Bash in NYC draws number of young alumni

April 15, 2008--Nearly 500 young alumni turned out to show their Jumbo spirit at a New York event that promises to keep on growing.

The reception, hosted by the Young Friends of Tufts Advancement (YFTA), a volunteer group of young Tufts alumni, took place on March 26 at the Public House at East 41st St. in New York. Packing the trendy new hot spot were hundreds of young Tufts alumni -- a record turnout that exceeded the inaugural event last year. Alumni from Classes of 2001-2007 were invited.

The YFTA event is proving that it’s engaging recent Tufts graduates socially as well as philanthropically, said Max Bernstein, A03, a volunteer.

"I am very proud to see an increasing number of young New York area alumni make their annual gift each year," said Bernstein.

Door prizes were once again awarded, including tickets to a Yankees/Sox game, a spa gift package, Public House Gift Certificate, and lots of Tufts gear.

The event aims to reconnect young graduates and demonstrate that young alumni are key players in Beyond Boundaries: The Campaign for Tufts. Designed to raise awareness and excitement about Tufts and philanthropy for the university, the young alumni "booster club" has focused on peer-to-peer outreach before and after the event.

At the time of the reception, more than 200 alumni had signed up for the club and young alumni from the New York area had already given more than $25,000 to Tufts this year alone.

"The YFTA continues to grow every year thanks in large part to support by the university and concerted efforts from our committee members,” said Jerome Shapiro, A03, another volunteer, “We are very excited about the future prospects for the group."

YFTA hopes to continue to inspire recent graduates with its annual event in New York and expand to other cities to come together in show of support for Tufts. The Young Friends of Tufts Advancement includes:

Sam Baris, A07
Max Bernstein, A03
Michael Cherney, A05
Pauline Eveillard, A05
Grace Gan, A04
Doug Gould, A03
Alissa Jacob, A07
Catherine Jean Lee, A04
Justine Pokoik, A04
Jerome Shapiro, A03
Maureen Wiley, A05

For more information, contact Max Bernstein, A03, at mberns81@gmail.com.