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April 16, 2007

ULM the first in Louisiana to connect alumni through secure online social network

The University of Louisiana at Monroe Alumni Association announces the launch of The Warhawk Network, a new online social network that will connect ULM alumni.

The ULM Alumni Association is the first in the state to collaborate with inCircle, the network's host. By participating in inCircle, ULM joins the ranks of Dartmouth College, Stanford University and Georgetown University.

ULM's inCircle, which is powered by Affinity Engines, is a trusted and secure online forum where more than 55,000 ULM alumni can build and maintain personal and professional connections with other alums and friends-of-friends within the network. ULM faculty, staff and graduating seniors can also participate.

Unlike online social networks that are open to the general public, inCircle is a private-label network that requires identity verification before a person can join.

Alumni information is pre-populated, enabling users to build profiles and decide what information is available to other alums. The network grows virally with each new authenticated member who invites more alumni into the exclusive community.

“Online social networks have become a convenient and engaging way for groups to communicate,” said Keith Brown, ULM's executive director for Alumni and Community Relations. “We’re pleased to not only offer ULM alumni the benefits of networking with each other online but also the security only a private-label network can provide.”

ULM alumni can login or register for inCircle by visiting
https://ulm.affinitycircles.com or through the ULM Alumni web site at www.ulm.edu/alumni.

Once on the network, participants can communicate through messaging, photo albums and blogs, reconnect with classmates or groups, participate in forum discussions, and make professional connections. Alumni can also use the search capability to find other alums who share interests, common acquaintances, professions, locations, and more.

T.J. Shuflin (B.S. '75), vice president of the ULM Alumni Association, looks forward to using the new network. "The professionally-designed social networking environment allows us to not only communicate with fellow alumni, but to network in a multitude of ways via a trusted Internet service. I’ll be actively involved."

The network will give Valorie Stafford Kissinger (B.F.A. '05) a great way to stay connected to her friends from ULM, she said. "After graduation, life pulls you in so many different directions - marriage, new careers, babies.

It's a great feeling to know there is still a way to keep in touch with all of the wonderful friends I have made at ULM. Not to mention the security of knowing there is a huge career network at my fingertips."

Affinity Engines is committed to connecting alumni with each other and with their university, said Steve Loughlin, CEO of Affinity Engines. “We’re pleased to be working with the ULM Alumni Association to offer ULM alums a safe, dynamic inCircle network that facilitates more alumni involvement both on and offline.”

About Affinity Engines

Affinity Engines is a technology company that provides a secure infrastructure for private-label online social networks. With inCircle, the company’s hosted network solution, alumni associations can help their alums build and maintain personal and professional connections in a dynamic, trusted online community. For more information on Affinity Engines please visit
www.affinityengines.com

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