Sallie Hutton, a 1992 Elon University graduate, has been named director of alumni relations. She will serve as the primary liaison between the university and its approximately 22,000 alumni around the world. She succeeds Cindy Wall Sarwi ’87, who resigned after serving in the role since 2003.
Hutton is responsible for creating and managing a comprehensive array of communications, programming and volunteer opportunities with particular emphasis on engaging alumni in the life and advancement of the university. She will further develop Elon’s national alumni chapter program, create a young alumni program, and identify and cultivate alumni leadership through the National Alumni Executive Board.
“Sallie’s background and enthusiasm for working with members of Elon’s alumni community will be tremendous assets in her new position,” said Nan Perkins, vice president for institutional advancement. “Increasing the engagement of alumni in the life of the university is an institutional priority, and Sallie is well qualified to lead this ambitious effort.”
Since June 2005, Hutton has served as director of parent programs at Elon. She had primary fundraising duties with the Elon Parents Fund and also served as staff liaison to the Parents Council, Elon’s largest volunteer advisory board. She worked with parent volunteers to plan events such as summer welcome hospitalities for new students and collaborated with the office of student life to plan Family Weekend.
Previously, Hutton served as coordinator of alumni reunions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2000 to 2004, coordinating logistical details, implementing new programs and training volunteers for alumni events. She also worked as program coordinator at the UNC Institute of Government from 1994 to 1999.
Hutton earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Elon and was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.