It’s an exciting year for QUEST! This year marks the 30th anniversary of QUEST, formerly the IBM-Total Quality Program. This program was founded back in 1992 after winning a $1 million grant from IBM. Eight universities won the grant, but QUEST is the only program still in existence!
I had a chance to speak with Luke Muratore (Cohort 37), one of the QUEST students on the 30th anniversary planning committee to get more insight into what this celebration will entail.
How/when did you get involved with the QUEST 30th Anniversary planning?
I was first approached by the QUEST staff about joining the QUEST 30th anniversary committee last December at Cohort 34’s QUEST Conference. We then started planning around February, and it’s been so exciting to plan ever since.
What does being on the 30th anniversary committee mean? What tasks does it entail?
With both QUEST students and alumni on the 30th anniversary committee, we all work together and bounce ideas around with Jess Roffe and Rachel DiDonna from the QUEST staff about what the celebration weekend will entail. Whether it’s about the fun activities at the main event or details concerning the timeline of the weekend, we want to make sure the expectations of alumni and students are met. Otherwise, the main tasks have included organizing the development of the 30th anniversary website and making an event slideshow.
What should students expect when attending the main event on November 12th?
We truly want to give QUEST students past and present the opportunity to look back on their time in the program, catch up with each other, and celebrate QUEST for the people it has brought together and the careers that it has helped foster.
What are you most excited for everyone to see?
I am so excited for everyone to see how far the program has come. Through the pictures, trivia, and alumni from all the way back to the first cohort, it’s going to give everyone a wide appreciation for being a part of an organization that has impacted so many people.
Anything else you’d like to add!
I would just like to thank Jess Roffe and Rachel DiDonna for the time, effort, and care that they have put into this celebration, as well as the other members of the 30th anniversary planning committee. I am so excited to celebrate 30 years of QUEST!
EVENT DETAILS:
The Main Event will be held on Saturday, November 12th, 2022 from 6-8pm at The Hotel at the University of Maryland. The Optional Student/Alumni Networking Brunch will be on Sunday, November 13th, 2022 from 11am-1pm at Busboys and Poets. Registration is now open for alumni at go.umd.edu/quest30threg. Registration will open for students in October.
Regardless of if you attend the event or not, we hope you will utilize our 30th Anniversary Networking website to see what fellow alumni are up to, sort by expertise, college, and/or cohort, and connect virtually.
We can’t wait to celebrate this exciting year with all of you! Happy 30th anniversary, QUEST!