Oral History Project

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UMSON’s Alumni Memories Oral History Project

As we continue to welcome Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN as our new dean and prepare to celebrate the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s 135th anniversary during 2024-2025, we thought it would be meaningful to bring alumni stories together through the UMSON Alumni Memories project. This venture is a 12-month project to collect alumni stories and archive them into a digital archive commemorative book. Your participation in this project means so much to UMSON and the entire alumni community. With the publication of this commemorative book and the digital archive, your stories will live on to inspire future UMSON alumni and students.

The Project

Every UMSON alumni has a unique and special story, and we want to hear yours. However, with more than 25,000 living alumni, it’s close to impossible to meet with each of you individually. That’s why we have decided to embark on a new project called UMSON Alumni Memories to collect the stories of alumni like you in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact University of Maryland School of Nursing has had on your lives and who you are today.

Have You Moved?

As part of this project, we are taking the opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected with UMSON. We have partnered with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI) to help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved or lost touch with your alma mater.

What Will Your Story Be?

  • What UMSON memory will you share?
  • Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?
  • Did you find your partner, best friend, or mentor at UMSON?
  • Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at UMSON?
  • Have connections you made during nursing school turned into lifelong friendships?
  • Were you on campus during a historical moment?
  • Are you an UMSON legacy graduate (did a close relative also attend UMSON?)

PCI Partnership

We could never take on a project like this on our own, so we have partnered with PCI who can provide trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to hear what you want to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into the UMSON Alumni Memories book that will be shared with all UMSON alumni. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. Your contact information has NOT been sold or otherwise used for outside marketing purposes.

Do I Have to Buy Something?

No. This project is being done at NO COST to the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The project is completely funded by those alumni who choose to purchase the UMSON Alumni Memories book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered. PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other UMSON branded merchandise such as a t-shirt or sweatshirt. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or to order the UMSON Alumni Memories book. Again, we would never be able to take on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank everyone who participates and chooses to purchase the book.

What’s Next?

Soon you will be receiving email and postcard communications from the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We’d like to invite you to share one of your stories with us and take part in this first of its kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni. The PCI team will collect stories during spring 2024. After that, they will move into a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed by late spring 2025.

What to Look For

Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from UMSON, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your UMSON Memories.

image of a postcard mailed from UMSONImage of back of postcard stating to call within 5 daysBelow is an example of an email you will receive in your inbox. Once you receive the email, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your UMSON Memories. If you do not receive it, please call PCI at 1-800-982-1590 and update your contact information so that we can stay connected.

Email about alumni verification project

 

Contact Information

If you have any other questions about the project, please reach out to the PCI customer service desk at 1-800-982-1590 or customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. The UMSON Office of Development and Alumni Relations can be reached at 410-706-7640 or nrsalumni@umaryland.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Tell me more about the project.

We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for the University of Maryland School of Nursing. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at University of Maryland School of Nursing and how the school helped to shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.

Does University of Maryland School of Nursing benefit from this at all?

Yes, in a few different ways:

  • Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni
  • Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our school
  • Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school

How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?

PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law.

I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How can I do this?

  • If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Your story will be recorded, and the sound clip provided to the University of Maryland School of Nursing at the conclusion of the project.
  • If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
  • If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated University of Maryland School of Nursing update line at 410-706-7640.  
  • If you are living internationally or are unable to call the update line, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

How can I participate if I am Deaf/Hard of Hearing?

If you would like to participate and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

Can I choose what information prints in the publication?

The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your alumni record for the school/alumni association. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before 08/16/2024 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.

I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.

You can call back at any time before 08/16/2024 to share your story.

I shared a story and the representative said I could send a photo. How do I do this?

You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.

If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

Can anyone purchase a book?

The University of Maryland School of Nursing Oral History Publication is available for sale only to University of Maryland School of Nursing alumni.

When will I receive my book?

The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in February 2024, the books will be distributed in February 2025.

I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?

Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.