Section: Alumni

The Vermont Tech Alumni Association (VTCAA) is currently under an Interim Board of Directors and Executive Committee until the next Homecoming Weekend/Alumni Day (September 23, 2023). At that time, a new Board of Directors will be elected for the following year.

In becoming a VTCAA Board Member, you will have the honor and responsibility to work with fellow alumni and Vermont State University in providing resources, social gatherings, bridge communication to alumni, and help award scholarships to current students. These positions are important for the University to encourage involvement, and sustain VSA, VATI, and VTC’s legacy and history as we move forward as Vermont State University. More information about VTCAA (including by-laws, active members, and interim executive committee) can be found on the VTCAA webpage.

Within the Board of Directors, an executive committee will be elected to serve in leadership positions within VTCAA which includes a President, Vice-President, Communications Chair, Treasurer, and Executive Director (appointed by the University). More information on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee can be found in the by-laws.

The following survey is to gather the interest of those interested in holding a position on the VTCAA Board of Directors and which Executive Committee position they would be interested in running for. The voting will take place on Homecoming Weekend/Alumni Day, September 23, 2023 (in-person and virtual).

All are welcome to hold positions on the VTCAA Board of Directors and Executive Committee, as most meetings are held virtually to be inclusive to all.

Thank you for your interest!

The purpose of the Vermont Technical College Alumni Association (VTCAA) is to promote the interests of the Vermont School of Agriculture (VSA), Vermont School of Agriculture and Technical Institute (VATI), and Vermont Technical College (VTC) and its alumni, to provide opportunities for social and intellectual interaction for alumni, and support the educational and charitable objectives of Vermont Technical College.

All graduates of the College are automatically part of the VTCAA!

“Welcome to the VTC Alumni Association, where alumni can come together and stay connected well beyond graduation. We come together as a community to help support one another, share resources, and champion the future graduates, that we will welcome! We hope that you will stay connected, update your contact information, share your news, join an event, give back, and we especially hope you become an active alumni association member!” -VTCAA Active Members

Be an Active Member!

To be an active member, please reach out to Kelly Boulan, Development & Alumni Relations Specialist, to get the latest details of VTCAA meeting discussions and the next VTCAA Association or Board meeting date.

The next VTCAA Annual Alumni Association Meeting will be at the 2023 Homecoming Weekend/Alumni Day event at the Randolph Center campus, on September 23rd! (More information to come, and we hope to offer this meeting remotely).

2022 Annual VTCAA Alumni Award Winners:

“I Remember When” Award

This is presented to an alumnus that represents the oldest graduating class to attend Alumni Day/Homecoming Weekend

• Theodore “Ted” Sargeant, VSA AG ’46

“Many Miles” Award

This is presented to an alumnus that represents the farthest distance traveled alumnus to attend Alumni Day/Homecoming Weekend

• Ernest Hayes, VTC AG ’72

“It Was Only Yesterday” Award

This is presented to an alumnus that represents the youngest graduating class to attend Alumni Day/Homecoming Weekend

• Elisha Mattoon, VTC VAST ‘17, MEC ‘18 & REN ‘20

Current Board Members:

Karry Booska
ECM 2003 & BUS 2005

Samantha Daniels
ABT 2018 & AET 2020

Aric Donerkiel (Interim President)
MEC 2019 & ELM 2021

Adam Eccher (Interim Communications Chair)
EMC 2003

Mandi Fournier
MEC 2002 & ELM 2004

Erica Gerstenmaier
BUS 1994

Keith Gingue
ABT 2003 & AET 2009

Daniel Jackman
ABT 1973

Chris Karambelas (Interim Treasurer)
VAST 2001 & CPE 2002

John LaFreniere
EET 1987 & BUS 2008

Joe Lemaire
CPE 2002

Elisha Mattoon
VAST 2017, MEC 2018 & REN 2020

Wesley McEntee (Interim Sub)
MEC 2016 & MAN 2018

Mark Moyer (Interim Vice President)
CET 1996

Colin Parker
BUS 2004 & 2005

Richard Roderick
AG 1973

Melanie Smith
VAST 2001, MEC 2002, & ELM 2004

Denver Wilson
MEC 2002 & ELM 2004

Homecoming Weekend/Alumni Day is a great way to rekindle old relationships, create new ones, and connect with fellow classmates and alumni in-person.

Unfortunately, not everyone can attend this day, and we want to provide alumni the opportunity to be involved and connected on Homecoming/Alumni Day.

If you cannot attend Homecoming/Alumni Day, this “I Wish I Was There” Survey is an opportunity for you to fill out a short form about yourself, contact information, and a message you would like to send to your class. On Homecoming/Alumni Day, September 24, 2022, we will post your survey in the Hartness Library for all to see, giving fellow classmates and alumni the chance to connect with you, even though you are not there!

Please fill out all applicable fields before submitting your response. Please add a photo of yourself at the bottom of the survey! (Adding a picture will help create the connection and put a face to the message you want to send).

Thank you for staying connected and we look forward to sharing your message.

Vermont Tech Athletics Hall of Fame will induct its inaugural class during our 2022 Alumni Homecoming.

To celebrate, a cocktail hour and ceremony is being planned for the inductees, family members, teammates, friends and college administration. We will recognize accomplishments and contributions of athletes, teams, coaches, administrators and contributors whose commitment, sacrifice and dedication to the Vermont Tech athletic program brings pride and distinction to the college and surrounding community. These individuals are role models and define the athletic and academic excellence long held at the College.

The Hall of Fame honors those who have helped to build the athletic program into what it is today while linking generations of our athletes, teams, coaches, administrators and contributors. It’s this support that we celebrate and build upon to strengthen our future athletic programs.

The Athletic Department accepted nominations through August 15 for 2022 recipients; awards will be presented during Alumni Homecoming weekend on September 24. Nominees must have competed or participated in a recognized intercollegiate athletic event and exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and character.

We hope to see you at the event on September 24!

As alumni, there are multiple ways to stay involved with your alma mater!

If you loved your time at Vermont Tech and want to share your experience as a graduate please find more information below of ways to volunteer your time!

Lunch & Learn Lecture

We invite alumni to come back to campus (whether in-person or virtual) and share their experiences as a Vermont Tech graduate to current students.

Present to a classroom of students, in the relevant field of study, your journey as a Vermont Tech graduate and/or promote your company to recruit our students by offering career/job opportunities!

We collaborate with faculty/professors in setting up an appropriate date and time to present to a classroom.

• Please see more information provided in a downloadable PDF: Lunch & Learn Lecture.

If you are interested in learning more and/or setting up a Lunch & Learn Lecture, please email Kelly Boulan at kelly.boulan@vtc.edu.

Alumni Welcome Letter

Welcome new students to Vermont Tech by writing a Welcome Letter! A Welcome Letter is an opportunity for you to share your experiences at Vermont Tech and what you love about the school.

Type a one-page letter welcoming Vermont Tech students and share your insights, advices, and any other appropriate information that you want to share to incoming college students.

If you are interested in writing a Welcome Letter, please contact Kelly Boulan at kelly.boulan@vtc.edu for more information and directions.

Vermont Tech honors and highlights outstanding alumni with the Alumni of the Quarter/Year awards!

Chosen for their commitment to the community and leadership within their personal and professional lives – see why these alumni were selected to win Alumni of the Quarter.

Alumni of the Quarter Recipients:

• March 2022: Barry Bordner
• June 2022: Alan Cox
• September 2022: Robert Ide
• March 2023: Katelyn Hudson

Alumni of the Year Recipients:

2022: Elisha Mattoon

Please fill out the nomination form below to choose the next Alumni of the Quarter. All alumni who are nominated for Alumni of the Quarter are in the running to receive the Alumni of the Year award, usually presented at Vermont Tech’s Homecoming/Alumni Day Weekend and/or in the year-end alumni magazine.

Alumni of the Quarter is to highlight, recognize, and honor a Vermont Tech alumnus/a whose accomplishments and service bring pride to Vermont Tech and the community!

Vermont Tech alumni and friends are invited to nominate, on an individual basis, a graduate of Vermont School of Agriculture, Vermont Agricultural & Technical Institute, or Vermont Technical College. Recipients of the award are individuals who have qualities and attributes that could include:

• Career achievement
• Professional honors/awards
• Community service and/or volunteered time within Vermont Tech
• Leadership within the community and/or professional field

Nominees for all awards must be living alumni and hold a certificate or degree within any of our programs.

The Office of Alumni Relations and Alumni Association strongly encourage nominations that reflect the diversity of our alumni.

Thank you for taking some time to give us feedback!

We would love to know what you think about your E-Newsletters/Magazines and any other feedback you have as an graduate of Vermont Tech.

Please fill out the survey below. Your response will go directly to the Development and Alumni Relations office: (802) 728-1258 | alumni@vtc.edu.

Important Information Regarding the Upcoming VSCS Unification

In July of 2023, three prominent Vermont colleges – Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College – will unify under a common accreditation as Vermont State University.

For more information on the Vermont State Colleges System transformation, please visit transformation.vsc.edu. Learn more about Vermont State University on our microsite.

Unification Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Vermont Tech unifying with other VSCS schools?

To ensure we can provide a high-quality education to students and preserving and expanding access to education statewide, we must make a shift. As Vermont State University, we can strengthen our services and our offerings to better serve the students of Vermont and beyond. This will allow us to continue to focus on our strategic priorities of affordability, accessibility, quality, and relevance by creating a singly accredited entity thus reducing redundancy, increasing efficiency, and making us more fiscally sustainable. The model of higher education is changing, and we need to adapt and modernize in order to build a solid foundation for the future.

What does this mean for Vermont Tech?

Vermont Tech will unify with Northern Vermont University and Castleton University and become part of a larger institution, Vermont State University.

What is the name of the new institution?

The Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees voted on September 29, 2021 to approve Vermont State University as the name for the unified institution. Market research shows that the name Vermont State University will help expand our recruiting into new locations by leveraging the Vermont brand, which holds high value both nationally and internationally.

What institution name should I use on my resume?

Alumni are encouraged to continue using the Vermont Tech name. After July 2023, alumni can use Vermont State University (formerly Vermont Tech), or whatever is most comfortable.

Does Vermont Tech as we know it still exist after a unification?

Vermont Tech remains committed to everything that you have known and loved about the college. We will continue to preserve aspects of our identity and history. Our culture, traditions, and shared experiences will remain, the changes that you will see are to the benefit of our students and largely administrative.

Can I still donate specifically to Vermont Tech?

Yes, please do! You can continue to support Vermont Tech now and beyond by making a restricted gift specifically for our Vermont Tech locations.

How can I best continue to support/help Vermont Tech?

Please continue to share your experiences as former Vermont Tech students and alumni, remain engaged in college activities and news, and philanthropic giving. This is the best way to support Vermont Tech and our students in all of the ways that you are accustomed to.

What does unification mean for alumni?

Vermont State University will present benefits for both current students and our alumni communities as well. Our three institutions are home to a network of thousands of living alumni across the country and around the world. All will be welcome in our new unified university.

Will the unification affect student enrollment?

As you’ve come to expect, we will continue to accurately present Vermont Tech as a first-choice college. We expect to maintain our strong enrollment. Please contact us directly with any concerns or anything you may hear that creates more questions than answers for you.

Will there still be Vermont Tech athletic teams if the schools are one accredited institution?

The VSCS understands the importance of athletics at Vermont Tech and its positive impact on students and enrollment. We anticipate that athletics will remain an important part of our campus community and enrollment strategy.