12/1/09

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State Alumni Association unveiled a new Web site that enables it to better create social interaction and distribute important information to alumni.

The Association worked with Paul Werth and Associates of Columbus, Ohio, and Susquehanna Technologies (SusQtech) of Winchester, Va., on the redesign project. Werth conducted research with alumni and created the graphic and functional design for the new site. SusQtech coordinated the technical interface and integration with the Association’s database.

The Web site changes were based on input from alumni in interview sessions conducted by Werth. Among the alumni recommendations for the redesign were: reorganize information, elevate a robust search function, provide engaging content, create meaningful connections, and feature membership benefits throughout the site.

The recommendations results in two priorities for the redesign project: (1) provide easy-to-use search and navigation for site visitors who want to retrieve information, and (2) incorporate social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, to support alumni connections.

The Alumni Association last redesigned its Web site in 2005. From 2008 to 2009, site visits to www.ohiostatealumni.org grew by 47 percent.

The Alumni Association is a dues-supported organization of graduates, former students, and friends of the university with more than 120,000 members. For more than 125 years, the Alumni Association has been dedicated to connecting alumni, friends and students to enhance and strengthen the traditions and reputation of The Ohio State University.

Contact: Jay Hansen, hansen@ohiostatealumni.org; (614) 292-9311