Aunt Sarah / Uncle Wilson Program

At Wilson College, alumni have the unique opportunity to adopt a new relative by participating in the Aunt/Uncle Program, named in honor of our namesake Sarah Wilson.  Alums volunteer as “Aunts or Uncles” and students sign up to be “nieces or nephews”.  An Aunt/Uncle will be in contact with their niece/nephew through a letter/email or an occasional package to brighten a student’s day and to provide encouragement. The program builds bonds between former and current students. Some of the pairings last a semester, some through commencement and others, a lifetime. 

For decades students have enjoyed developing a relationship with their paired alum; hearing and sharing Wilson stories/traditions, as well as, career and other personal life adventures. For alums, it is an opportunity to remain connected to campus life and give back in a personal way. This connection is perfect for those alums local, regional or a far distance.

Traditionally, “Aunt Sarah” was a secret connection with hints and clues to discover identities. However, over the years with new technology, many decide to email, text, Facetime, Skype or even meet face to face for ongoing interaction.  A secret connection is still possible with letters or packages going back and forth utilizing staff in the Alumni House. For many, the real tradition is that someone provided this connection to you as a student and now, as an alum, you keep the program alive. We have added “Uncle Wilson” to be inclusive of our Wilson Community.

Thank you all for your participation.

Ideas that do not cost a lot of $$:

• postcard or letter once a month - send riddles or jokes, share stories, encourage and wish them well 
• send activity - Sudoku, puzzle or coloring book, pens or pencils in fun colors, silly putty 
• choose some novelty or festive socks 
• items such as candy, lip balm, magnets, key chains, laptop/water bottle stickers, coffee or hot choc packets 
• small amount gift card to a national chain 
• place a $5 in a card with a note

Warmly,
Alumni Relations Office
Alumni Volunteer Coordinators:  Cynthia Fink Barber ’73 & Kelly Shank ’22

Be an Aunt Sarah or Uncle Wilson!

If you would like to be an AUNT/UNCLE — sign up here. Be sure to include your home address if you want to hear from your pairing directly. New applications from students are pouring in. Spread the word!

If you prefer to print and mail click here.

Did you know....
We keep a small "stash" of small gifts or gift cards which allows us to be responsive if we learn of a student who is having a rough time or even deserves a congrats of some kind. Faculty or staff give us a heads up on occasion and with your help, we fill a need. If being paired is too much a commitment or you would like to just do something extra we accept goodies on behalf of our private stash ... we sign from Aunt Sarah or Uncle Wilson. 

Click this link, Aunt Sarah / Uncle Wilson Guidelines, based on the questions from past years.

If you are a returning AUNT or UNCLE and have not yet indicated if you are remaining in the program and which student(s) you are keeping, please email Andrea McCauley, Director of Alumni Relations at ARoffice@wilson.edu If you prefer not to continue at this time, that is important for us to know as well.

Interested in giving a Wilson Bookstore gift certificate?
Go to http://bookstore.wilson.edu/; gift certificates can be found in the products section under miscellaneous. If you would like the gift certificate given to a current student and put in their mailbox on campus, please mark "in store pick-up" and indicate the student's name in the special instructions section.