Every generation of Bonnies understands something essential about this place: St. Bonaventure’s greatest strength has always been its people. We see it in the way our students support one another, in the dedication of our faculty and staff and, perhaps most visibly, in the extraordinary loyalty and generosity of our alumni family.
That spirit animates our new strategic plan, “Rooted in Mission, Focused on the Future,” developed by the contributions of more than a hundred people across campus and approved by our Board of Trustees in September.
Built around four pillars — Community, Institutional Strength, Innovation and Purpose — the plan provides us with a clear path to 2030. At its heart is a reaffirmation of who we are: a Catholic-Franciscan university committed to academic excellence, ethical leadership and transforming the lives of our students through relationships that matter.
What does that mean? Through the plan’s pillar focusing on Community, St. Bonaventure is elevating student success through stronger networks of belonging and support. Among the strategies outlined is a renewed emphasis on mentoring — not simply as a career tool, but as a defining expression of what it means to be part of the Bonaventure community helping to launch students into a successful life ahead.
Our alumni have told us that they want to give back in ways that go well beyond philanthropy. They want to share the wisdom that shaped their own journeys. They want to help our students gain confidence, build professional savvy and navigate a world that is changing faster than ever. We are listening, and we are responding with intention.
Across campus, we are already witnessing the impact of this renewed focus. In this issue, you’ll read about the Swim & Dive Mentorship Program — a partnership between our Career and Professional Readiness Center and our coaching staff — that pairs current SBU swimmers and divers with SBU swimming and diving alumni who understand both the demands of their sport and the ambitions they carry into life after Bona’s. What began as a simple idea has grown into a model of personal and professional guidance, rooted in the best of who we are.
You will also see how the School of Business has taken this mentoring ethos to remarkable heights through LaunchSBU. Born out of conversations during the pandemic and fueled by alumni like Joe and Matt Davis, LaunchSBU is connecting students to hundreds of Bonnies around the country — building networks, sharpening skills and opening doors. It is a powerful reminder that while technology can bridge distances, human generosity profoundly changes lives.
These examples represent exactly what our strategic plan calls us to do: create a culture in which every student is known, supported and empowered through meaningful relationships with those who have walked this path before them. Mentoring is not an add-on at St. Bonaventure. It is an extension of our Franciscan belief in the dignity and potential of every person and a testament to our alumni wanting to remain a part of the St. Bonaventure family long after graduation.
As we bring the plan to life, we will broaden these efforts across schools, majors and affinity groups. We envision a mentoring ecosystem where every student — regardless of background, identity or career goal — has access to the expertise and encouragement of our alumni. And we envision opportunities to meet alumni where they are: a Zoom conversation after work, a résumé review during a lunch break, a phone call before an interview or a visit with a student when their travels bring them back to campus.
Our future depends on strengthening the bonds that have sustained us for 168 years. When alumni and students connect, our mission comes alive in its most authentic form. Prospective students will know that when you become a Bonnie, you immediately become supported by a passionate group of St. Bonaventure alumni who want to help you grow in every way possible.
To all our alumni who give so generously of your time, your treasure, your talent and your hearts — thank you. You model the very best of what it means to be a Bonnie. With your help, our students will fully grasp that they are part of a community that believes deeply in their promise.
Dr. Jeff Gingerich
University President
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