The most popular program run by the NIU Alumni Association is its travel program, which offers a variety of trips across the globe. Because of the popularity of the program, the association increased the number of annual trips from six to eight this year.
“There are so many reasons I book a trip with Northern, including the destination, the cost, the value for price, accommodations, safety and security concerns, companions and, most of all, the way Pat Anderson manages the group and her day-to-day coordination of all the details of our journey,” says Chris Kenar, ’74. “I have met some of the nicest people on these trips, and we have now become old friends and enjoy booking trips together, as well as visiting each other after NIU travel events.”
The best marketing tool for the program has been word of mouth. After hearing about trips, family and friends have signed up through the years, and most of the travelers come back for another trip. During the last seven trips, the association saw 174 unique travelers (those who took at least one trip this year), the majority were alumni and 83 percent were repeat travelers.
The program helps support other alumni programs, such as the Merit Scholarship for continuing students and our student career success initiatives. Last year, the program brought in $133,726 in gifts. A gift of $100 is part of the total trip cost, but many of the travelers make additional donations.
If you haven’t traveled with the NIU Alumni Association yet, consider joining! The trips are fun, educational and turnkey, so let NIU help you go on your next adventure.
For a list of upcoming trips, please visit: myniu.com/travel
NIU Alumni Association Listing of Countries Traveled to
(DOMESTIC IN BOLD)
Alaska
Alberta, Canada
Arizona
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Belize
British Columbia, Canada
Bulgaria
California
Cambodia
China
Colorado
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
Equador
Estonia
Finland
France
Galapagos Islands
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Hawaii
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Liechtenstein
Massachusetts
Monaco
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Northern Ireland
Norway
Nova Scotia, Canada
Ontario Province, Canada
Oregon
Panama
Pennsylvania
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Prince Edward
Island, Canada
Quebec Province, Canada
Romania
Russia
Scotland
Serbia
Sicily
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
Vietnam
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
Wyoming
You must be logged in to post a comment.