95% of text messages are read -- and if you've seen the info on email solicitations you know that only about 50% of emails are read (on a good day).

And it's not just young alumni who text: in 2016, 84% of all alumni reported daily use of text messaging, and that number increases to nearly 100% for more recent grads. For this reason, we recommend that all pre-50th reunion classes consider incorporating texting into their solicitation plans for the year.

In addition to text-based outreach on an individual basis, Williams partners with Hustle, a peer to peer texting platform that makes it easy to reach out to many fellow alumni in a very short amount of time. Contact your development officer for more information.

b4 u txt...

Think about how you would normally communicate with this classmate via text. Would you spell everything out? Use common text-friendly abbreviations (i.e. LMK for let me know)? Be yourself; don't put on airs or try to be "cool".

Love emojis? Go to town. Not sure whether that one with the two hands is someone praying you'll make a gift, saying thank you for making a gift, or giving a high five? You might want to stick to using your words.