Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for ways to be more involved with Muhlenberg? Connect with classmates and students, or join a college advisory board.
Always a Mule
As a 'Berg volunteer, you'll strengthen ties with other alumni and make new friends, connect with and support students, and help secure resources for the college's future.
Ready to get involved? Complete the volunteer interest form, email bergalum@muhlenberg.edu, or call the Office of Alumni Affairs at 1-800-464-2374.
Join an Advisory Board
Foster lifelong engagement and directly impact the success and experience of current students by representing alumni at major college events and giving opportunities. You’ll attend four general board meetings per year, and actively participate in the work of an assigned sub-committee. Applications open late December to early February; interviews are typically held in March. Selected volunteers serve four-year terms beginning July 1 and ending June 30, and may renew for a second four-year term.
See our current Alumni Board members
Alumni Board Member Selection
Alumni Board selection is based on many factors including, but not limited to, the individual's commitment to Muhlenberg and the goals of the Alumni Association, distinguished personal and/or vocational achievement, and financial support to the college. Other desired qualifications include the ability to motivate individual members and committees; a proven leader in other organizations, associations, or clubs; the ability to set and achieve goals and objectives; a team player. Members will be representative of the diversity of the Alumni Association membership.
Eligibility
Muhlenberg graduates, those who have received honorary degrees, or individuals who have matriculated and been officially enrolled at the college for a significant period of time, are eligible for consideration for the Alumni Board. Current faculty and staff, regardless of position or role, are not eligible. Applicants should demonstrate a current or recent history of involvement with the college and should be in a position to continue and expand their engagement.
Member Expectations and Responsibilities
The Muhlenberg College Alumni Board is an advisory board, not a policy-making board. As such, each member is invited and expected to serve the board and Muhlenberg College in the following ways:
1. Work in active, respectful partnership with the executive director of alumni affairs, the Vice President for Advancement, the President and the Board of Trustees to achieve the long-range institutional goals and objectives of Muhlenberg College.
2. Attend four (4) meetings per year of the Alumni Board, typically held on Saturdays, twice in the fall semester and twice in the spring semester of each academic year. Dates for the 2025-26 meetings are: September 13 (virtual), November 8 (in person), January 31 (virtual), and April 11 (in person).
3. Participate actively in the work of at least one Alumni Board standing committee or task force to achieve the annual goals and objectives of the Alumni Board, consistent with the Advancement Office’s strategic plan. This includes committee meetings and communication with that committee throughout the year.
4. Serve as a resource to Muhlenberg College alumni, students, faculty, staff and parents by maintaining awareness and knowledge of important College activities, new projects and innovations, strategic institutional goals and fund development priorities.
5. Uphold the college's initiatives in diversity and inclusion work. As noted in the college's Statement on Diversity, the Muhlenberg community should cultivate a desire and an ability to understand, mutually respect, and meaningfully engage with manifold perspectives and experiences, particularly those of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups.
6. Represent the Muhlenberg Alumni Board and alumni body by participating in a minimum of two events per year (i.e., Red Door Weekend, THAW, Mulementum). Attendance and participation in Red Door Weekend is highly encouraged.
7. Ensure that the Alumni Board reaches the 100% participation level by committing to an annual contribution to the Muhlenberg Fund. In addition, we strive for full board participation on annual giving initiatives of the college including, but not limited to, Mulementum and the Boundless campaign. While there is no proscribed gift amount, we invite Alumni Board members to contribute to the best of their ability with an aspiration of attaining the level of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Society, the first level of leadership giving.
8. Ensure that the Alumni Board reaches the 100% participation level by committing to a one-time gift of $150 to the Alumni Trust Fund, the designated endowment fund through which the Alumni Board can make financial gifts to the college on behalf of the entire alumni body. This gift should be made in the first year of the member's initial term on the Alumni Board.
9. Display professional courtesy and responsiveness regarding communications to committee chairs, the executive committee, staff of the college and the Alumni Board as a whole. This includes, but is not limited to, advance notice if an absence from a meeting will occur, responsiveness on group initiatives, polls, etc.
Questions? Please contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 1-800-464-2374 or email bergalum@muhlenberg.edu.
The purpose of the Muhlenberg College Board of Associates (BOA) is to serve as community ambassadors for Muhlenberg College and to generate support for its strategic initiatives. We accomplish this by engaging business, professional, and civic leadership from the community with the college’s administration, faculty and students; partnering with the college to implement programs that support student development; and fostering a sense of belonging to the greater community.
BOA membership is by invitation only, and composed of recognized business, professional, volunteer and civic leaders in the community. Currently, there are 215 active members.
Executive Committee Members
Heather Adams ’07
Karen Boardman ’81
Sandy Bodnyk ’73
Kevin Conrad ’06
Thomas Dinkelacker ’78
Michael Drabenstott
David Ellowitch ’98
Stephen Link
Tony Muir
Stephen Payne
Megan Pildis
James Powers ’70
Michelle Zenie Rounds ’93
Robert Schmidt ’01
Karen Shoemaker ’83
Matthew Tuerk
Muhlenberg’s Board of Trustees is entrusted with the fiduciary responsibility to maximize the mandated benefits to the student body (current as well as future), faculty, staff, and alumni. Trustees may serve up to four consecutive terms of three years each.
Recent graduates (10 years or fewer) can serve a two-year term on the college's Board of Trustees to hone the skills expected of volunteer leaders: patient analysis, thoughtful reflection, respect for collegiality, ethical decision making, and financial stewardship. Applications open each spring. Fellows serve a two-year term, July 1-June 30.
Connect with other new (graduates of the last decade) Muhlenberg alumni.
Connect With Classmates
Connect alumni with shared interests, like a sports team, club, fraternity, sorority, etc., at events on or off campus, or virtually! Plan event logistics, invite alumni to attend, and serve as the event host. Examples include an alumni athletics game or Red Door Weekend tailgate tent, anniversary reunion, etc. Planning should begin at least four months in advance of event dates.
Build relationships among alumni and with Muhlenberg to ensure that impactful estate gifts are ultimately received by the college. Encourage new members to join the Circle of 1848, attend periodic virtual committee meetings, and provide feedback about the Circle of 1848 stewardship experience.
Want to foster Muhlenberg pride amongst classmates, create a community of alumni dedicated to helping each other and their alma mater, and secure resources for Muhlenberg's future? Serve as a class leader and liaison between the college and your class; communicate regularly with classmates to engage them in opportunities for volunteerism, ambassadorship, philanthropic support, and peer-to-peer fundraising. Focus on major initiatives including Red Door Weekend and reunions, Mulementum, and Mule Madness.
Find your Class Chair
Class of 1950: Theodore E. Haas
Class of 1951: Theodore C. Argeson
Class of 1953: Joseph H. Jorda
Class of 1956: Richard G. Miller, Jr.
Class of 1957: Wolfgang W. Koenig, Jr.
Class of 1958: Dr. Owen D. Faut
Class of 1959: Dr. Lee A. Kreidler
Class of 1960: Edward Davis, Jr.
Class of 1962: Duane G. Sonneborn, Jr.
Class of 1964: Patricia D. Hoffman
Class of 1965: Dr. John Trainer, Jr., Sharon M. Lowe and Barbara Kepler
Class of 1966: Timothy A. Romig
Class of 1967: Dr. Frances S. Hoch
Class of 1968: W. Russell Koerwer and David J.M. Erskine
Class of 1969: Cliff Allen III
Class of 1970: Dr. Glenn S. Kratzer and Diane R. Ladley
Class of 1971: Mary Daye Hohman
Class of 1972: Eric C. Shafer
Class of 1973: Joel M. Greenberg
Class of 1974: Bruce S. Albright and Susan Thomas
Class of 1975: Linda M. Cenci
Class of 1976: Gregory J. Fox, Stephen J. Hart, and Carolyn Ikeda
Class of 1978: Donna B. Tyson, Esq.
Class of 1979: Rudy A. Favocci, Jr., Dawn R. Ellenberger and Mitchell R. Goldblatt
Class of 1980: Timothy A. Birch and Dr. Stuart M. Schnall
Class of 1982: Ellen B. Gesner and Marion E. Glick
Class of 1983: Tammy L. Bormann
Class of 1984: Michelle R. Pressman
Class of 1985: Carolyn Parelli
Class of 1986: Paul M. Hurd, Jr. and Jill A. Muhr
Class of 1987: Eileen Collins Neri
Class of 1988: Joann P. Gaughran
Class of 1989: Jill L. Stetz-Lewis
Class of 1990: Sharon I. Mahn and Ramy B. Sharp
Class of 1991: Susanne H. Thompson and Christopher Parkes
Class of 1992: Dr. Trina A. Poretta
Class of 1993: Jill M. Poretta
Class of 1994: Bret G. Kobler
Class of 1995: April L. Poretta
Class of 1996: Melissa G. Daniels and Mikel D. Daniels
Class of 1997: Sheryl A. Sobiesiak
Class of 1998: Joshua A. Lindland
Class of 2000: Drew J. Bitteman
Class of 2002: Adam Marles
Class of 2003: Laura Maldonado
Class of 2004: Robyn M. Duda
Class of 2005: Chelsea Gomez Starkowski
Class of 2006: Stacy B. Seltzer
Class of 2007: Jason M. Bonder, Courtney Marsallo and Christi (Razzi) Lumiere
Class of 2008: Allie Keller
Class of 2009: Brittany A. Bloss
Class of 2010: Jessica Davis and Jonathan Falk
Class of 2011: Catherine S. Markowitz
Class of 2012: Lisa M. Peterson
Class of 2013: Nina E. Pongratz and Nashalys Salamanca
Class of 2014: Gabrielle Aboodi, Megan E. Rushmore and Michael R. Schramm
Class of 2015: Rebecca Li Grady
Class of 2016: Sarah Goldstein
Class of 2017: Sadie M. Katz and Loren I. Sass
Class of 2018: James Hahn and H. Dempsey Schott
Class of 2019: Noa Boonin, Kaitlynn R. Ely and Evan Plaza
Class of 2020: Mitchell A. Knafo and Mary K. Baumel
Interested in supporting the health, safety, and leadership virtues of Mule Football student-athletes? Recruit former and future football players and families to support the team through an annual giving commitment and engagement during the football season and other events.
Build relationships between alumni and the college and inspire philanthropy to secure resources for Muhlenberg's future as a member of the HMMS Committee. Network to current and potential Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Society members to support major college events and giving opportunities, attend and speak at events, attend quarterly virtual meetings. Volunteers serve three-year terms September 1-June 30.
Build a Muhlenberg alumni community in your area away from campus. Select dates; reserve local venues; plan for speakers, food, and/or other unique elements; invite alumni to attend, serve as an event host. Regional events are typically held in-person at off-campus locations. Planning should begin at least four months in advance of event dates.
Corral your Mule classmates for milestone reunions! Plan class reunion activities, recruit additional volunteers, conduct classmate outreach, inspire philanthropy and attendance at Red Door Weekend. Volunteers come on board between December and March. Service begins in February and culminates in the fall at Red Door Weekend.
Connect alumni related by geography or affinity at one of dozens of events held on a single day -- Muhlenberg's annual Toast Heard Around the World (THAW). Reserve a venue and order food (or alternatively, host a virtual gathering), invite alumni to attend, prepare and deliver a toast honoring Muhlenberg, serve as an event host. Learn more
Connect with Students
This Alumni Week student-alumni networking conference, connects students to alumni who share career insights and advice in a question-and-answer format. Contact the Career Center at careers@muhlenberg.edu.
Students needs opportunities to explore career pathways and network with industry professionals, gaining valuable insight into the world of work. Host a group of students at your workplace, give them a tour, and introduce them to careers in your field. Trips are held in both semesters.
Offer a shadowing experience to help students to explore careers, gain valuable knowledge about potential career paths, and begin to make important connections. Host one or more students at your company or organization, while offering insight into your industry and your professional role. Hosts are recruited July-Sept, with visits taking place during winter break (mid December-mid January).
Extend Muhlenberg’s welcoming spirit by greeting first-year students and families on move-in day (a Thursday in late August), and distributing Muhlenberg scarves to first-year students in conjunction with their traditional candle-lighting ceremony. Opportunities may also be available for volunteers to assist with January transfer programs.
Visit campus, or participate virtually, to share advice and insights with students, on various career development and readiness topics. Panels may be themed to a particular field or focus.
Start Something New
Affinity Groups
Help to organize programming and events based on shared Muhlenberg experiences, anywhere in the world. Email Jasmine Witkowski to get started.