Barely one week into his new job as Tufts' interim director of alumni relations, Timothy Brooks was officially named the permanent director this past Wednesday. With more than 15 years experience in alumni relations, Brooks will succeed Ron Brinn, who is leaving Tufts in December after 16 years of service.
"I am very excited about taking on this responsibility and working with a very distinguished team of professionals at Tufts," Brooks was quoted as saying in a recent press release. "I also congratulate Ron Brinn and his staff for the many years of dedicated service they've provided to Tufts and its many constituents." Brooks will be working closely with Brinn for the next few months, as the departing director finishes out his term. Brooks added that his working with Brinn would ensure a smoother transition while the new director slowly adjusts and prepares to take over completely.
At Tufts, Brooks' mission will be to keep alumni connected to their alma mater. Contrary to jokes claiming that alumni are valued according to the size of their pocketbooks, Brooks says he hopes to "give something back to alumni, be it services or benefits of some kind."
Brooks said that he has been learning about the positive connection the University has with its students and alumni, and he hopes to create programs for alumni that reflect that relationship. Brooks said he already feels that Tufts is an especially "warm and friendly place," as evinced by the nearly 60 congratulatory e-mails Brooks said he received from Tufts affiliates upon beginning his new position. He added that this friendly reception "indicates what culture seems to prevail here," also saying that he is "eager for the challenge of reconnecting with many alumni."
Brooks comes to the Hill from Fordham University in New York, where for the past five years he has worked to revitalize and expand Fordham's volunteer network, travel program and other revenue generating venues. Among his other accomplishments was the overseeing of web site development and communication with the school's 100,000 constituents.
Prior to assuming his post at Fordham, Brooks served on the Alumni Association at Ohio State University, where he earlier received his baccalaureate and masters degrees in 1979 and 1983 respectively. During his career at Ohio State, Brooks rose from an assistant field director to vice president of field operations, in which capacity he oversaw 180 alumni clubs worldwide.
Other career highlights include serving as a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar to promote international peace in Cape Town, South Africa. Brooks has also held leadership positions in the Upper Arlington Rotary Club, one of the largest service organizations in Central Ohio.
