Page 79 - San Angelo

The Angelo State Alumni Association is a relatively young association compared to similar non-proft organizations, but it’s already making progressive changes to connect students and alumni as well as the ASU community and the city which supports it. Through changes in administration and priorities, the Alumni Association is promoting involvement and assimilation across the communities in San Angelo.

Through new avenues of connection, the ASU Alumni Association witnessed a 40% increase in membership in 2010. Kim Hunter, the Executive Director, credits the exponential infux to inventive ideas and a drive to make the association alumni’s home away from home. Now more than ever, the Alumni Association is reaching out through phone calls, emails, and mailers to former members who have slipped through the cracks. Each month, expired members receive renewal mailers to help keep everyone up to date on their annual memberships. In addition to increasing outreach of former members, the Alumni Association has been soliciting feedback on the good, bad, and hopes for the future of alumni life. Another exciting aspect about the increase is the range of people joining. Hunter gushes, “People aren’t only being amazingly more generous, but we have seen an increase of members across all demographics.”

Some of the many contributing factors which supplied an increase in number include an iPad giveaway, development of a new membership level for current students as well as faculty and staff at a prorated cost, one year complementary memberships for ring recipients and new graduates, more out of town chapter events, promotion of Ram Jams and tailgating, Come Study With Us, and Reunion Round Up. Come Study With Us and Reunion Round Up are the perfect examples of new ideas to reach a range of members and supporters. Come Study With Us invites students to come study by the freplace at the LeGrand Center and enjoy free coffee while the Reunion Round Up invites all alumni to fraternize during the Homecoming festivities. The Alumni Association also offers a discounted rate to student organizations to rent out the center.

Ram Jams and tailgating are the Alumni Association’s most consistently attended events because of the family friendly environment, free food, free music, games, giveaways, and Member’s Room. Tracy Cole, an ASU Alumnus, remembers, “My friends and I went to Ram Jam, and there was always something to do. It fowed really well. Plus, the food was great. Basically anytime I’ve gone to an event at the Alumni Association, the food caliber has been positively memorable in comparison to other events at ASU. Plus, the overall event was just fun.” All ages are welcome as well as non-alumni. Kenneth Marks of Midland, TX came to a 2010 Fall Ram Jam with his granddaughter and said, “We felt like we were treated so specially. The food was delicious; the facility was beautiful; and the whole event was family and school spirit oriented. I will defnitely come back again.” Even visitors to San Angelo are enjoying the hospitality and hype of the ASU Alumni Association.