The thought of graduation looms in many seniors’ minds at this time of year. Some anxious to… The thought of graduation looms in many seniors’ minds at this time of year. Some anxious to move on, some scared at the endless possibilities and others that cannot wait to have their diploma in hand.

Pitt’s Alumni Association wants students to hold onto their ties at Pitt and stay involved in the University even though they may graduate.

“Once students graduate we want them to still be a part of the Pitt family,” Lee Tatouillet, executive director of the Alumni Association, said.

The Alumni Association is teaming up with the Blue and Gold Society to implement a strategic plan to increase membership and student involvement.

Its mission statement is to support Pitt and enrich the lives of alumni worldwide.

“This is a way to forge a greater connection with the students and the Alumni Association,” Tatouillet said.

According to Tatouillet, it is working to improve the quality of the student experience and get more students involved.

The Alumni Association also started a program called “random acts of panther kindness” where its members try to reach out to the students. Passing out hot chocolate to students in line for tickets at the basketball games and handing out Pitt pride buttons on campus are a few of the “random acts of panther kindness.”

“We’re trying to get the word out that the Alumni Association is there for the students,” Mary Jean Lovett, adviser of the Blue and Gold Society, said.

“We want them to understand the benefits of a lifelong relationship with the university,” she said.

Representing more than 50 student groups at Pitt, the Blue and Gold Society currently has 32 members and is hoping to recruit more students to get involved. They look for students with scholarship involvement, community service interests and a strong sense of Pitt pride.

In the hallways of Alumni Hall, where both the Alumni Association and the Blue and Gold Society offices are located, on-campus students are often referred to as “alumni in residence,” according to Lovett.

“The Blue and Gold Society are the student leaders of today that will hopefully become our alumni leaders of tomorrow,” Lovett said.