It is with great excitement that I write this inaugural message as President of the board of directors. A little more than 10 years ago, I served as President of the Student Alumni Association. Now, I am proud to give back to the WSU Alumni Association as a volunteer.
It has been reported to me that I am among the youngest alums to serve as President. The youngest was Harry Schuler ’13/30, who was 22 when he began his 1913-15 term, and Wesley Park ’34 (1941-42) was 29. I think this is a testament to the alumni association’s ongoing efforts to build relationships with young alumni and current students that will translate to actively involved alums.
Nearly 100 years ago, a small group of Fairmount College alums formed the alumni association. Since then, the association has remained strong because of its influential members. However, future growth is dependent on retaining existing members and continually recruiting new ones.
Although every graduate of WSU is an alum, only those who sign up and pay dues are counted as members of the organization and given access to the exclusive benefits offered by the alumni association and its Wichita State counterparts. In preparation for our Centennial Celebration in 2013, we are focused on membership retention and recruitment.
Thank you for being an alumni association member. Help us sustain the association for another 100 years. Ask your Shocker friends to join. If you are an annual member, consider converting to a Life Membership.
As usual, the association has a full slate of fantastic events planned, so stay tuned. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming alumni event.
Until then, GO SHOCKS!
