A Torch to Lead the Way

At her own Commencement in 1996, Ruth Lown Turman knew she and her fellow graduates had reached a milestone together, but there was something missing: the physical representation that they were now part of the alumni community.

“Although we had gotten to Commencement through varying paths, we were leaving with a common identity and a common mission as alumni,” recalls Turman. From that moment forward, the Class of 1996 represented Excelsior (then Regents College) and would be bringing their knowledge into their communities and workplaces. She thought it was important that this was represented in some way, but how?

That’s when Turman landed on the idea of an alumni torch. It was an idea she held on to for the next 27 years.

A Proud Graduate

After graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems, Turman quickly moved from a career in banking to working as a quality assurance analyst for an IT services company whose customers were some of the largest financial institutions in the United States. Careers in project management, business process engineering, and proposal management followed. “My Excelsior education provided the perfect foundation to allow my professional career to grow and evolve organically,” says Turman.

 Ruth Lown Turman leaned into her connection to Excelsior to make a gift of the alumni torch. Photo: Kyle Miller

But the impact of her Excelsior experience wasn’t just professional. Within a year of graduating, Turman became a member of Excelsior’s (then Regents College) alumni council. She says the true measure of the impact of the Alumni Association came during the first year she served on the council when she was diagnosed with cancer. “I tendered my resignation, but instead the council rearranged its schedule and events so that I was able to continue to participate throughout my treatments; the council became an extended family during those difficult days,” says Turman.

Being an Excelsior graduate has always meant something to Turman, so much so that one way Turman has personally given back is when, as a member of the alumni council, she made sure graduates weren’t alone during their Commencement. She says, “Over the years, I have attempted to adopt graduates who are at Commencement without family or friends so that they have someone who’s there to help them with their regalia and someone who encourages them as they walk across the stage and to applaud them.”

A Fortuitous Conversation

In late spring 2022, Turman made a connection that kick-started making her vision of an alumni torch a reality.

While she was making a scholarship donation to Excelsior, Turman had the opportunity to speak with Jamie Hicks-Furgang, assistant vice president of development and alumni engagement. Turman shared her idea of an alumni torch with Hicks-Furgang, and they discussed the torch becoming a Commencement alumni tradition. Excelsior’s Alumni Engagement and Marketing teams immediately began preparations to produce an alumni torch based on Turman’s vision.

The Alumni Leadership Council also recognized the torch’s potential to become Excelsior University’s first alumni tradition. Even more exciting was that the institution could start the tradition in July 2023 at the 51st Commencement, Excelsior’s first Commencement as a university.

 After a formal presentation, graduate speaker Jason DeLonais holds the alumni torch at Commencement 2023. Photo: Kris Qua

To Turman, the torch represents three important principles: scholarship, leadership, and service: scholarship because graduates chose Excelsior to continue their education; leadership because in earning their degrees, they have proven their ability to set and achieve goals; and service because it is a graduate’s responsibility to serve their community and give back to the University. Turman believes the torch symbolizes an opportunity for graduates to feel part of the University community and lets them know that their engagement with Excelsior doesn’t end once they graduate. “They are part of a community both at the University and within the alumni community that will support them and help them achieve their goals in life,” she says.

From Turman’s perspective, it is important for alumni to remember they belong to something larger than themselves — a growing community dedicated to helping each other and supporting Excelsior’s mission. “As alumni, we will always be a part of Excelsior University; it’s important to remember that connection and to carry it with us forward,” Turman says. “The torch gives us an opportunity to physically demonstrate that we are carrying that light out into the community.”

 The passing of the alumni torch becomes a tradition the next year when graduate speaker Sena Amegbletor carries the torch and leads graduates at the conclusion of Commencement 2024. Photo: Kris Qua

On July 14, 2023, Turman shared that light with more than 446 graduates and their families at Excelsior’s Commencement in Albany, New York. Draped in her regalia, Turman led the procession of the Alumni Leadership Council, proudly carrying the new torch for all to see. After degrees were awarded, Turman—with eyes shining and grin beaming—excitedly passed the torch to graduate speaker Jason DeLonais, a 2022 Master of Science in Criminal Justice and 2009 Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts graduate. For a moment the two stood, hands of each on the handle of the alumni torch, and held the new symbol high for all to see Excelsior’s first alumni tradition.