Alumni Relations’ Latchem and Cardone retire

Sara Miller
(315) 443-9038

Andrea Latchem, assistant vice president of Syracuse University’s Office of Alumni Relations, and Elaine Cardone, associate director in Alumni Relations, recently announced their respective retirements effective Dec. 31, concluding a combined 48 years of service to the University.

“Andy and Elaine’s combined tenure and commitment have been a great asset to both the University and our alumni,” says Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement Thomas Walsh. “We are grateful for their extensive years of service to SU. I appreciate Andy’s work in numerous areas of Institutional Advancement over her career, and Elaine’s work with our reunion classes was consistently extraordinary.”

Latchem has dedicated more than 23 years of distinguished service to SU and has touched the lives of many, working with alumni and students to establish lifelong relationships with the University.

She joined SU in 1985 as associate director of planned giving, with the initial responsibilities of designing and building the scholarship stewardship program. In 1990, she became director of planned giving and was later appointed senior director and executive director of gift and estate planning, before taking on the role of senior philanthropic advisor for the Office of Development in 2004.

In 2006, Latchem was appointed assistant vice president for alumni relations, responsible for strategic planning and implementation of activities dedicated to the engagement of students and alumni with the University.

“Andy’s three years with the Office of Alumni Relations has been marked by the creation of a closer working relationship between OAR and the Syracuse University Alumni Association (SUAA) Board,” says Wally Bobkiewicz G’89, president of the Syracuse University Alumni Association Inc. “Our joint work plans have moved both organizations forward in new ways and have allowed OAR and SUAA to be seen as a catalyst for partnerships throughout the campus community in better connecting with students and our alumni worldwide.”

From 2003-08, Latchem also contributed her time and expertise to help the National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG). Her service on the national board of directors and executive committee for NCPG culminated in her year as chair of the board in 2007; she continues to serve in an advisory capacity to NCPG. During that time, Latchem also chaired the Planned Giving and Endowment Task Forces for the United Way of Central New York; she continues to serve on the United Way Board as vice chair of the leadership cabinet.

Cardone has provided more than 25 years of service to the University, spending 24 of those years working in the Office of Alumni Relations. She has been responsible for organizing and overseeing reunions, specifically working very closely with the 50th and the 25th anniversary classes. During the Class of 1953’s 50th reunion, Cardone played a major role in bringing to campus the special “White Bucks and Tales Revisited” revival musical production, which was produced by and starred members of the 50th class. And the following year, she similarly worked with the Class of 1954 in their reunion musical production of “Up in Lights, Again.”

Cardone’s role expanded a few years ago when Homecoming and Reunion were combined into one campus weekend, as she organized the “Alumni University” program and worked with alumni affinity programs in arranging and overseeing their respective reunion events. She has also interacted with several student organizations, such as the Traditions Commission, which works closely with the Office of Alumni Relations.

“Elaine Cardone has been the core of the Syracuse University alumni relations team for nearly 25 years,” says Bobkiewicz. “Her leadership working with reunion classes over these years has kept thousands of SU alums in close touch with their alma mater. Elaine’s excellent contributions over the years have been a signature of the fine work of the Office of Alumni Relations.”

Cardone received the Faculty and Staff Inspiration Award in 2007, the only staff member to receive an award that year.

“Andy and Elaine have made significant contributions to our alumni program, and we are grateful for their contributions,” says Charles Merrihew, associate vice president of institutional advancement. “Looking forward, these vacancies will necessitate our review of the organizational structure of the Office of Alumni Relations and how to best meet our needs and priorities to support our alumni and operations.” In the interim, Merrihew will oversee the office.