Student Alumni Council kicks off this fall

The Student Alumni Council held its inaugural meeting in early September, followed by a Welcome Cookout for the charter members.

"Our current students are our future alumni," stressed Schreese Carter, coordinator of the new program. "If we can get students to become active in the Alumni Association and improve their understanding of its role and mission, then the likelihood for future support of the university is much greater."

Carter also leads the association's other student group, the Alumni Dele-gates. Under the new Student Alumni Council, the Alumni Delegates will be the governing body, or executive board, of the SAC and only members of the SAC are eligible to be Alumni Delegates.

Beginning in spring 1995, Alumni Delegates will be chosen from among the membership of the Student Alumni Council.

Membership in the Student Alumni Council is open to all Mississippi State students. To be considered an active member, students must pay a $10 membership fee each semester in addition to serving on at least one committee and regularly attending council and committee meetings.

"Student alumni associations are very popular on university campuses across the country," explained Carter. "We believe that over the next few years we will build our organization into a dynamic student alumni group. We will do this by educating the students on the importance of a unified alumni group and involving them in the activities of the association."

The $10 fee, said Carter, will help fund the activities of the SAC and also precipitate future giving once the students leave Mississippi State.

"Volunteer support of our alumni, whether it be annual giving contributions or help in recruiting students, is extremely important to Mississippi State maintaining its quality academic environment," she said. "We hope the activities of the SAC will lead the students to support the university after they graduate."

Among the activities being planned for the Student Alumni Council are a mentoring program, a student/alumni networking program, community service, outreach programs, an ice cream give-a-away, Homecoming activities, Oozefest mud volleyball, an awards ceremony each spring for members, student recruiting, and a basketball tournament, in addition to an ongoing education program designed to inform the students about the colleges and schools, the Alumni Association, and the university.

"We are excited about the prospects of this program. The kids will have fun, build lifelong relationships, and develop interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills to use and build upon after they graduate. They'll come away with a better understanding and appreciation for the Alumni Association and Mississippi State, which will benefit the university for many years to come."