Autumn in New York

It's near the end of August 2012, and this little transitional phase between summer and fall is probably one of my favorite times of year. It's still hot, and we can still squeeze in a few more beach days. It's still "quiet," at least in my neighborhood, where the kids aren't back in school yet, so mornings are sleepy and nights are filled with that chirpy buzz of locusts, grasshoppers and crickets. The Vegas market is (just) finished, the fashion week invitations are coming in...and the FIT campus is about to spring back to life for the semester. I'm excited by the possibilities that a new school year represents. Doesn't this time of year make you wish you could be throwing some books into a backpack...or maybe that's an iPad these days...and heading off to class? Well, that may actually be in the cards for some of us, but for the rest of us, let's look at this time of year as an opportunity to kick the sand out of our shoes, wake up a little earlier and to do something to make the next few months better. Read that self-help or business book everybody's been talking about. Go for a quick morning walk or jog now that it's a little cooler. And perhaps most importantly, reconnect with friends...and you can do that right here! At our new website, fitalumniassociation.org.
I'm looking forward to meeting all you there, and in the meantime, Happy Labor Day! Enjoy the weekend.

From my keyboard

Dear alumni and friends,
I began my first “semester” as president of the Alumni Association of the Fashion Institute of Technology this year, a proud graduate of the class of 1988. I'm even prouder to represent the talented and diverse group of individuals who make up the constituency of our association.
Since its incorporation in 1953, the association has evolved into a million-dollar supporter of FIT; through scholarships, building funds and direct contributions to the Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries (the school’s advisory and fundraising body). Funds have been raised through our annual Star Salute gala dinner, auctions, membership renewals and donations…in short; we couldn’t have done any of it without the support of FIT graduates and the industries we lead.
I'm looking forward to encouraging the organization’s growth. We have an energized group of volunteers working on our Board of Directors, including Carrie Bloom Beylus, Vice President (class of 1987); Carol D’Arconti, Executive Vice President ('62); Gloria Maccaroni, Treasurer ('75); and Ilene Glantz, Secretary ('79). Vicki Guranowski Har-Even, our Executive Director, shepherds us and handles the day to day coordination of all our activities.
I look forward to hearing from FITAA members, FIT graduates, students and supporters; and hope that we can interest in you in volunteering your time or contributing to our fund-raising efforts. Check this blog regularly for further news regarding FITAA activities, as well as for the announcement of our upcoming Web site. You can reply or comment to this blog by clicking on the "Blog This" link at the top of the page.
Fashionably yours,
John Jones
President, Alumni Association of FIT
Fashion Director, MR Magazine

Welcome!

Welcome to the blog for the Alumni Association of FIT! Give us a few days to get this up and running properly, but we look forward to telling you about the activities OF the Association, and to hearing your feedback.