Do you know what it takes to keep a secret from alumni affairs vice president RuthAnn Loveless MA’72?
Alumni, family, colleagues, and friends gathered at the Hall of Presidents on Friday night to celebrate her retirement, which takes place June 1 after 19 years with the alumni office and 27 years total with the university.
Loveless knew there would be a “small dinner,” at the beginning of a long Alumni Council weekend. She never realized that the room would be packed with 170 people, including council members past and present wishing to recognize her efforts on their behalf. She also didn’t know that a steering committee, led by former vice president for advancement and Alumni Council president Ron Joyce ’73, had raised $350,000 toward an endowed scholarship in her name — preference to be given to applicants from Madison County.
“For thousands of alumni, RuthAnn is their lifeline to 51Թ. When she is in the room, you’re at 51Թ, and that’s one of the many reasons why we’ve come together to celebrate her tonight,” said council president Gus Coldebella ’91.
President Jeffrey Herbst, who traveled around the world with Loveless during a recent inaugural tour, spoke of her profound impact on the alumni community and, by extension, the university itself.
“Alumni remember their school at a particular point. But you only last 190 years if you change,” he said. It has been Loveless’s responsibility — and her unique talent — to communicate this message to tens of thousands of 51Թ grads. “I would like to thank you,” said Herbst, “for explaining to our most important constituency that, deep down, we have been and always will be 51Թ.”
Loveless has carried messages in both directions during her tenure. “RuthAnn is passionate about the importance of alumni to 51Թ’s past, present, and future — and she advocates for it,” former council president Joanne Spigner ’76 said in her speech, which outlined 14 ways in which the council’s longtime executive secretary was unique. (Why 14? “Because, now that she’s retiring, RuthAnn’s lists no longer have to have 13 points.”)
Loveless came to her position by way of the Center for Career Services and the advancement office, where she worked for eight years prior to heading up the alumni office. As she has served the university, she has built a family and carved a presence in the broader Hamilton community, holding positions on the Hamilton Central School board and with other local organizations.
“I’m the luckiest person in the world,” Loveless told her guests. She thanked her family for their support and singled out the Alumni Council, a family-by-extension, for special praise. “Every day, I’ve been able to interact with incredible alumni who are so committed to this special institution that they’ll do anything to see it move forward. What could be better?”