Alumni Association, UT Foundation launch new websites
By Laurie B. Davis
The University of Toledo Alumni Association and UT Foundation are kicking off 2018 with newly redesigned websites that are more closely tied to the University brand.
The new websites aim to improve the user experience through simpler navigation, better-organized information, more photography and videos, and new ways to stay informed and connected to UT. The sites have been built on the same platform as the University’s website, allowing for more sharing of relevant content between sites.
Research to develop the new websites began last summer, when users were surveyed about their expectations and online experiences. A cross-functional team from Marketing and Communications, the UT Foundation, UT Alumni Association, and Information Technology worked together using those responses to revamp both sites.
“The new University of Toledo Foundation website offers our generous donors a better web experience,” said Brenda Lee, president of the UT Foundation. “We wanted to provide a streamlined donation process and easily accessible and well-organized financial information.”
“We also wanted to tell more stories about the donors who support UT through their gifts,” she added. “Now we have a platform to do that.”
The UT Foundation website continues to provide annual reports, financial statements and investment performance reviews.
Dan Saevig, associate vice president for alumni and annual engagement, said the redesigned Alumni Association website speaks to the entire UT alumni community.
“We’ve created a website that encourages our graduates to engage with the University in a variety of ways,” he said. “In addition to providing opportunities to join the association and register for events, we are going to be sharing more stories about our notable alumni. We want to bring that Rocket spirit to life.”
A new “Visit Campus” section on the Alumni Association website highlights what’s new on campus with information on how to rent the William and Carol Koester Alumni Pavilion. Another new section of the site shows alumni how they can support students through their donations to scholarships.
Because the University heard through the survey responses how much alumni love Rocket athletics, information about upcoming games, as well as parking and hotel information, are now on the website.
Art on the Mall and Homecoming, the Alumni Association’s signature annual events, also both have their own pages due to their popularity.
Visit the UT Alumni Association website at toledoalumni.org and the UT Foundation site at utfoundation.org.
