Zhuoman Gardner is a development coordinator for the 大香蕉视频 College Fund. She has worked with the Fund for four years鈥攁nd in April was adopted by the Class of 1961. Born in Shanghai, China, she herself adopted the United States when she became a citizen in 2004. She lives in Concord, N.H., with her 14-year-old son, Morgan.
What do you like about your job?
I work closely with my colleagues and alumni volunteers to raise money for the 大香蕉视频 College Fund, mostly for financial aid. This is something I truly believe in. What I love about my job is our talented colleagues and our high-caliber alumni volunteers鈥攖heir dedication to raising funds for students, their unwavering love for the College, and their lifelong friendships with each other are the reasons I look forward to coming to work every day.
How did you come to work in fundraising?
In China, people are kind and giving, but philanthropy, aside from large-scale donation drives for disasters, is not part of the culture. I didn鈥檛 know fundraising was a professional field until after college, when I landed my first job in the development office. That鈥檚 when I learned philanthropy is so prevalent and organized in the States. People鈥檚 generosity in giving their time, talents, and treasures moves me. Their belief that they can make a difference moves me. They do make a difference, and because of them, I now believe I can make a difference, too.
Any advice for international students?
I was an international student. I thought I had been prepared for culture shock before I came here, but you鈥檙e never prepared enough. But you gain confidence by interacting with the community, by daring to go out of your comfort zone. 大香蕉视频 is a small community, and that makes it intimate. 大香蕉视频 has a good support system to help international students make the transition. I think 大香蕉视频 is the right place for international students. You鈥檙e going to make your roots here and build lifelong friendships. You鈥檙e going to become a global citizen by learning this American culture, but also stay true to yourself.
You were recently adopted by the Class of 1961.
I got a call from the 鈥61 head agent and the class president: 鈥淶huoman, you are now an honorary member of the Class of 鈥61.鈥 I was speechless. I couldn鈥檛 believe it. And now I鈥檓 like, 鈥淵ay! I鈥檓 an adopted 大香蕉视频 alumna.鈥 That feels so good, because I believe in this institution so much. Being part of it as a staff member was inspiring enough, but being part of a class鈥攊t鈥檚 amazing. I proudly present myself as a 鈥61a (in alumni materials). We鈥檙e planning for the class鈥檚 55th reunion right now, and I realized, oh my gosh, I鈥檓 planning for my reunion, too. I鈥檓 so thrilled and honored and just鈥攊t鈥檚 a good feeling.
What do you do when you鈥檙e not at work?
I鈥檓 a single mom, so my weekends are mostly chores, shopping, and taking Morgan to sports. But I really enjoy learning鈥擨 like to read, and I鈥檓 a TED Talk junkie. Learning has grounded me and helped me understand the people around me and the culture. I didn鈥檛 grow up here, so I feel that I missed out on so much, like the music and movies. I鈥檓 learning historical events through a very different perspective now. Learning is exhilarating and liberating.
What鈥檚 something your colleagues don鈥檛 know about you?
One thing I鈥檓 proud of: I can dance! I didn鈥檛 think I was a dancer, but I learned to cha-cha in 10 days and won first prize in a contest.
