WSSU Young Alumni Council
The Young Alumni Council 120-Hour Giving Campaign
Thank you for lead foundational gifts. Now we need more donors to contribute. The size of the gift is far less important than your participation. Get on Board Now!
96 Hour Update - 24 More Hours to Give.
The Young Alumni Council was featured in the latest Chancellor’s Annual Report:
WSSU graduates from 2000 through 2009 represented one-third of the university’s alumni. Yet, these are the alums that are just getting started in jobs and often are paying back student loans, so they may think there isn’t anything they can do to help their alma mater. In an effort to make a difference, Jonathan Murray and Marques Johnson suggested creating a WSSU Young Alumni Council to encourage this group to recognize that even small amounts of money can make a difference for the school if enough people participate. Using Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media, the Young Alumni Council is reaching out to share tips for career-building, financial planning and other areas of personal development while encouraging the financial support of WSSU.
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COMMITTEES
Young Alumni Engagement
- Work with already established WSSU organizations, such as National Alumni Association, athletic support, etc. to effectively stream communication to young alumni.
- Gather data (mailing, jobs, email, and etc) and comments from young alumni through surveys.
- Develop strategies which will assist Rams during their transition from to students to alumni. Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow
- Act as a liaison with current WSSU students.
- Participate in Freshman acceptance meet and greet.
- Engage in high school recruitment with the local chapter in your area
Fundraising
- Establish programs and initiatives to increase alumni giving
- Participate in WSSU telethons, capital campaigns, and other WSSU organization giving campaigns.
- Create a mindset where giving back becomes an expectation
- Devise a patient, stair-step approach towards giving.
Event Planning
- Young Alumni Homecoming reunions.
- Coordinate YAC Alumni events (Young Alumni Day, Young Alumni of the Year, Pass the Baton Award) given to a older alumnus who has laid a foundation for young alumnus
YOUNG ALUMNI COUNCIL LEADERSHIP
Jonathan Murray (‘04)
Co-Chair
Marques Johnson (‘04)
Co-Chair
Candrice Nolan (’08)
Committee Chairwoman
Young Alumni Engagement
Byron Washington (‘05)
Committee Chairman
Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow
Thesha Woodley (’07)
Committee Chairwoman
Events Planning
Harold Thompson (’04)
Committee Member
Andrew Jones (’08)
Committee Member
Tanya Karpeh (’06)
Committee Member
Timothy Pulliam (’06)
Committee Member
Ca’Vette-Latice Buford (‘07)
Committee Member
Ebony Briggs (’05)
Committee Member
Haven Powell (‘09)
Committee Member
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Gregory Hairston (’83)
Director of Alumni Relations
January Smith
Stewardship Coordinator
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TOP TEN THINGS YOUNG ALUMNI CAN DO
10. Help recruit future Rams and encourage a prospective student to visit the campus.
9. Mentor current students.
8. Support WSSU Athletics. Attend and show your RAM PRIDE!
7. Attend a WSSU Young Alumni Council event in your area, and take a fellow RAM with you.
6. Update your mailing address, email address, job information, birth of children, etc. by visiting the WSSU Alumni Relations website or call 336-750-2125.
5. Stay educated about WSSU, share what you know with others.
4. Visit the campus. Wear WSSU Ram Scarlet and/or display WSSU paraphernalia at home or work.
3. Visit the WSSU Alumni Relations website and join our Facebook page.
2. Join the WSSU National Alumni Association.
And the Number One Thing WSSU Alumni Can Do . . .
1. Make an annual gift to WSSU. Every gift regardless of size, helps.
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YOUNG ALUMNI COUNCIL EVENTS
Young Alumni Council Panel Discussion
Become a Polished Professional
The WSSU Young Alumni Council hosted a panel discussion for current students. The event took place February 25th in the RJ Reynolds Building. The moderators and panel for the event included WSSU alumni. The moderators for this activity were Tanya Karpeh ’06 and Tim Pulliam ’06. The panelists were Ta’Jaun Mills ’06, Stephanie Robinson ’06, Nicole Ferguson ’04, Byron Washington ’05, Marques Johnson ’04 and Jonathan Murray ’04.
The purpose of the event was to provide some insight on the tools and techniques required in “Becoming a Polished Professional”.The discussion began with the moderators providing four pre-selected questions to the panel for responses. Each panel member participated in this segment, which led to lively follow-up discussions. Student attendees took notes and later asked questions during the open forum. Advice shared during the discussion included:
- Never burn your bridges
- Be truthful when discussing skills and abilities with potential employers
- While networking, make sure to allow persons to talk about themselves
- Develop your Board of Directors (four to five trusted advisors)
- Write out a five to ten year plan
- Develop a positive credit history when enrolled with very limited debt
