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(From left) David Hoard, vice president for Institutional Advancement and Dr. Steven Smith, alumni director, accept a $5,000 donation from JSU alumnus Lee Frison during 2013 Homecoming Week.
Amazing alumni
JSUNAA named national chapter of the year by bette pearce
W
hen it comes to support, loyalty and love of school, Jackson State University alums are the best in the nation — literally. The JSU National Alumni Association was named National Alumni Association of the Year by the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation Inc. during the foundation’s 28th annual conference Sept. 25-29 in Atlanta. The organization’s extensive involvement in university and community activities and impressive financial support were highlighted. Members’ activities include work with the American Cancer Society, the Mississippi Society of Georgia and Hands on Atlanta. Local alums also play high-profile roles in local food, clothing and blood drives, nonprofit organizations and homecoming events. On the financial front, a fundraising campaign in 2012 brought in $3.2 million for the JSU Excellence Fund. The annual giving campaign’s latest goal is $2 million. Alumni to date have contributed $1.6 million. JSUNAA also established a $100,000 endowed
scholarship with the JSU Development Foundation. Additionally, it offers a tuition waiver for dependent children of out-of-state alumni. The waiver program can save a family in excess of $300,000. To help raise money, JSUNAA hosted its Inaugural Black Tie Scholarship Gala last year. More than 700 people attended. Another gala is scheduled for 2014. Recruitment is another focus of JSUNAA. JSU’s Enrollment Management department provides training for chapter recruitment coordinators. In fact, JSUNAA members represent the university at 90 percent of the college recruitment fairs in metro Jackson. “Chapters also meet and greet thousands of students and parents each year,” said Terry L. Woodard, JSUNAA president. “The association serves as a leader among alumni associations of other universities as it partners with alliances for events, including the annual SWACFest weekend in which all SWAC alumni associations come together in fellowship before becoming staunch rivals in the upcoming football season.”
did you know? JSUNAA’s fundraising campaign in 2012 brought in $3.2 million for the JSU Excellence Fund. It marked the first time in the history of the university that alumni giving topped $1 million within a 12-month period. The annual giving campaign’s latest goal is $2 million.
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