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Universitas Sanata Dharma
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Faculty of Letters, Universitas Sanata Dharma Alumni Gathering: Strengthening Bonds and Reviving Memories

The Alumni of Fakultas Sastra

On Saturday, (3/5), the Faculty of Letters, Universitas Sanata Dharma held an Alumni Gathering at Campus 1, Mrican, Yogyakarta. This event was attended by many alumni from various generations as a place to stay in touch, share experiences, and plan the formation of the Faculty of Letters’ Alumni Association (Ikafasa). The event opened with the chanting of the Sanata Dharma Hymn, creating an emotional atmosphere as well as a strong spirit of togetherness. After the alumni enjoyed time to greet each other, shared stories, and recalled their college days, the event then continued with the remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Letters who conveyed two main things: the latest developments in the faculty and discussed how important the role of alumni is.
“The Faculty of Letters currently has four active study programs, including a Master of Literature program, and is the fourth largest faculty at Sanata Dharma University,” Dr. Yoseph Yapi Taum, M. Hum., Dean of the Faculty of Letters, said. “This is an extraordinary achievement. It is the result of the contribution of the entire academic community, including the alumni who have made the faculty proud in various fields. Alumni have an important role, not only to maintain the reputation of the faculty, but also to bridge the academic and professional worlds. They are important partners in the Tri Dharma of Higher Education: education, research, and service.”

This meeting was the initial space to encourage and strengthen the official alumni association. This is not just an ordinary bond, but also an active network that strengthens relationships between alumni and provides real support for students and campus. Interestingly, starting this year, the Faculty of Letters also plans to document the career paths and achievements of alumni. Besides from being a form of appreciation, this step also aims to provide inspiration and motivation for students.

“After a long time of not coming back, it feels like coming home,” Aji Febrianto, one of the alumni, remarked. “The atmosphere still feels the same as it used to. So, the memories are like repeating themselves. For me, the experience at USD really shaped me in the working world, such as the way to think critically, openly, and still carry the spirit to be a smart and humanist person. Those values were not only taught in class, but really felt until I entered the workforce, especially when I had to interact with many people from different backgrounds. It really shaped me in my career journey.”

The Stage for Temu Alumni FS

The theme of the alumni gathering this time was “Jembatan dunia-Bertemu di Layar, Bersemi di Halaman [The world bridge - Meeting in the screen, Blossoming in the garden].”  This theme was chosen because it represents the journey of the alumni, who have only met through the screen, now finally can meet each other face to face, share stories, and regain the warmth and spirit of togetherness.“The Faculty of Letters is very supportive of the current alumni network,” Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka, M.Hum., a lecturer of the English Letters Departmnt, explained. “Therefore, we would like to encourage them to form an official alumni association. We believe that a solid association will be one of the important forces in supporting the future progress of the Faculty of Letters. We hope that the alumni can be a good link between students and the world of work. That way, the campus network can be stronger, not only inside, but also outside. Alumni can become mentors, open opportunities, and even provide motivation for students.”

For the students who attended, the Alumni Gathering event provided an experience that was not only fun, but also opened new insights into the world outside the campus. Many of them felt inspired after speaking directly with alumni who have had careers in various fields. “I felt very inspired by their stories, especially their college journey and also how their values shaped them when they were out,” Bobo said, as one of the Faculty of Letters students. “The alumni also gave me a lot of useful advice, such as encouragement to keep learning, advice on how to study well, and I also learned about the importance of networking and building good relationships with people.”
With the spirit of togetherness, the USD Faculty of Letters Alumni gathering is an important first step in strengthening the relationship between alumni, students, and the professional world. The alumni association is expected to be a bridge that continues to connect each generation, bringing progress and tangible benefits to the USD faculty of literature family. (DK)

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