The vision of our alumni association is to provide opportunities for those who love WSU to connect with one another in vibrant and diverse ways.
One of those opportunities was participating in March Madness pep rallies and cheering for the men’s basketball team at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis. Not only was I fortunate to meet Tom ’59/67 and Joan ’55 Gilley of St. Louis, I also made the acquaintance of a speech pathologist from Haysville, Hilary Waters ’96/98, and even saw the Hon. Clark Owens ’72, who is usually hard at work in the Sedgwick County Courthouse.
My husband Eric ’87/92 and I reconnected with Kent Richards ’86, originally from Newton and now in St. Louis, as well as Alan ’88 and Holly ’91 Cobb of Topeka. While our team did not get the results it was seeking in St. Louis, the alumni association did. We proved the point that life is really about the people we meet along the way.
Another opportunity, also in March, came when the association helped sponsor the Barton School of Business’ Business Week, during which alumni connected with students in ways that benefited both. Certainly, connecting people who love WSU enriches them personally and often times professionally. It also helps the university through enhanced learning experiences for students and heightened stature locally and around the world.
Linwood Sexton ’48, my father-in-law, taught me about the WSU family, about volunteering to help students and alumni because they are family. Once a part of the family, your passion for WSU will radiate. Some call that “bleeding black and yellow.”
Julie-Ellen Acosta ’80/84 of Seattle and I had an e-mail conversation about alumni plans for the Seattle area, and I talked on the phone with Joy Heinrichs ’00 of Chicago about her alumni association involvement. Speaking of radiating passion, Julie and Joy practically glow.
Whether you bleed or glow, if the association has helped connect you to the WSU family, we are proud to have done so. If not, give us another try: Come to one of our events or volunteer for one of our many programs.
You’ll be glad you did.
