The Spire

Viveca Stucke ‘26 

Chief Features Editor

1. What is the primary purpose of the Office of Advancement?

The Office of Advancement is dedicated to inspiring and deepening the continued engagement with the College. Our goal is both to connect our alumni and friends to benefits, services and one another, and together ensure through philanthropic support that future generations of students have experiences as profound and transformative as generations that have come before.

2. What are some initiatives that the Office of Advancement works on?

Advancement makes sure that Crusaders stay connected to The Hill and to each other, for life, helping you stay involved and support our mission. From regional networking opportunities to webinars, and from affinity groups and regional clubs to Homecomings and Reunions on Mount St. James and more, we plan events for alumni across the country and the world. Advancement serves as a hub for all graduates to reconnect with cherished moments of life at Holy Cross, including athletics, arts, services, traditions, volunteer and mentoring opportunities. Most importantly, we also inspire a culture of philanthropic engagement to help the college achieve our top strategic priorities … all to ensure that the next generation of Holy Cross students experience the same transformational Jesuit education that our College has become renowned for.

3. What does the Office of Advancement offer to students and alumni?

Students can engage with Advancement through their Recognized Student Organization (RSO) to fundraise during our two largest giving events each year: Giving Tuesday and Giving Day. Advancement also promotes events that students benefit from, such as the annual Donut Day (one of our favorite days of the year!).

For alumni, we offer several services. Most notable include on-campus events for Reunion and Homecoming, in addition to hundreds of networking and affinity group events across the country — to make sure Crusaders stay connected with each other and to link Crusaders with career opportunities and mentors found in our alumni network.

4. How can students/alumni become more involved with the Office of Advancement?

We welcome students to work in our office, where they can directly and meaningfully interact with other students and alumni through events, outreach and fundraising activities. Seniors can join the Senior Class Gift Committee, a 10-year old initiative encouraging the culture of philanthropy among seniors to benefit future Holy Cross students. The Class of 2025 recently set a new school-wide record for number of donors in a single year, and we’re thinking that the Class of 2026 can crush that number with their Senior Class Gift.

Alumni are deeply involved with the Office of Advancement. Apart from attending on-campus celebrations or regional events, alumni play key roles in volunteer leadership, serving the entire Crusader community on the Board of the Holy Cross Alumni Association or keeping their respective classes involved as chairs, correspondents or agents. Holy Cross’ tradition of service and generosity makes us truly one of the most engaged and most philanthropic alumni networks in the nation!

5. What is the importance of the Office of Advancement for the Holy Cross community?

Put simply, Advancement is important to the Holy Cross community in two ways:

First, we make it possible for every alum to remain a meaningful member of the Holy Cross community throughout their lifetime, no matter where they are.

Second, by inspiring philanthropic support, we make sure that every current and future student has a profound, transformational experience at Holy Cross, leading them to a life of impact.

Featured image courtesy of College of the Holy Cross

Copy edited by Colette Potter ‘26