The University’s Alumni Center has updated its technological status with the addition of a Facebook group to boost connection.

As the popularity of Facebook has increased, the Alumni Center has utilized the social networking Web site in an attempt to connect with recent graduates.

Josh Venis, a 2003 University alumnus, created the group “Young Alumni of BGSU” in the hopes of allowing graduates of the last decade to reconnect with one another, plan reunions and help give back to the University, according to the group’s description.

The global group, now available to all of Facebook, was created during fall 2008, updating a similar group in which a BGNet e-mail account was needed to join. This, according to Venis, prompted the change.

“[The creation of the group] came as a directive from our Young Alumni Task Force efforts to get younger alumni plugged back into the University and retaining them by keeping them informed,” Venis said.

The group now features nearly 500 members and still experiences an occasional spike in popularity.

“We had an initial surge where a lot joined,” Venis said. “Then thereafter we also had some people continue [to join].”

The University’s official Web site also allows graduates to connect with the Alumni Association via Facebook.

The goal of the Facebook page is to connect alumni, family and friends of the University with each other. The page offers several ways to stay connected to the University, including newsletters, magazines and athletic information.

The page has over 650 fans, including 2007 University alumnus Jeff Nisius, who is appreciative of what it has to offer.

“[The page] is a good resource to stay up to date on what is happening at BG,” Nisius said. “It allows for easy access to things such as athletics and networking.”

Members of Facebook interested in joining the page can do so at www.bgsualumni.com/facebook.