By JESSICA PETT
It’s no secret … everyone likes getting discounts. As Conestoga College students, you are on the brink of receiving a multitude of discounted tickets and services that many students don’t even know exist. All you have to do to qualify is to graduate.
Once you officially become a Conestoga College alumnus, you have access to over 20 different discounts on things like tickets, services, credit cards, home and auto insurance and on-campus benefits. Some available discounts include Hamilton Tiger Cats tickets, Wonderland passes, Centre in the Square admissions and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada passes. Some major affinity partners include National Car Rental, Johnson Inc., an insurance company, and Maryland Bank of North America.
Tim Tribe, Conestoga College’s chief development officer, said the college continues to form relationships with affinity partners and contributors in the hopes that alumni will keep a relationship with the college in a way that will benefit both parties.
“It is our hope that alumni will stay connected with the college. Perhaps they can nominate someone for an Alumni of Distinction or a Premier’s Award. Or, as they go forward in their careers, consider supporting the institution, as their situation allows.”
However, despite the monthly e-newsletter sent out by Alumni Relations and mail sent out to alumni by the affinity partners themselves, many former students still aren’t aware that these benefits are even available to them. Brian Major, a recent architecture project facility management graduate, was surprised to hear of the benefits he was now able to receive, and considered how these benefits could raise a sense of familiarity amongst alumni.
“I was not aware of these advantages but it is a good idea as I feel Conestoga does lack an alumni sense of family compared to the major universities in the surrounding area,” said Major. “I think it is a great resource for recent graduates who are possibly looking to travel and/or still need to live on a budget.”
Tribe said in order to access these benefits, alumni must create an account by registering online at www.conestogacommunity.ca/login-page. Once logged in, alumni can then see a full list of services available through the Office of Development and Alumni page.
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