Alumni Affinity and Identity Groups

A student for four years, a Denisonian forever

For almost 200 years, Denison alums have found a variety of ways to connect with each other and the college through alumni affinity groups. They’ve discovered meaningful ways to stay connected based on shared interests.

Engaged alums contribute to the enduring Denison experience in vital ways — promoting lifelong friendships, fostering a continued sense of belonging, sharing their expertise, paying it forward, and building networks that open doors across the globe. Staying involved through an affinity network is one simple way to strengthen your ties to Denison, to the clubs or organizations in which you were involved, and to alums who share your interests, profession, or aspects of your identity.



Frequently asked questions


An affinity group is a community of alums that, while students at Denison, formed part of a group or organization based on shared interests or activities. This includes but is not limited to athletic teams, student organizations, clubs, activities, identity groups, majors/departments, residential halls, and faith- and ethnicity-based groups.

These networks continue to stay connected through in-person or virtual reunions, milestone celebrations, newsletters, and programming with current students within their affinities. Led by alumni volunteers through a partnership with the Alumni & Family Engagement Office, affinity networks provide a meaningful way to strengthen ties and stay connected with the Denison network.

Alums connected to affinity groups enjoy strengthened connections with classmates and bonding over shared interests, through social and educational activities. Many groups establish relationships with students over their shared interests, which only strengthens the student experience.

From Kappa Kappa Gamma to Big Red Soccer, Ladies Night Out to The Hilltoppers, Big Red Basketball to Homestead, and WDUB to the Ice Hockey Club, alums from your student groups are coming back for reunions to celebrate milestones and to connect with current student members. Is your affinity network getting back together? Check out our list of upcoming events or submit your inquiry via our affinity / identity group interest form

Several Denison affinity groups have an established volunteer and events structure. Don’t see your affinity network listed among existing groups? Wondering how you can host an event or program for fellow Denisonians with shared interests? Fill out the affinity / identity interest form and a member from the Alumni and Family Engagement Office will be in touch!

If you’re looking to build connections based on where you live or your chosen career, check out our regional network and professional network pages!

A wealth of information about how affinity groups work is available in the Affinity & Identity Group Handbook. Read through it or contact Ed Lenane, director of alumni engagement programming, with your questions.



Current alumni affinity and identity groups at Denison


Group Contact

Black Alumni Association

Deidra Reese ’88

Burpees Seedy Alumni

Elliott Mitchell ’84

Denison Singers Alumni

Rick Kauffman ’86

Denison Hilltoppers Alumni

Jake Mihalov ’10

Ice Hockey Club Alumni

Bill Eaton ’84
Marshall Durston ’81

Pride (LGBTQ+) Alumni

Jeremy Torres ’18

Sigma Chi Alumni

Sandy Thomson ’59

Varsity D Association

Dana Grandmaison-Gilligan ’02


HAVE QUESTIONS?

Ed Lenane

Director of Alumni Engagement Programming

lenanee@denison.edu

740-587-6739