New Alumni Association president looks to give back to McMaster

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/billmclean.jpg” caption=”Incoming McMaster Alumni Association president Bill McLean’s thoughtful, intelligent leadership style, as well as his passion for all things McMaster, will serve him well over the course of the next year, says Karen McQuigge, director of alumni advancement. File photo.”]Bill McLean's relationship with McMaster has only gotten stronger since his 1990
graduation with a degree in commerce.

Early in his post-university life he attended class reunions, took advantage of Career
Services' many offerings and kept in touch with classmates. As the years went on,
however, he realized that being a McMaster alumnus was about more than just what the
institution could do for him.

“It's not just about you – it's also about giving back to the University and the students
who are just starting to study there,” he said.

It was with this in mind that, two years ago, he decided to get involved with the
McMaster Alumni Association (MAA). First serving as second and then first vice-
president, McLean was recently elected the association's president.

“I've always been connected to the University, but the meaning of that connection has
deepened over the years,” he said. “This position is a natural fit for me.”

McLean, a business entrepreneur, says his role with the MAA is to reflect
the University's history and heritage while also understanding that the 21st century has
brought about significant changes to McMaster's alumni community.

“Among other things, recent alumni are communicating very differently,” he said. “What
they want out of their experience is going to be different than what those who
graduated years ago want, and we recognize that. One of my goals is to evaluate the
effectiveness of what we're doing and understand if there are better ways to do it.”

Karen McQuigge, the University's director of alumni advancement, says that McLean has
all the attributes necessary to be an effective association president.

“His passion for everything McMaster is apparent as soon as you meet him,” she said.
“His background in business as well as his thoughtful, intelligent leadership style will
serve him well over the course of the next year. We've very excited to be working with
Bill and can't wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

For more information, as well as the names of all members of the MAA's Board of
Directors, click
here.