As each person picked up their gown, the tent provided some relief from the September heat. There was a frisson of excitement for the occasion. The group shuffled in the long lines wondering what's happening next. This isn't graduation day, Julia Morrow assured me. Instead, Morrow was describing her first day at Georgetown University. The orientation programme included a special ceremony for new students. “They gave you a black gown as a symbol of your graduation in four years,” Morrow remembers, “They said that forever when you graduate you will be part of the Georgetown community.” With all the look and feel of commencement, the new students filed into the first few rows of seats for this event. They beamed from this initial accomplishment. “It's something you’ve been looking forward to for a long time and you are finally there,” Morrow says. Julia Morrow is not the only one who noticed a special tone set from the moment she stepped onto campus. Universities across the globe are establishing an ‘Alum from Day One’ approach.

Universities often start the alumni education early. It is hoped that with these efforts, students will subconsciously develop an active student life to eventually translate to becoming an active alum. For Julia Morrow, life wasn't so linear. She came from a family of Georgetown graduates. This made Morrow's decision to transfer to another university after her first year even more difficult. Now a proud double Trinity College Dublin graduate, Morrow remains active with her alma mater. She attends campus events and volunteers as a student mentor. She attributes her understanding of keeping in touch from Georgetown. The ultimate beneficiary? Her current alma mater. Think back to the first day of university. Was there any subtle hints of an alumni presence? In my case, legendary author and alum Margaret Atwood spoke at orientation. This impressed even my teenage self, though I didn't grasp the magnitude of alumni connection at the time.

Fast forward to graduation day. Standing at a podium, or, as part of an online broadcast, a president, vice-chancellor, or rector reminds graduates to keep in touch. This is our invitation to remain connected to our alma mater. There is fullness in this seemingly empty sentiment.