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1, 2001 ASU alumni give support, share advice with freshmen The Arkansas State University Alumni Association brings incoming students and alumni together each August to welcome students to campus and the ASU family, and to share advice and experiences. The Alumni Association initiated "Watering Hole" and Send-off Parties several years ago. The successful events give current students a chance to meet alumni and see how their relationship with the university continues after graduation. Beth Smith, director of alumni relations, said she and her staff were searching for a better way for alumni to connect with students when they developed the events. "We were trying to find a way to help students move in to residence halls at the beginning of each fall semester," Smith said. "John Phillips, one of our Alumni Association members from Walnut Ridge, suggested that we provide refreshment for students and their families as they move in. Watering Hole has turned out to be a wonderful outreach project." Arkansas State University has a designated move-in day each August, and alumni volunteers are on hand at each ASU residence hall entrance to provide ice-cold ASU Alumni Association bottled water for students and their family members. Each year alumni give away approximately 60 cases of water, according to event coordinator June Morse. Placing alumni in contact with students and their families has several benefits, according to Smith and Morse. "Watering Hole gives us an opportunity to reconnect with alumni when they’re back on campus bringing their child to school here. It’s a good way for parents who are alums to realize that the Alumni Association is active, serving our students. We also let students know that there is something for them at ASU beyond graduation," Smith said. "Our volunteers who have participated with Watering Hole in the past love it, and generally come again. It’s a great way to greet kids and their parents," Morse said. The group of volunteers is usually 40 strong, and serves two-hour shifts. Morse noted that alumni volunteers often bring family members and children to the event, which is another way future students are exposed to a university setting. Before incoming freshmen pack their bags to leave for school, Alumni Association members share their experiences from their time at ASU with the new students and welcome students to the ASU family. The Central Arkansas Chapter of the Alumni Association hosted the first Send-off Party three years ago. Due to the overwhelming success, the parties have increased as well as the number of student and alumni participants. The parties allow students to make contact with other students from their area who will attend ASU and alumni from their area, and involve alumni with current students, according to Molly Phillips, chapter development officer. Based upon the success of the Central Arkansas Send-off Party, the Grand Prairie Chapter and the Boothill Chapter in Missouri now host their own events as well. Students are asked to wear one of their high school shirts, and participating alumni present the new students with an ASU shirt. "Not only do our alumni get to share stories from when they were in school and experiences they had, but they are able to welcome the freshmen to the ASU family," Phillips said. "Nobody ever really forgets what its like to be a freshman on their first day of college, and bringing our alums and current students together will give that excitement back to our alumni. The benefits are really two-fold for our students and alumni." # # # |
 University Communications Office Jonesboro, Arkansas Staff: Tom Moore Straley Snipes Vic Nelson 870-972-3056 fax 870-972-3069 Send mail: ASUnews@astate.edu Links: List of News/Announcements Upcoming Public Events About ASU ASU Home Page |
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