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    DeSales University Oral History Project

     

    About


    DeSales University has partnered with Publishing Concepts (PCI) to collect alumni stories for a DeSales University/Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales oral history project. PCI specializes in publishing directories and oral histories for educational institutions and other organizations nationwide.

    Launched in July 2026, this project aims to capture DeSales University’s rich history through the voices and memories of our alumni and community. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact DeSales has on your lives and who you are today. Every year we don’t capture and preserve these stories feels like another opportunity lost, so we’re excited to get started today!

    We look forward to sharing DeSales stories through this project, made possible by the support of our amazing alumni and our partnership with PCI.
     

    What to Expect


    You will receive emails and postcards about the project. While the communication may look different from the previous messages you've received from DeSales, it is an official communication from the institution, distributed by our partner, PCI.

    When you respond to the communication, they will verify the information we have on file for you and then ask you to share your story about your time at DeSales University/Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales. After your interview, you'll have the opportunity to purchase a limited-edition coffee table book or a digital archive featuring your story alongside those of other alumni, as well as other DeSales-branded items. However, purchasing is entirely optional and is not required to share your story.

    Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.
     

    Your Story


    Every alum has a unique story to share that connects to the impact of your alma mater. To help spark memories and capture your experiences, we have crafted a set of questions and shared them with PCI. A representative may ask you questions like these and more.

    • When looking back at your time at DeSales (Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales), how do you think you grew or changed as a person while you were here?
    • Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at our alma mater?
    • Have the connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
    • How did your time here help prepare you for life after graduation?
    • What is one lesson you learned at DeSales that has stayed with you throughout your life?
    • Is there a professor, mentor, or experience that had a lasting impact on you?
    • And more!


    How to Participate


    If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at DeSales University/Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales. Your story will be recorded, and the sound clip provided to DeSales at the conclusion of the project.

    • If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
    • There is no cost to participate in the oral history project. After your interview, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a limited-edition coffee table book or a digital archive featuring your story alongside other alumni, or other DeSales-branded items, but purchasing is entirely optional and not required to share your story.
    If you do not want to participate in the Oral History Project, but would like to update your contact information directly with DeSales use our Update your Contact Information form. 


    What to Look For


    Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from the TTAA, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your story.
     

    Postcard FrontPostcard Back

    Do I have to buy something?

    • No, there is no obligation to buy anything. This project is being conducted at no cost to DeSales University, with funding provided by alumni who choose to purchase the limited-edition book and digital story archive that will be created at the end of the project. When you are contacted, a PCI representative will share the available book packages for purchase. While you are welcome to buy these items, it is not required to participate in the project. We sincerely appreciate all alumni who support the project by sharing their stories and, if they choose, through a purchase of the book or digital archive.
    • The items available for purchase are listed below, along with their associated costs, to give you a sample of the products being offered.
    ItemPriceS&H
    Loyalty Package: Book, Digital Publication, T-shirt, Sweatshirt, Travel Bag $459.98 $39.98
    Pride Package: Book, Digital Publication, T-shirt, Sweatshirt $359.98 $29.98
    Value Package: Hardbound + Digital Publication $269.98 $19.98
    Hardbound book $179.98 $19.98
    Digital Publication $179.98 $0.00
    Apparel (ash grey sweatshirt & t-shirt) $79.98 $14.98
    Travel Bag $89.98 $19.98

    State sales tax added where applicable

    How do I know if my information will only be used for this project?

    • PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law.

    How can I participate if I am Deaf/Hard of Hearing?

    • If you would like to participate and are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, please email PCIservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

    Tell me more about PCI?

    • PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years.

    Does DeSales University benefit from this at all?

    • Yes, in a few different ways:
      • Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni
      • Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our school
      • Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school

    Can I choose what information prints in the publication?

    • The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your alumni record for the school/alumni association. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before 12/25/2026 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / PCIservice@publishingconcepts.com.

    I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.

    • You can call back at any time before 12/25/2026 to share your story.

    I shared a story and the representative said I could send a photo. How do I do this?

    • You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.
    • If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

    Can anyone purchase a book?

    • The DeSales University Oral History Publication is available for sale only to DeSales University alumni.

    When will I receive my book?

    • The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in June 2026, the books will be distributed in June 2027.

    I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?

    • Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.

    Contact

    If your question or concern is not addressed on this page, please contact Melissa Ciment, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, DeSales University at melissa.ciment@desales.edu.