Get Involved

Volunteer: Denisonians Give Back

With more than 40,000 Denison University alumni and family members across the world, every Denisonian has the power to make a real impact with current students and the future of Denison, all through meaningful volunteer service. Denison alumni and family communities are connected through mutual fondness of the college and the meaningful relationships forged on The Hill.

If you want to deepen your connection to Denison, there’s no better way than by sharing your time and talents as a volunteer. There are hundreds of opportunities available — from giving advice to fellow alumni, interviewing prospective students, planning alumni events in your region, or connecting with your fellow Denisonians who share an affinity connection or interest.

Volunteer opportunities can vary in terms of time commitment, or in-person versus remote, so complete the volunteer interest form and we can help you find the perfect volunteer opportunity!

Sign up today!

Host or attend an event, affinity groups, Day of Giving ambassadors, and career advice.

 

Listed below are several additional impactful ways for alumni to get involved. Sign up for these opportunities or to learn more.


Denison EverywhereIt’s one night each year when Denison alumni, family, and friends gather to celebrate our college and one another in cities across the country and around the globe. Alumni, families, and friends in 80+ locations participate annually.

Denison Everywhere volunteers will serve as local experts and hosts for their Denison Everywhere gathering, partnering with the Office of Alumni & Family Engagement to secure a venue, invite local alumni, and host an incredible event.

Volunteer here!

A map with push pins

Around the globe, special events take place that give Denisonians of all ages opportunities to connect with one another beyond the Hill. Alumni work together in small groups within their regions to plan social gatherings, networking events, arts and cultural programs, and more.

Our regional events are open to all Denisonians — alumni and friends, parents of current students and graduates, and current and former faculty and staff members.

Time commitment: Time needed to plan and execute an event. We’ll support you through every step of the process.

Benefits: Enjoy the company of fellow Denisonians, increase your network, and have some fun.

Volunteer here!

Alumni walking down Chapel Walk

Being a member of your Class Reunion Committee is a great way to reconnect with your classmates!

The basic role includes contacting classmates and inviting them to Reunion events, as well as acting as a Denison advocate throughout the year. We also ask all alumni to support Denison with a contribution to the Reunion Class Gift and encourage their classmates to do the same in celebration of their Reunion year.

The primary responsibilities of Reunion volunteers include contacting at least 15 to 20 classmates to ask them to participate in class fundraising efforts and to make plans to attend their Reunion.

In addition, Reunion Volunteers communicate regularly with one another and with Denison’s offices of Alumni & Family Engagement and the Annual Fund.

Time commitment: Participation on your Class Reunion Committee will run from September to June. We hope you will find time to join us at our annual Volunteer Summit in the fall to help plan for Reunion. Class Reunions are celebrated on the weekend following Memorial Day each year.

Benefits: An opportunity to get in touch with old friends — and make some new ones! And you’ll be filled with pride during the Alumni Convocation event in Swasey Chapel, where each class’s participation is highlighted.

Volunteer here!

Three Admission Ambassadors at a college fair

Alumni interested in helping to promote Denison in your communities, please consider volunteering as an Admission Ambassador.

Ambassadors help by wearing their Denison gear and sharing their Denison experience proudly.

Ambassadors can choose their level of participation. You can:

  • Represent Denison at a local college fair.
  • Conduct an interview with a local prospective student.
  • Reach out to admitted students and their families in April to congratulate them and answer questions about the university.

Time commitment: As desired — as little as a few minutes to make a phone call or as much as an evening to work at a local college fair.

Benefits: You’ll enjoy knowing you helped grow the Denison family!

Volunteer here!

The Affinity and Identity Group program offers alumni of shared interests and common bonds opportunities to connect on meaningful levels beyond the traditional Class Reunions or regional events. These groups actively support the college through student recruitment, career mentoring, fundraising, community service, social activities, and more. Should you be interested in forming a new Affinity and Identity Group, team members from the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement will be happy to partner with you through that process.

Time commitment: As desired —You can help with fundraising, communications, or anything in between.

Benefits: Stay connected with fellow Denisonians through shared interests and experiences.

Volunteer here!

Day of Giving AmbassadorsLove Denison? Help spread the word about Day of Giving throughout your network and community to support the school, students, faculty, and beyond. Day of Giving ambassadors can serve from anywhere in the world in many ways, including:

  • Sharing content and information on social media about Day of Giving
  • Emailing your fellow alumni and colleagues to give and help spread the word
  • Donating on Day of Giving. Any amount matters!
  • Sharing your story about why you give to Denison.

All ambassadors will receive a toolkit with all the content needed — just use your network, and you are set!

Time commitment: As much as you desire — any action helps, from posting on social media to calling or emailing your friends to remember to give on Day of Giving.

Benefits: Playing a direct role in supporting students, faculty, and the future of Denison; all ambassadors will receive a special thank you for their role in making this day a success

Volunteer here!

The door to the Knowlton Center

Alumni and family members are an essential part of the Denison network and can make a real difference in a Denison student’s life. If you are interested in helping Denison students as they explore career opportunities, here are some ways to get involved. Learn more about the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration.

  • Be a Knowlton Connect Contributor — Volunteers can help the Knowlton Center broaden its reach of influence to students by contributing valuable content and resources via the Knowlton Connect platform. The Guest Contributor Portal on Knowlton Connect allows alumni, parents, and friends of Denison to post announcements, events, resources, jobs, internships, and blog posts. This integrates the voice of alumni  directly into the Knowlton Center’s content. Alumni are welcome to share stories about your own career journey, industry advice, resources, and general career guidance.
  • Offer a Job Shadow Experience — Alumni and parents willing to spend a day or half day with students to help them test career interests are encouraged to offer a job shadow opportunity.
  • Offer an internship or a full-time position — Interested in providing an internship for a student or posting a full-time position for students or recent graduates? Email Ryan Brechbill, Director of Alumni & Employer Relations at brechbillr@denison.edu.
  • Join Denison LinkedIn — the official group of Denison University. Open to all students, current or former parents, alumni, faculty and staff of Denison University for career networking, job research and social networking. Current or prior affiliation with Denison University is required and will be verified.

Time commitment: As desired.

Benefits: You’ll help a student build a strong career network!

Volunteer here!

Alumni Council in a meeting room

Alumni Council is an advisory body representing the Society of the Alumni. Members are either elected or appointed by their respective constituent organizations.

The Council meets on campus each October and April in conjunction with the meetings of Denison’s Board of Trustees.

If you are interested in learning more about Alumni Council, email us at alumni@denison.edu. You can see the current members of Alumni Council here.

Time Commitment: Two on-campus meetings per year. Some additional committee work outside of meeting times.

Benefits: Represent the alumni body and share your feedback with Denison staff. Get to know Denison administrators and what life is like on campus today.

Volunteer here!

Close-up of a cell phone at night

Here are even more ideas for how you can make a stay connected to Denison.

From volunteering your time to raising the college’s visibility, everything you do can make a positive difference for Denison.

  • Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
  • Use #OnTheHill or #DenisonU when posting about Denison on your own social media.
  • Keep track of your classmates through your class page on Facebook.
  • Download the official Denison App to follow all the latest news from the Hill.
  • Contribute stories or updates that could appear in the Denison Magazine or in the alumni newsletter.


A full moon rising over Swasey Chapel