Tufts Class of 2008 elects peer leaders to Tufts Alumni Council

Newly elected Senior Transitional members: (l to r) Bruni Hirsch, Harsha Dronamraju, Jen Bokoff, and Chloe Rossen.

May 12, 2008--The Tufts University Alumni Association welcomes Harsha Dronamraju, Bruni Hirsch, Jen Bokoff, and Chloe Rossen as the elected Class of 2008 Transitional Members to the Tufts Alumni Council. The four were selected by their classmates among a very competitive field of 18 candidates seeking the volunteer opportunity. Since the year 2000, the Tufts Alumni Council has made available four positions for graduating seniors in effort to expand the role of young alumni leadership.

The Class of 2008 voted at a much higher rate than previous classes, showing their commitment to active involvement in the Tufts community. The newly elected members represent the diverse interests and backgrounds of the Tufts community.

Harsha Dronamraju is an Economics major who has been involved in activities including the TCU Senate, Tufts Association of South Asians and Hindu Students Council, Tufts Programs Abroad, and the Hillel Moral Voices program.

Bruni Hirsch, a double major in International Relations and Community Health, served this year as Vice-President of the TCU Senate, is a sister of Alpha Omicron Pi, had a leadership role in the BUILD (Building Understanding through International Learning and Development), participated in the SSARA (Student Sexual Assault Response Assistant) hot-line, worked with the Women's Center, and studied abroad on the Tufts in Tübingen Program. For her outstanding achievements, she received a Senior Award from Tufts University Alumni Association this Spring.

Jen Bokoff, a Sociology major, took leadership positions at National Student Partnerships, taught and designed a course, “The Sociology of Board Games”, was part of an award-winning documentary production team, served as a WMFO 91.5FM DJ for 2 years and choreographed a dance for Tufts Dance Collective. Jen was also recognized for her stellar Tufts career with a TUAA Senior award this year.

Chloe Rossen, a double major in International Relations and Economics, is a member of Sigma Iota Rho, the International Relations Honor Society, has been a Scholar for the Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, is a member of the varsity sailing team, a Hillel board member, and a Tufts tour guide.

"I think an individual's relationship with Tufts has more scope after graduation because an active alumnus has a vested interest in the university's past, present, and future. One of the things that I truly enjoyed during my four years as a student has been experiencing Tufts' great traditions," said Harsha Dronamraju. "I think our history is something we can put more of an emphasis on. As a alumni council member, I'd be very interested in looking to see if its possible to incorporate a strong feeling of the 'Tufts family' by creating high profile interactions between alumni and students on campus."

Jen Bokoff added, "Tufts has given me so much support, knowledge, experience, and opportunity that I wanted to give back as an alumna. By serving as a council member, I will be a part of the continuous improvement of Tufts initiatives and a vector for celebrating the Jumbo spirit and connections across the country and world."

The four will be officially inducted into the Alumni Council at TUAA’s spring meeting held on June 1st with a welcome from Alumni Association President, Sunny Breed, J66, G72.