American University alumni leaders gathered Thursday evening at the Mary Graydon Student Center for the 2026 Alumni Board Dinner and Ceremony, an annual moment to reflect on the past year, recognize exceptional service, and welcome new members who will help guide the AU Alumni Association forward. 

The January 29 event with AU’s 16th president, Jonathan R. Alger, brought together AU’s most committed and engaged alumni volunteers from the AU Alumni Board (AUAB) and AU's shared communities and interest groups. 

The evening began with a welcome from AUAB President Patty Caballero, SOC/BA ’91, Kogod/MBA ’00, who underscored the board's longstanding commitment to fostering connection, advocacy, and engagement across AU’s global alumni community. 

“AU alumni leaders have an increasingly vital role to play in building relationships, representing the institution, and advancing the ever-critical mission of AU in our current world,” Caballero shared in her remarks. 

Matthew K. Eynon, vice president of University Advancement, pointed to the importance of alumni volunteerism.

“As we all know firsthand, the work of the AU Alumni Board and our supporting volunteer groups has a unique and important power,” Eynon said. “You are living testaments to what it means to be an engaged graduate of American University.”  

Eynon also announced the launch of the new Show Up For AU initiative, an innovative way for alumni to represent the university they call home. He shared various strategies in which alumni can “show up,” suggesting hiring AU graduates, mentoring students, and coming back to Washington, DC, to engage on campus. 

“I specifically want to encourage members of the AU Alumni Board to be leaders in this effort to show up for AU,” he said. 

President Alger emphasized the AUAB's vital role in advancing institutional priorities. He highlighted the University’s 250+ at American  celebration and the development of AU’s new Strategic Plan, Meet Our Moment, noting the instrumental role alumni leaders played in shaping its vision. 

“The Meet Our Moment plan is grounded in a set of promises to each and every student at AU and to the world,” said Alger. “We can’t necessarily control the world around us, but we can develop a proactive response that prepares students for whatever lies ahead.” 

“I want to thank our new Alumni Board members for stepping in to these big shoes. It’s an exciting time to be involved and engaged at American University,” said Alger. 

In closing remarks, Caballero reinforced the importance of alumni advocacy and engagement in the months ahead. She encouraged new board members and volunteers to play visible leadership roles during AU Giving Day from February 25-26. 

New AU Alumni Board members were formally recognized for the expertise and perspective they will bring. Also recognized for their dedication and impact were the following outgoing members:

• Chad Appel, SPA/BA ’03 
• Alycia Bennett Bell, CAS/BA ’14 
• Pamela Higgins Harris, CAS/BA ’72, MEd ’73, SOE/EdD ’25
• Meghann McLouth, Kogod/BSBA ’00
• Cheryl Parker, SOC-CAS/BA ’05 
• Darlene Slaughter, Kogod/MSHR ’93 
• LaTanya Sothern, SOC/BA ’92, Immediate Past President
• Kelly Wilson, III, Kogod/BSBA ’84