Deepening the Alumni Experience:
Q&A with Martha & Ben
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Earlier this year, Martha Eisenberg ’85, P’22, ’24 and Ben Behrend ’12 became co-presidents of Friends Select’s Alumni Association.
They recently spoke with Select News about this new role and their ongoing efforts to engage alumni.
What motivated the revitalization of the Friends Select Alumni Association?
Ben: It’s in the Quaker ethos of Friends Select that all alumni are part of its Alumni Association. Our former alumni group, the National Alumni Board, followed a selection process to build its leadership. My goal is to foster direct engagement between alumni and the school through events and reconnecting classmates, both with one another and with current and former faculty.
Martha: The sense of wanting to give back intensifies once alumni reconnect with Friends Select. This core sentiment prompted Ben and me, with a smaller group of alumni, to inquire about ways the greater alumni community could make a larger impact and support the school’s ongoing growth. Alumni possess a rich history and memories of their time at Friends Select, and we wanted to explore how alumni could contribute their experiences in meaningful ways.
Are there initiatives you’re looking forward to introducing?
Ben: We want to supercharge the class ambassador program by involving multiple representatives from each class to leverage their social networks to keep classmates informed about what’s going on at Friends Select and encourage their peers to come back to campus or attend school events. This is one of our primary strategies for fostering alumni engagement.
Martha: We’re collaborating closely with head of school Michael Gary and the development office to ensure our Alumni Association remains vibrant and supportive. Our goal is to facilitate connections among alumni who are no longer at Friends Select, helping them stay in touch and reengage with the community. We’re exploring various ideas, such as establishing a comprehensive database or resource hub. This platform would allow graduates to offer expertise and support to others who have moved on from Friends Select and are navigating their careers or pursuing specific interests. Our aim is to ensure these initiatives are implemented effectively to provide valuable resources for all alumni.
What are some ways FSS alumni can become involved and give back to the school?
Ben: I hope we can lean into our alumni base as a pool of valuable resources, whether for panel discussions or as a directory of experts that can be shared. For example, if an alum is a software engineer, we could invite them to speak to a computer science class, even via Zoom. Establishing these seamless avenues for alumni involvement is crucial.
A first step is for alumni to join the FSS Alumni Network on LinkedIn.
Martha: We’ve heard from alumni that they want to find ways to give back to the school via their time or expertise. We are hopeful we can engage heads of the lower, middle, and upper schools about ways to engage alumni in supporting classrooms. This could involve providing resources, bringing in field experts, reading to lower school students, or sharing stories about what Friends Select was like in the past.
How does the Alumni Association emphasize the importance of alumni giving, and what impact do you see it having on the Friends Select community?
Ben: I think it’s essential for us to be upfront about how philanthropy continues the mission of Friends Select—an investment of both your time and treasure in Friends Select pays significant dividends. For example, philanthropic commitments play a key role in ensuring Friends Select’s continued existence for another 300 years. Making philanthropy an integral part of the Alumni Association’s ethos is something about which Martha and I are passionate.
Martha: I think it’s important to educate our younger class years about the joy and responsibility of being an alum of FSS. Giving back even a modest amount is significant. Staying connected and contributing financially are ways to acknowledge and support the school’s impact on our lives.
What would you say to FSS alumni who are considering getting involved about what to do next?
Ben: First off, if you haven’t been to Friends Select in a while, come back so that you can see how the school has maintained so much of what you love about it. Second, don’t be a stranger to your fellow classmates from your year, especially when your reunion is approaching. And, attend some of the marquee events that we have throughout the year, whether it be the Thanksgiving Classic, Alumni Weekend, or the Spring Fair.
Martha: Come back soon and come back often, because I think you’ll be surprised at how meaningful it feels to return to school. You are always welcome, and I challenge anyone to walk back into Friends Select without feeling a deep sense of connection. And absolutely try to get together with your class and fellow alumni as often as you can, even in informal or virtual settings. There’s a unique spirit in those who graduated from Friends Select that we might not fully realize until we’re together.
For more information about the Alumni Association, visit friendsselect.org/alumni or contact contact Christine Jefferson, chief development officer, at chrisj@friends-select.org or 215-561-5900 x3141.
