There’s no place like home. That’s what the McIntire School External Affairs team learned as it rolled out the fall 2002 “Commonwealth Blitz” campaign.

“Because 7,000 of McIntire’s 12,000 alumni live in Virginia, we decided to create a broad-based program designed to build stronger bonds with our alumni located right here in the Commonwealth,” says Director of Annual Programs and Special Projects Katie Whittier.

The campaign includes several key components:

• McIntire Alumni Networking Events in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Charlottesville (click on each city to see highlights of the events)

• Roundtable lunches in locations around the state

• Collaboration with the College of Arts & Sciences on Blitz activities of mutual interest

• Building affinity groups as well as leadership gift fundraising

“We’ve been delighted with the results of the Commonwealth Blitz,” Whittier says. “It’s especially gratifying to build new relationships and enhance longstanding friendships. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our friendships with alumni across the state—and around the world.”