The history of the Asian Pacific Alumni Network at the University of Virginia
For many years, the Asian Student Union (ASU) had contemplated establishing a means of maintaining communication with its Asian and Asian Pacific American alumni. In the summer of 1998, these aspirations materialized into action.
At the beginning of the summer of 1998, ASU President Yen Ling Shek (Col class of ’99) and Annetta Thompson (Educ ’73) of the Alumni Association distributed surveys to over 2,000 Asian and Asian Pacific American alumni, soliciting information regarding their experiences, interests, and concerns. Subsequently, numerous responses were received, corroborating the belief that there was a substantial level of support—and indeed a significant need—for the establishment of an alumni network.
Consequently, Yen and the newly appointed Assistant Dean of Students, Glenna Chang, established a small planning committee of alumni to explore the potential of the alumni organization in the fall of 1998. The committee convened in November of that year to review the results of the surveys, generate ideas, and outline the general structure of the proposed alumni organization. During this meeting, the participants unanimously agreed on the provisional title “Asian and Asian Pacific American Alumni Network” (AAPAAN) and the overarching objective of creating an alumni structure that fosters and supports connections with the University of Virginia community. Based on this foundation, several primary objectives for the organization were also delineated. These objectives included efforts to: provide mentorship to current students, establish a career network for students and alumni, assist in recruiting Asian and Asian Pacific American students, develop scholarships, and create a social network for alumni.
The planning committee reconvened in early February to further refine the configuration of the alumni council, its projected budget, and a strategic plan. Subsequently, that month, the network’s inaugural social event was organized in Northern Virginia. The event was held at the Masquerade, a bar and café located in a central area frequented by many young Asian Pacific American alumni. The event was met with resounding success, attracting nearly fifty Asian and Asian Pacific American alumni in attendance.
The inaugural official meeting of the network took place on April 24, 1999, in Charlottesville. At that juncture, interim members were selected to positions within the organization for the first time.
In the summer of 2026, AAPAAN underwent a transformation into the Asia Pacific Alumni Network (APAN), acknowledging that some of our alumni community may not have been born or may not be geographically situated within the United States.
The future prospects of the network remain promising.