSales University’s mission of “energizing students to be who they are and be that well.”
• The Young Alumni Salesian Spirit Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has graduated within the past 10 years and models his/her life after the spirit and spirituality of teachings of St. Francis de Sales and best personifies DeSales University’s core values of gratitude, gentleness, humility, hospitality, and/or wisdom. The recipient is someone who puts others before him/herself, gives back to his/her community, and embodies these values in real practical, visible ways of daily living.
• The Dr. John "Coach" Compardo Alumni Impact Award recognizes a singular member of the alumni community or an entire sports team from DeSales University’s past or present. Recipients are chosen based on their impact both on and off of the field, court, track, etc. The individual or team chosen must have or have had an impact on the entire culture of DeSales Athletics. Coach Compardo laid the foundation for not only athletic success but also academic and sportsmanship success. The recipient(s) must continue to lay that foundation.

Alumni are invited to nominate their peers for any award. Nominees are reviewed by members of Institutional Advancement and the University community.

Make Your Nomination

Calling all DeSales alumni, help us find deserving students!

Heritage Scholarship submissions for students entering in the Fall are open until December 1 of the prior calendar year.  The nominated incoming student must be a full-time traditional first-year student in Fall to be eligible, a current student is not eligible for the program.

This program will allow you, our alumni, to identify students who are looking at DeSales as a possible college of choice. Those prospective students highlighted by our alumni to our admissions office will be given priority consideration for admission to DeSales University as well as priority consideration for merit scholarships. It is possible that an applicant may not receive Heritage Scholarship if they are receiving maximum financial package.

Each prospective student may only receive one Heritage Scholarship. This scholarship is non-transferable to any other institution.

Make Your Recommendation

Thank you for recommending prospective DeSales students!