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NAA Volunteer Spotlight on
Gerald "Jerry" Jablonski (SESP59) and
Joanne "Jo" (Fistek) Jablonski (WCAS and School of Medical Technology, Evanston Hospital 1960)
 Occupation: Retired (but busy!) after careers with the Department of Defense (Jerry) and medicine, business, and child rearing (Jo)
NU Affiliations:
How did you get involved as an NAA volunteer and how long have you been affiliated with this, or other, NAA organizations?
We were involved with the Alumni Admission Council (AAC) in Northern Virginia for about 20 years. This continued when we moved to South Florida and were asked to take over the AAC in Ft. Lauderdale in 2000. We both were members of the DC Alumni Club, where Jerry served on the advisory board. Jo currently is serving on the NAA nominating committee since 2004.
What was one of your most rewarding experiences as an alumni volunteer?
Being able to inspire a perspective student to attend NU. We enjoy being able to put into words the meaning of the NU experience.
What keeps you involved with NAA?
Knowing that we have done a job well. Getting to know people who also bleed purple. Enjoying the varied programs of the Clubs.
What are your other interests?
Family and travel. Jerry represents a cruise travel agency as an agent.
How has your NAA experience benefited you personally and/or professionally?
The NAA has put us in touch with other alums in our area. That bond links us and gives us a feeling of home.
What advice would you give to an alumnus new to volunteering?
VOLUNTEER! You never know what possibilities are out there and what new friends that you will find. There is always something that you can do for NU, though you may not think so.
How often do you get back to campus? What brings you back?
We are both back for the Leadership conferences in the fall. We attend the John Evans Club Waa Mu weekend in the spring. We may travel to campus on other occasions to attend meetings or to show perspective students our campus. We return as often as we can because we are very proud of our association with Northwestern University and its volunteer system.
What is your favorite memory of Northwestern as a student?
We remember the beauty of the crocuses of spring in the South quad after a cold, cold winter. And there is the memory of the view of Lake Michigan from Tech before the landfill, Norris, and the Allen Center. There was even an observatory in those days. We will never forget these things and more. As a matter of fact, we met on campus and have been married 44 years.
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