1. They’re devoted.

Young Alumni of Color, a network started in 2011, is passionate and dedicated to connecting Terriers across thousands of miles. Under the wing of volunteer leader Farrah Belizaire (SAR’11, MET’13), the group rose to new heights this year by organizing meet-ups around the country with 115 alumni and linking up with students on the BU campus during Alumni Weekend.

2. They’re entrepreneurial.

Led by Chor Chen Ang (Questrom’87), Somerton Sio (CAS’09), Sandy Gwee (Questrom’98), Brian Pietrantonio (CGS’04, Questrom’06), and Alyson Grosshandler (Questrom’99), the diverse Alumni Network of Singapore attracted more local alums than ever before. From preparing food for a soup kitchen as part of their first Global Days of Service to hosting a French wine master class, network members came up with some terrific programming.

3. They’re surprising.

In early 2015, Lori Rohner (Questrom’86) became a new alum volunteer in Zurich—previously unexplored territory for the BU Alumni Association, which had counted only 40 alums in the area. But by snagging the US ambassador to Switzerland, Suzan LeVine, for an event in Zurich, Rohner uncovered 61 alums eager to reconnect with Boston University.

Participants in the Digital Revolution panel in Los Angeles in June 2015: Lawrence I. Weinberg (COM’86), senior advisor and lecturer for the BU Los Angeles program (from left), Jonathan Tavss (CFA’92), president of Scarlet Strategic, Jay Roewe (COM’79), senior vice president of West Coast productions for HBO, actress Michaela Watkins (CFA’94), and Beth Roberts (LAW’83), executive vice president of business operations at NBCUniversal.

4. They’re powerful.

In Los Angeles, a group of entertainment industry power players convened for A Digital Revolution: Exploring the Impact of Online Media, which covered the future of content creation and delivery. The event featured Beth Roberts (LAW’83), executive vice president, business operations, at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment; Jay Roewe (COM’79), senior vice president, West Coast productions, for HBO; Jonathan Tavss (CFA’92), president of Scarlet Strategic; Michaela Watkins (CFA’94), an actress; and Jay Roth (LAW’71), executive director of the Directors Guild of America. Attracting more than 100 people, the program provided an opportunity for BU alumni in the entertainment industry to network their hearts out.

5. They’re eager.

Chicago volunteer leader Meggie Cramer (COM’11) has helped plan event after event since graduating, making her something of a celebrity in the BU Chicago community. For years, Cramer has been the point person for alums who have just moved to the area and are looking to connect with other Terriers. Her dedication makes her a gem in the Alumni Network of Chicago.

6. They’re just plain fun.

Every year, Billy Jacobs (CAS’83) hosts a Beanpot watch party at his Chicago restaurant, Piece. The popular New England–style pizzeria is adorned with BU memorabilia and hockey jerseys, ideal for the gathering. Last year’s watch party drew more than 75 people for the final matchup against Northeastern. The Terriers were the tournament champions, taking home the coveted Beanpot trophy. A double win for this party.

7. They’re innovative.

Lunch & Learn is a quarterly series dedicated to bringing alumni together at Microsoft in Redmond, Wash. Covering issues from public health outcomes in developing countries to product strategy and architecture, the program allows tech-savvy Terriers to connect and share best practices, talent, and ideas. In some cases, colleagues who met at Lunch & Learn had no idea that they had been working side-by-side with a fellow BU alum.

Singapore alumni attend a joint event with the University of Southern California in Singapore last August.

8. They’re faithful.

Bill Cohen (Questrom’74) is often described as “the oil” in the Alumni Network of Portland because he keeps the wheels turning. Cohen plays an integral part in recruiting new volunteers, building the network, and helping to manage business networking events and nights out at the Portland Winterhawks hockey games, Beanpot watch parties, and more. While Portland is one of the smallest West Coast alumni groups, Cohen actively engages as many Terriers as he can and makes a practice of reaching out to new alums in the area.

9. They give back.

As part of Global Days of Service—a program that brings together the entire BU community in April to serve other communities around the world—Erica Mosca (CGS’06, COM’08) and six other alumni helped pack food for hungry families at the Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas. One in six southern Nevadans struggles with hunger, and the BU volunteers chose to work at the food bank as a way of making a real impact.

Inspired? Get involved: bu.edu/alumni/community