February 13, 2007

Since returning to Athens after its weekend orientation retreat at Rock Eagle in January, the Student Alumni Council hasn't lost its energy. . .maybe just a little free time. February is historically an extremely busy month with regards to Alumni Association student programming, and this past month was nothing different.

SAC wrapped up January with an invitation to the Alumni Leadership Assembly Luncheon in the Tate Student Center on the 27th. Members were not required to work the event, but I would say we did end up working - working the buffet line! Between filling our bellies with delicious sandwiches and soup, we mingled with the leaders of our Alumni Association. It was a wonderful event and I speak for all of the SAC when I say it was well-worth not sleeping until 2 pm that Saturday!

On January 31, the head of our Graduation and Giveaways Committee Mackenzie Cole helped the Alumni Association organize 100 Days to Graduation. The event, held in the Tate Center Plaza, was an all-day celebration that marks the 100th day before graduation. With drawings for prizes from vendors on our discount list, a DJ, a masseuse, snacks, and hot chocolate, seniors were drawn to our celebration with excitement for their "big day in May". Balfour, Senior Signature, and our Senior Class Trip representative were also in attendance.

On February 2, the Alumni Association hosted its Bulldog Sweetheart Cheese and Chocolate Social and Silent Auction in the rotunda of the Student Learning Center. The SAC attended - along with significant others - to help the Alumni Association staff register guests and monitor the silent auction. Although many of the members had their eye on their special someone, the single SAC members had their eye on the chocolate fountain and Mark Richt - or at least his Wheaties box in the silent auction. Every member loved the social and I can say that I never expected to be spend a Friday night at the SLC - but it was well worth it!

Feb. 5-9 was the busiest week for SAC: Ring Week. Altogether, SAC members clocked 60 hours over five days at the Bookstore and the SLC to bring in 170 ring orders and 163 new Student Alumni Association members! This is an increase from the 161 rings sold last Spring - what a great effort by our members!

As I am writing this letter, there is still half of February left! Whew! With meetings to organize proposals for new events on campus, UGA Alumni Night with Men's Basketball, Dinner with a Dozen Dawgs, and our regular membership giveaways at Tate Plaza, the SAC still has a lot left to do. We hope both alumni and students will continue to attend our programs and support the Alumni Association in all its exciting events during the rest of the semester!

Go Dawgs!
Elizabeth Elmore
President of the Student Alumni Council

January 17, 2007

While most students spend their first weekend after winter break catching up with friends, 18 University students gathered at the crack of dawn (that's 8:30 to us!), last Saturday to spend two days entirely dedicated to our Alumni Association. As a University bus filled with a dozen and a half energetic students pulled away from the Wray-Nicholson house, the first annual Student Alumni Council (SAC) orientation retreat was underway! The purpose of the retreat, held at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, was three-fold: brainstorm ideas to improve the Student Alumni Association, form teams to accomplish programming goals, and build a sense of camaraderie among members. This last task would prove to be challenging as our council this year is composed of a diverse group of students. For instance, Kaushlendra Singh is not only a graduate student in engineering, but he is an international student from India. Kristina Summers is the executive director of the ONE Campaign on campus, an organization dedicated to ending poverty around the world. Arthur Lee Tripp, Jr. is a political science major involved in the Student Government Association after realizing he was interested in politics working with his town's mayor and the governor while in high school. Dave Courter plays water polo at the University. Juan Francisco Chia is a pre-med international student from Lima, Peru who has been living in the United States for over a year. The council includes students of all class standings, hometowns, backgrounds, and campus involvement. But by the end of the weekend, the members (as cliché as it is): became one team with one goal - improve our Student Alumni Association.

While attending the orientation, members were introduced to several Alumni Association staff from Athens. Ruth Long, Student Programs Coordinator, led our retreat and facilitated brainstorming discussions while Randy Groomes, Director of Multicultural Programs, presented a PowerPoint about diversity in programming. John Finley, Associate Executive Director of Operations, presented the Alumni Association history along with the importance of SAC to its success. Tami Gardner, Director of Regional Programs and Alumni Tours, 'dissected a leader' in a humorous presentation about what it takes to be a leader. And finally, SAC members were presented with their official Alumni Association polo shirts by Director Debbie Dietzler at lunch on Sunday afternoon. Although the weekend was filled with hard work and brainstorming, teambuilding activities brought a lot of comedy to the retreat. Members were exposed to 'speed dating' on the bus to get to know one another. They played three-legged soccer - with one member blindfolded. They cooked s'mores and told ghost stories - a first time for some members! They played Catch Phrase, a rowdy word game, between meals and activities. In the end, it is impossible to say the weekend was anything but a huge success. SAC members returned to Athens anxious to dive into their responsibilities and put plans in action. I run across them on campus and every time I am bombarded with more ideas and energy! As Ring Week and 100 Days to Graduation approach, the Student Alumni Council is poised and ready to act as liaison between alumni and students. And much of this can be attributed to the Alumni Association sponsorship of the weekend - so a big thank you for a great retreat!

Go Dawgs!
Elizabeth Elmore
President of the Student Alumni Council