It’s no stretch to say that the past two and a half years have brought significant change.
As we enter the second half of 2022 and return to some semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy, an evolving path forward is coming into focus. And while the Caltech Alumni Association (CAA) continues to honor past traditions, we also look to better serve our ever-changing alumni community by providing the tools needed to navigate this brave new world.
Toeing that line presents a unique set of challenges both for us individually and for CAA as an organization. As Caltech alumni, we are all innovators at heart. But change does not always come naturally.
Fortunately, Techers share a background and trailblazing spirit that have prepared us to meet these moments. Our collective alma mater has helped instruct 17 Nobel Laureates, and countless others who have helped change and influence the world in their own way, including the three recent recipients of Caltech’s 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award: Sudhir Kumar Jain, PhD (MS ’80, PhD ’83), Bette Korber, PhD (PhD ’88), and Kam-Yin Lau, PhD (BS ’78, MS ’78, PhD ’81).
Our 25,132 members also differ in important and appreciable ways. These diverse voices — and the unique experiences and backgrounds that helped shape them — are essential threads of the fabric that weave together Caltech and CAA.
In addition to supporting Caltech’s academic excellence, CAA serves as a partner and ally to its alumni in their post-graduate lives and professional development. As we continue to welcome new perspectives, including 560 new graduates from the class of 2022, alumni input has revealed a new set of approaches and needs. Recent surveys show a flourishing, diverse and international audience, with more alumni than ever pursuing career paths in business and industry.
In turn, CAA has expanded and improved its services and programming. As digital engagement has increased over the past year, exemplified by a 75% increase in virtual seminar attendance, CAA has improved Seminar Days’ remote interface, launched the E-Techer newsletter, hosted a Caltech Black Alumni Council virtual Town Hall covering campus and community topics, and updated its Alumni Portal to help members continue to grow and stay in touch, regardless of location.
In 2022, CAA also brought back the Alumni Reunion Celebration, its first in-person, large-scale gathering since 2019, relaunched Techer Alumni Tours designed to inspire participants through group travel opportunities, produced a series of Senior Celebrations for new graduates, and hosted local events in major cities, including Chicago and Seattle, to help existing alumni and new graduates come together and build networks locally. Notably, CAA convened the inaugural Caltech Black Alumni Council this past year to better address the goals and needs of black communities at Caltech, CAA, and beyond.
As CAA moves into the future, our programs and approaches will continue to evolve both digitally and in person alongside our members. Together, we are a powerful and committed community with much to offer each other and this world.
As I sign off on my final letter as Chair of the Board, I’d like to thank you all for your support and trust for the past two years. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve.
I look forward to carving out a new role and helping CAA evolve and engage with Caltech’s alumni community as we continue to deliver on our Mission Statement: ensuring the success and well-being of every member of the CAA community and advancing humanity in the communities in which we live, work and play.
Satoshi Ohtake, PhD (BS ’00)
Board Chair, Caltech Alumni Association
