OCCC welcomes the Future Alumni Network club after many months of planning, said club sponsor Randy Cassimus.

“It is a concept which has stirred the passions of both the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the executive leadership at the college.

“All are very supportive and interested in its success,” he said.

President Anna Morgan said this is a brand new club that she hopes to mold into a successful organization with events that will be beneficial to its members.

“I’m looking forward to getting everyone together,” Morgan said.

Cassimus said networking is a vital tool for future success in the workforce.

“I feel like the FAN club will be presenting unique opportunities for its members to build networks and relationships that will be very important to their careers and their success,” he said.

Cassimus said members of the FAN Club will have numerous opportunities to meet successful people from various fields.

“I know for a fact that members will have opportunities to get real face-time with successful community leaders that will not be available to non-members,” he said.

“This club is also helping us build leadership skills.”

Cassimus said he envisions the number of annual scholarships from the OCCC Association of Alumni and Friends increasing as a result of the FAN club forming.

“And I can foresee the beneficiaries being students who have built relationships with those engaged alumni through the Future Alumni Network.”

Many other colleges have similar successful organizations, Cassimus said.

“I have already met with representatives of other schools, and have been able to pick their brains on best practices and what has made a positive impact on their alumni associations and on their students,” he said.

Cassimus said the FAN club will meet at 12:15 p.m. on the following Thursdays during the fall semester: Sept. 26, October 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 14, and Dec.5.

All meetings are in Room 1C3 in the Arts and Humanities Center.

Club members will have other opportunities to network as well he said.

“We will also have opportunities for club members to participate in special alumni events such as the Alumni Hall of Fame banquet in November.”

Cassimus said anyone interested in joining the FAN Club can contact him either via the club email address: fan@occc.edu or by calling 405-682-1611, ext. 7478, or can come to a club meeting and join there.

“I am fortunate to be in a position that allows me to interact so closely with engaged groups of both OCCC alumni and OCCC students.”