R ... Like Alumni Network

As the alumni census published in August 1933 shows, the school's influence is first and foremost that of a major regional school: 202 of the 258 ex-students up to date with their subscriptions come from the "Grand-Ouest" quarter alone."

From January 1931 onwards, a " Quarterly Bulletin " was published to unite alumni.

The Chairman, ably assisted by his future successor, Paul JUSTEAU (1951/1964), set about creating a network of correspondents throughout the country.

In 1932, the Association joined the Fédération des Amicales de l'Enseignement Catholique de France.

During the thirties, the Association provided effective support for Director Paul BAUGAS, in whom it in turn found an unfailing advocate, convinced as he was of the importance of such an amicale, absolutely necessary in his eyes for the emergence of a transgenerational sense of belonging, as he had observed in Germany in particular.He was convinced of the importance of such an association, which in his eyes was absolutely essential to the emergence of a trans-generational sense of belonging, as he had observed in Germany in particular. In 1938, ESSCA had 700 alumni.

It was at this time that the need arose to transform the existing associative framework. The alumni, led by the banker POUSSET and his inseparable accomplice Paul JUSTEAU, decided to commit the Association to financing the project to physically transform the School, which they had initiated with the Director. A change to the Articles of Association proved insufficient, and a new legal entity was needed. Called the " Association des Anciens Elèves de l'École Supérieure de Commerce d'Angers ", with its head office at3 rue Rabelais in Angers, and was duly registered with the prefecture on October 29, 1938. In August 1939, the new 194-member Association made the final adjustments to its articles of association, authorizing the General Meeting to take out a loan. Thanks to this active support, Paul BAUGAS was able to carry out the building work that would give the school its logistical independence at the end of the thirties.

Despite the difficulties it entailed, the war did not stop initiatives. On June 19, 1943, a large reunion of former members was organized, at which time a list of 239 paid-up members was published, including 26 prisoners of war held in Germany.

As we emerge from these difficult times, it's time to take stock.

In March 1951, a nominal statement of the Association's regularly-registered alumni showed 337 subscribers up to date, of whom 92, or 27%, lived in Maine-et-Loire. The remainder were spread throughout France and the colonies, the vast majority in the northern half of the country and mainly in the north-western quarter. An embryonic international network was taking shape, with a very small minority living abroad, the United States already being represented.

It's impossible to talk about the network's activities since the Second World War without underlining the dedication of such great figures as Paul JUSTEAU (deceased in 1970), class of 1919, leader of the Christian employers' association and initiator of social housing. Bernard GOUNOUF (1915-1994) , class of 1930-32, pioneer of modern distribution in France, who remained with ESSCA until his death. The "Grand Amphi" which bears his name is a fitting tribute to him.

The association owes its development to the tireless dedication of these great figures over four decades.

But an alumni association worthy of the name must first and foremost ensure communication between all its members, and of course with the École. This proximity requires a liaison body. As we have seen, as early as the thirties, a newsletter was intended to unite alumni.

In 1961, Louis RANGHEARD (class of 1957, President 1964/65 and 1975/78), assisted by Pierre LEMONNIER (class of 1953, President 1965/67), endowed the Association with a new magazine and launched " RÉSONNANCES ", which ran throughout the decade, and which its creator managed to revive for two issues in the late 70s.

The title was recently revived in June 2006, becoming " RÉSONN@NCES" for the occasion, and featuring an excellent dossier on sustainable development in its first issue. It was the successor to " PARTENAIRES ", created by Thierry FOSSE (class of 1984) in November 1986, which was active during the 80s and 90s and became the " LETTRE DE PARTENAIRES".

These publications are veritable mines of information on the School at all its different stages, and despite their diversity, and without any sycophancy, we must emphasize the excellence of their content. However, the bulletin and magazine are no longer the only link between alumni. The ESSCA Network now has an official ESSCALIAN blog.

Let's take a look at the Network's history.

In 1981, the Association had 525 members, representing 2,000 alumni since its origins. Regional and international clubs were created to broaden its audience.

In May 1991, ESSCA's national alumni congress was held, with alumni returning to La Baule, which had already hosted their General Meeting twice in the 1930s.

The 1985-1995 decade saw the structuring and development of the Association. AroundHenri MALARD (class of '63) and Bernard GOUNOUF (class of '32), a team of "musketeers" was formed, including Thierry FOSSE(class of '84), Philippe ECRAN (class of '86) and the late Jean-Yves VETILLARD (class of '66) and Arnaud D'HEROUVILLE (class of '80).

Under his impetus, the Association was given a truly permanent structure, " Partenaires " was relaunched was relaunched, and theAlumni Directory became a regular publication in its current form. In just a few years, membership has more than doubled!

But the events organized by the Association, however successful they may be, are only the visible face of the in-depth action that justifies it. As Jean-Claude BOUVARD (class of 1957-1960), President from 1979 to 1985, wrote: "the Association has thus accompanied the necessary changes with its thoughts and actions . By taking part in the governing bodies, it has collaborated in all decisions affecting the future of the school in both pedagogical and institutional terms. In particular, in close collaboration with management, it runs a job placement and promotion service, which is playing an increasingly important role with regional and national companies. " And today, we should add, international.

The international network is one of the École's great strengths. It has 11 clubs in major cities around the world, and a presence in over 70 countries today.

"With over 10,000 graduates since its inception, the ESSCA Network in 2009 boasted 6,500 active members, not all of whom are up to date with their membership dues, but the majority of whom are always ready to help, when it comes to finding an internship in a company, a job or a career.when it comes to finding an internship with a company, welcoming a prospective student to New York or sponsoring a student in their third year. Isabelle BARB, former Managing Director of the Alumni Network.

J-P. MASSARDIER (class of 1997) readily confirms: "The ESSCA Network is present everywhere and always available! ".

And Quentin MALASSINET (class of 1996) continues: "Not a single month goes by without me having a professional or friendly relationship with an alumnus. Nothing happens by itself. We all need each other these days.

One of the functions of the Alumni Network is to publish themythical Yearbook, the source of all contacts, the school's true memory.