Alumni Association

Global Chapters Host a Variety of Networking, Education Events

Kate Donovan, manager of alumni relations

March 14, 2014

From left: Carl Larson, Alison Collins, Jessica Neiwert, Bill Larson, Miles Kvalheim, Rebecca Boyajian and Eric Perez gather together at the bash.

Each time I sit down to compile this quarterly summary of chapter news, I am amazed by the variety and multitude of events and activities our alumni chapters have accomplished. Even in the “busy months,” by jewelry industry standards, alumni chapters’ activities did not slow down, delivering education sessions, social events and gemological updates to members – in fact, our chapters have hosted 40 events since my last report!

Since our last Alum Connect edition in December 2013, the alumni office is pleased to report:

Alumni around the world officially welcomed Susan Jacques as GIA president and CEO on Jan. 1. She is the sixth leader in GIA’s 83-year history and, as a GG from the Santa Monica campus class of 1980, is a fellow alumnus.
The global industry descends upon Tucson, Arizona every February as the city hosts 40 gem and mineral fairs in a three-week period. I am proud to say that GIA alums were there in full force – as exhibitors, show attendees, lecturers and buyers. Seeing so many familiar faces and hearing about your achievements makes the show beyond a success for me. Plus, more than 300 guests from 24 countries attended our “Party at the GIA Gem Mine” dinner dance and annual alumni reunion.
Alumni Awards were presented at the Tucson event. These awards are given to chapter members who represent outstanding leadership and achievement within our chapters across the globe. (See Alumni Award story for more information.)
2013 Continuing Education Recognition Program successful completers were also recognized. The program was created to offer GIA GGs across the globe access to the latest gemological education to help graduates stay relevant.

Here are some of the chapter activities and events that have occurred since early December:

Chapter expansion continues: Alumni in Singapore and Spain are working to create a chapter; Bangkok leadership has been identified; South Carolina hosted its first meeting; and Las Vegas will host its first meeting later this month.
Year-end festivities were held by North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Vancouver and officer elections and chapter dinners took center stage in Hong Kong and Minnesota – Twin Cities.
Museum exhibitions featuring the high-end jewelry of David Webb and Van Cleef & Arpels were visited by South Florida and our three Southern California Chapters. The Mile High chapter visited its home state’s famous mineral collection at the Colorado School of Mines.
Hands-on gemological sessions on lead-glass filled rubies were presented by California – Golden Gate and a trifecta of multi-day classes on corundum treatments, emerald fillers and pearl grading were hosted by Florida – Gulf Coast.
Jewelry history was a hot topic for three chapters: Manhattan hosted “The Gilded Age – New York”; while California – Golden Gate, London and Manhattan featured renowned British jewelry historians Dr. Jack Ogden and John Benjamin (who is regularly seen on the BBC’s “Antiques Roadshow”).

John Benjamin, a long-time contributor of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, spoke at a December GIA Alumni Association London chapter event and shared the importance of looking at jewelry design in the context of the time period.

John Benjamin, a long-time contributor to the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, spoke at a London Alumni Association chapter meeting and shared the importance of looking at jewelry design in the context of its time. Photo by GIA

Colored gemstone buying, selling, trends and a Tucson report were topics for Washington D.C., California – San Diego and Golden Gate, as well as Florida – Gulf Coast and Jacksonville.
Diamonds and industry news were covered in Manhattan by industry veterans Alan Bronstein and Diane Waria Argas, while South Florida hosted Alexander Elbin, on the “Emerging Roles of the Auction Market.”
Beneficiation, industry responsibility and empowering local industry was discussed at two chapters: Martin Harmon, a GIA staff gemologist, spoke at Africa’s first event in Namibia and Patricia Syvrud, on behalf of the Diamond Development Initiative, spoke to California – Golden Gate.

Many members of the GIA Alumni Association in Africa attended the first event in Namibia. Photo by GIA

Chapters hosting social gatherings included: Houston and Ontario (CAN) monthly meet-ups and Malaysia, Arizona – Phoenix and North Carolina’s “Meet & Greets.”
Collaborations between chapters are on the rise. Co-activities have included Texas – Houston and Lone Star who joined forces to host visiting Scottish gemologist, Alan Hodgkinson; three California Chapters (Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego) that planned a group museum tour; Texas – Lone Star coordinated an annual dinner gathering open to all visiting alums at Tucson; plus London hosted Hawaii president Brenda Reichel as a guest lecturer who spoke on the historical connection between the Hawaiian Crown Jewels and the British royals.
An Alumni Leadership Breakfast Forum was also held in Tucson. This gathering brought 30 leaders from 16 alumni chapters together with GIA leadership, including Susan Jacques, president and CEO; and representatives from finance, education, communications and alumni. The group met to foster expanded chapter-to-chapter dialogue and relationships, as well as to share best practices that deliver value to their members.

Standing from left: Denise Nelson, Washington, D.C. Chapter ambassador; Suzanne Martinez, co-president of the Golden Gate Chapter; Merle Koblenz, president of the Manhattan Chapter; Rebecca Buys, president of the San Diego Chapter; and Gail Levine, secretary and treasurer of the Manhattan Chapter. Sitting from left: Kate Donovan, GIA Manager of Alumni Relations, and Katharyn Zava, treasurer of the North Carolina Chapter.

Alumni chapter leaders meet to share ideas at a breakfast in Tucson. Standing from left: Denise Nelson, Washington, D.C. Chapter ambassador; Suzanne Martinez, co-president of the Golden Gate Chapter; Merle Koblenz, president of the Manhattan Chapter; Rebecca Buys, president of the San Diego Chapter; and Gail Levine, secretary and treasurer of the Manhattan Chapter. Sitting from left: Kate Donovan, GIA Manager of Alumni Relations, and Katharyn Zava, treasurer of the North Carolina Chapter.

Chapter travel events:

Malaysia is planning an excursion to Myanmar this fall and all global alumni are welcome to attend. This is the second “International Alumni Gathering” trip planned by the chapter. All interested parties should contact the Malaysia Alumni Chapter’s Dorothy Jen for more information or to let them know you may be interested in joining.