Dear Alumni, 

From the rumble of moving carts to the bagpipes at Opening Convocation, the rhythm of August at American University is always one of possibility. 

New Eagles and their families arrive on campus ready to make a home-away-from-home. Classes begin, athletic seasons heat up, student org tables dot the Quad. I remember my own time at McDowell Hall, and as a parent of two Eagles now, myself, it feels both thrilling and bittersweet. 

For us alumni, this month also provides many opportunities to connect with our alma mater, fellow alumni, and the new class of students.  

I was delighted to welcome those who joined us for the Summer Brunch at Airlie on August 2. It was the first alumni event held at the stunning Warrenton, Virginia estate, which was gifted to AU by the Airlie Foundation in 2016.  

This upcoming weekend, too, will see our Golden Eagles back on campus as they celebrate 50 years or more since their graduation.  

The festivities begin Friday, August 22 for our Class of 1975 graduates. AU’s newest Golden Eagles are invited to attend Convocation, with special seating as a place of honor at the ceremony. This full-circle tradition is in its third year and already means so much. Last year, we heard of a handful of first-year students who met “adopted” AU grandparents through Convocation and who continue these intergenerational connections. 

The Class of 1975 will also be celebrated at their 50th-anniversary reception at AU House on Friday evening, and all Golden Eagles will gather on Saturday for the annual reunion brunch. Golden Eagles Reunion Weekend epitomizes what we mean when say, “Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle!” 

These alumni engagement efforts hold particular joy for me as president of the AU Alumni Board (AUAB) and I feel privileged to be so involved in their planning and success firsthand. 

To that end, I am excited to announce that applications to join the board for the 2026-2027 term are now live and will be open through Sunday, September 14. The AUAB represents one of the most fulfilling ways to advance the AU alumni network. Board members leverage our collective knowledge and experience to strengthen connections among our nearly 160,000 alumni. My decision to join the board as a member in 2020 opened a new chapter in my relationship to AU, deepening my pride in my alma mater, its educational mission in a changing world, and the alumni ranks to which we all belong.  

More information on the role and responsibilities of an AU Alumni Board member can be found at the AUAB webpage. Questions can also be directed to alumni@american.edu. I strongly hope you consider applying or nominating someone who you believe would make a great candidate! 
 
Best wishes, 
Patty Caballero, SOC/BA ’91, Kogod/MBA ’00