Page 31 - Laker Connection Fall 2012

alumni profile
CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
A LIFELONG CONNECTION TO CLAYTON STATE
Founded in 1990, the Alumni Associa- tion has served thousands of alumni and friends over the years, working to prepare a foundation for the future.
“In the formation of the Alumni Association, our main purpose was to promote the cause of higher education and aid and encourage the growth and progress of the University,” says Lanelle LaRue, a charter member of the Alumni Board of Di- rectors, who is also past president and a current member of the Board. “We work to foster beneficial relationships between faculty, students, and alumni in conjunction with cooperative enterprises within
the community.”
The first official meeting of the Alumni Asso-
ciation was on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 1990, as then- Clayton State College President Dr. Harry S. Downs welcomed the school’s first Board of Directors into service. James Jernigan, an alumnus from the Class of 1978, was the group’s first president.
Twenty-two years, 10 alumni presidents and many dedicated board members later, the Associa- tion continues its commitment of dedicated service to the University. Meetings of the Alumni Board of Directors are open to the public, and the Board con- venes on the second Wednesday of every other month in the Spivey Board Room of the Harry S. Downs Center.
Currently the Alumni Association plays an active role in reconnecting with graduates by spon- soring alumni events, such as Homecoming and the Alumni Dinner, as well as giving back to academic programs and supporting scholarships, such as the organization’s own Benita Harris Moore Alumni Scholarship.
Over the last 20 years, Clayton State alumni have provided thousands of dollars and volunteer hours, helping many students reach their dream of obtaining a college degree. And, thanks to the dedi-
cated support of our alumni, even more dreams will be realized in the future, as more graduates than ever before made a gift to the Clayton State University Foundation in 2011/12. Through our alumni support, the University empowers students to achieve great things as graduates.
Alumni board members
Within the next year, a new and exciting pro- gram will be initiated under the leadership of current Alumni President Ben Hopkins. The Alumni Asso- ciation is working to develop an alumni mentorship program, which will allow our alumni the chance to engage with Clayton State students and help them in their maturation from being a Clayton State student to a graduate.
In building that lifelong relationship with Clayton State students and graduates, current board member and past president of the Clayton State Alumni Association Dina Swearngin says, “I want every student to feel as though they are a part of this campus from the first day... and on the last to rec- ognize that Clayton State changed their life. Whether it is fond memories of the lakes, a financial gain due to the degree itself, our national championship in women’s basketball, or a lifelong network of friends and supporters – Clayton State will be part of me for- ever.”
__ Gid Rowell
I want every student to feel as though they are a part of this campus from the first day... and on the last to recognize that Clayton State changed their life... Clayton State will be part of me forever.”
- Dina Swearngin
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