On Friday, September 23, 2011, CEU held the biggest alumni reunion that the University had ever had in Bucharest to-date. Nearly 100 alumni joined us at the beautiful historical premises of the Central University Library. Guests were welcomed by CEU President and Rector John Shattuck, who spoke about the importance of having an active CEU alumni chapter in Romania and recognized a few distinguished alumni from the region. Among them was Monica Macovei (LEGS '93), currently Member of the European Parliament, Member of the CEU Board of Trustees and Former Minister of Justice in Romania.
Monica Macovei Became 20th Anniversary Alumni Hero
President Shattuck personally handed Ms. Macovei her "20th Anniversary CEU Alumni Hero" award, in recognition of her professional achievements and her outstanding contribution to the University since graduation. She received the award with a moving speech that related how CEU had changed her life, as it had done, she felt, for so many of her fellow alumni in the region at a politically and socially challenging time for Europe. She shared a personal story about the pivotal moment in her career when, within an hour of one unexpected phone call, she had had to decide whether or not to accept the post of Romania's Minister of Justice. She told her audience here that the courage she had needed to seize that moment and accept the post had been influenced by things that CEU had taught her. She encouraged her fellow alumni in the audience to seize the moment as well and apply the fundamental skills that they've gained during and after CEU in order to perpetuate positive change in the region.
Alumni Shared Stories and Announced Engagement
These inspiring talks were followed by a dynamic Q & A session, where the floor opened up for a group discussion. Many alumni took this chance to share their personal stories of life and work after CEU. One couple of alumni, who had met at CEU, also seized the moment to announce their recent engagement.
Inspired Alumni Offered to Volunteer for Romanian Alumni Chapter
As the reception continued in this positive vein and many alumni reconnected with old friends from CEU, while others took the chance to make new friends and establish professional connections in the region, a number of alumni offered to volunteer their time and energy to help continue the tradition of reunions and impacting CEU projects by their local alumni chapter.
The newly developed CEU Alumni Chapter in Romania page on this website hosts the names and contacts of local alumni leaders, who welcome questions or ideas for future events and activities by CEU alumni and friends in Romania. If you would like to get involved in CEU's alumni group in Romania, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the listed alumni leaders or directly e-mail the ARCS team at alumni@ceu.hu.
The CEU Alumni Team would also like to thank Andreea Craciun (LEGS '04) and Valentina Dimulescu (POLS '09) for their invaluable help in making the Bucharest reunion such a success.
Thanks to Alumni Donors, Romania Now Ranks 11th in Fundraising Participation!
The CEU Alumni Reunion in Bucharest also marked a success in fundraising for CEU. As many as 16 pledges and donations amounted up to USD 2,000 for the CEU Alumni Campaign, all of which will directly support student scholarships and the overall well-being of the University and its community.
The enthusiastic support from CEU alumni and friends at the reunion placed the Romanian Alumni Chapter in the 11th place (climbing up from #17) in the alumni participation rankings for the CEU Alumni Campaign this year. Help the Romanian alumni chapter make it to the Top 10 by making your gift of any size! Click here to learn more and make a gift. Remeber: even the smallest gift makes a difference.
We would like to thank all alumni and friends who donated for their generous support! Please find the names of our alumni donors on the CEU Alumni Donors List.
Photos & Keeping in Touch
Please find the photos from the evening in the CEU Alumni & Friends in Romania Facebook group or by clicking on the thumbnails below.