President of the Year Award

President of the Year Award

Claire Fouquet, MSc'92

The Southern California branch of the Alumni Association has over 700 members scattered along 500 miles of Pacific coastline, so Claire Fouquet has had her job cut out for her. "We've tried to take that into consideration by organizing functions for geographically distinct locations." Claire took over the presidency two years ago, having been involved in the branch since 1995. She has enthusiastically built up the branch's appeal for new graduates, while at the same time offering a variety of events to cater to a diverse range of experience and interest. She started the young alumni division, created an alumni website, and has brought the branch forward in many ways. The events she has organized are very popular and well attended.

"Our most successful events have been the new Getty Museum tour and the Magic Castle brunch, and we've been very fortunate to have alumni hosting functions in their homes or aboard their yachts, even presenting a movie they produced." Bringing the branch into the era of technology with the website and e-mail communication has given the branch a good boost, too, says Claire. Unfortunately for Southern California, she has had to resign because of a move to the state of Maine, but no doubt she'll soon be making waves for McGill on the east coast.