At PEG Ltd., we’ve had the pleasure of surveying thousands of alums representing hundreds of institutions, and boy, have we learned a thing or two! Over time, we’ve discovered that loyalty to the university isn’t static; it’s like a living, breathing organism that shifts and changes as people journey through life.
We thought we’d take a moment to share some of our findings. All of these results reflect alums who had the traditional undergraduate college experience from ages 18 to 22. As individuals age, their loyalty to their alma mater or university tends to deepen and solidify, often becoming an unbreakable lifelong bond. This enduring loyalty can be attributed to various factors.
Firstly, as time passes, people fondly reflect on their college years, cherishing memories of friendships, experiences, and academic achievements. These nostalgic sentiments foster a sense of attachment to the institution that significantly shaped their identity and prospects.
Alums often take immense pride in their alma mater’s accomplishments and advancements in various fields, feeling a deeply personal connection to the university’s success. Whether they’re witnessing groundbreaking research, celebrating notable alumni achievements, or marveling at the ongoing growth and development of campus infrastructure, these milestones further cement alumni loyalty and fuel their sense of belonging.
We’ve discovered that loyalty to individual faculty members may experience a decline with age, primarily due to the natural evolution of professional networks and interests. As individuals progress in their careers, they inevitably encounter a diverse array of mentors, colleagues, and industry influencers, each contributing to expanding their perspectives and broadening their horizons. This diversification of influences can sometimes diminish the singular influence that university faculty members once held over their former students.
Loyalty to student organizations may gradually decline as alums transition into different life stages, with shifting priorities and responsibilities gradually overshadowing their previous extracurricular involvements. While student organizations undoubtedly provide valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth during college, alums may find themselves increasingly drawn to other pursuits as they focus on advancing their careers, nurturing relationships, and pursuing personal passions outside academia.
Our decades of survey work have indicated that loyalty to university athletics tends to intensify with age, as alumni maintain a solid connection to their alma mater’s sports teams. For many, university athletics evoke cherished memories of spirited rivalries, nail-biting victories, and shared camaraderie among classmates. By actively supporting their alma mater’s teams, alumni relive the excitement of their college years and contribute to the vibrant community and rich traditions associated with university sports.
All of this means that the factors influencing loyalty to a university, faculty members, student organizations, and athletics are as diverse and multifaceted as the individuals themselves. While some loyalties may deepen over time, others may naturally wane as individuals navigate the ever-evolving landscape of their personal and professional lives. Nonetheless, the enduring bond between alums and their alma mater often serves as a powerful testament to the profound impact of higher education on individual growth, lifelong learning, and community engagement.
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