Winter 1997
|
Winter 1997 |
|
Group strives to build closer `LINK' between students and alumni A new campus organization is working to develop future Rose-Hulman alumni volunteer leaders by increasing the involvement students have with alumni and the alumni affairs staff. "Our goal is to increase student awareness about the alumni association, and the future role they will play as alumni volunteers," says Tony Wellings ('68, ME), director of alumni affairs and special events. Students selected LINK as the name of their new organization. "The letters represent leadership, integrity, networking and kinship," says Eric Kleen, a junior chemical engineering major from Peoria, Ill., who is LINK President. "Giving students more opportunity to help the alumni association will increase involvement between students and alumni. That interaction will benefit both groups," Wellings said. LINK gave a presentation recently to the Rose-Hulman Alumni Association Advisory Board about its plans which include recruiting alumni to participate in a mentoring, job shadow program for current students. LINK members are helping alumni volunteers with Homecoming, and they served as campus hosts for last year's recipients of the Rose-Hulman Distinguished Young Alumni Award. "LINK will provide a great opportunity to find out what it really means to be Rose-Hulman alumni," said Casey Sandow, LINK secretary/treasurer. "I'm learning how alumni help the college," says the junior chemical engineering major from Midland, Mich. "After graduation, I'll definitely be involved helping the alumni association as a result of my LINK experience," Sandow stated. LINK has become affiliated with a national Student Alumni Association/Student Foundation Network that is sponsored by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. "LINK is an excellent leadership opportunity for students," noted Bettie Evinger, assistant director of alumni affairs and special events. "It's not often students get the chance to start a new campus organization," said Evinger, who serves as adviser to LINK along with Wellings. "Rose-Hulman wants to make a lifelong commitment to helping its alumni," Wellings noted. "LINK is one of the starting points of that commitment.".
  |