The Lion Diplomats, Student Alumni Association, is the cadres of approximately 40 student leaders who are the spirit of alumni relations volunteer efforts on the campus; the students work to continually promote alumni involvement on campus and promote a spirit of commitment to the college through volunteerism and service to the college and local community.

Objectives:

The student alumni organization has adopted the National SAA/SF Network Mission Statement and the group upholds that statements vision as its criteria for success. The specific goals and objectives of the SAA vary from academic year to year, however, the singular theme of “formulating a lifetime commitment to alma mater” runs throughout.

The specific objectives are clear and consistent. Primarily, the group attempts to involve alumni in life of the campus community, while adding student participation in alumni programming. This primary objective is realized through our Alumni Association committee structure, which includes SAA leadership on each major campus alumni event committee. Four significant on-campus events are planned and hosted by the Lion Diplomats, SAA, including: Homecoming, Alumni Recognition & Reunion Day, Senior Mystery Celebration and Alumni Olympics. In each case, a planning committee of student association members and alumni association members are the organizational force; furthermore, a more diverse group of Lion Diplomats make up the implementation committee for the events. The committee structure is complex yet highly effective.

Secondarily, and often more visibly, the Lion Diplomats work to form a thread of spirit, which weaves throughout the campus community. Lion Diplomats host Pep Rallies, plan Faculty and Administration Appreciation Days, and place planning. Second, the Lion Diplomats also have representation in the leadership Board of the Alumni Association and actively participate with that group of alumni. Third, the students have enjoyed a very high profile with the greater alumni body because of their significant role in on-campus alumni programming. The students are consistently found on the “front line” of every campus event, serving as greeters, hosts, assisting registration, etc. Again, the campus constituents (students, faculty, staff) are the everyday beneficiaries of the good-will programs of the Lion Diplomats, and the alumni population grows more and more aware of their commitment with each subsequent program.

Resources:

The organization receives funding through a variety of sources. As a volunteer arm of the Alumni Relations Department, the major alumni programs are supported by the alumni department budget (e.g.: Homecoming, Alumni Day, Oozeball, Alumni Olympics and Senior Celebration), and as a recognized campus organization, the group receives funding for more their autonomous programming (Faculty Day, Block Party, Spirit Days, Pep Rallies, Dances, Conferences, etc.) Lastly, the organization has a fundraising arm, which generates over $5000 annually to support additional endeavors. The Director of Alumni Relations serves as advisor and assists in monitoring and facilitating all aspects of the organization. Other campus departments provide leadership and training for auxiliary efforts (Annual Giving Phonation, Admissions Services and Career Planning programs, etc.)

Response:

Campus response has been in chorus of approval and support. Testimonials may be added by all the aforementioned departments, and even others including: “Good Will” signs throughout the campus for all sports teams, performing arts groups and other organizations (i.e. “Albright WISHES Good Luck to the Women’s Badminton Team as the Go for the Eastern Regional Finals!”). The group hosts an annual Block Party in conjunction with a home baseball double-header with the goal of increasing student support for a traditonally low-spectator sport. Besides spirit signs across campus, the group also promotes “show your colors day,” “Pallestra Night” for basketball season, spirit week, and many more booster activities of the like.

Thirdly, and certainly as important, the Lion Diplomats have grown to be recognized as the leading organization for campus/community service. Whether ushering at choir concerts or plays, or helping raise money for the campus Dance Marathon, Albright service is one role the organization holds most highly. The Lion Diplomats serves as leading volunteer service corps in the annual Alumni Phonathon, as volunteer Admissions Tour guides and Phone callers for Prospective, hosts for campus career fairs, and even volunteer letter-stuffers, sign-hangers, event-greeters, and the list goes on.

Audience/Constituents:

The Lion Diplomats obviously serve the student body of Albright in many ways intangible and tangible. The students also serve the alumni population multi-dimensionally. First, the Lion Diplomats serve their alumni (graduates SAA) members very actively, involving those former student members in many of their programs. As well, through the Diplomat newsletter, the organization communicates the status of its program to all campus and alumni constituents. An annual organization banquet will be helping celebrate the fifth year anniversary: the organization has planned a major reunion for their alumni members/mentors. Each individual alumni member has been used in some volunteer capacity: admission recruiting programs, alumni career network, or alumni event Public Relations Department, the Student Activities Office (which supervises campus organizations), and obviously students, faculty, administration, and staff. A multitude of thank you notes and letters are on file from many facets of the community. Scores of thanks from coaches benefiting from the spirit committee efforts, faculty members thanking for the recognition, and students appreciating the survival kits from their parents. In our fifth year, positive results are already realized, and if nothing more, the campus has recognized a bonded relationship that one may develop with one’s alma mater. The Lion Diplomats are serving as a catalyst for students and alumni alike, fostering spirit of pride, commitment and service!

More Detailed Results:

Service:

Alumni Phonathon (annual activity involving nearly all 40 members)

Alumni Career Programs (committee of eight serves as liaison with career department programs throughout the year)

Spirit (committee of seven which implements spirit signs campaign, colors days, Palestra Night, Block Party, and misc. P.R. i.e. buttons, t-shirts, etc.)

Admissions (nearly all members serve as tour-guides for spring and fall open houses, and 10-15 members complete a prospective student phonathon)

Appreciation Days (Faculty/Administration/Staff thank you programs annually)

Miscellaneous (ushers for Concerts, Plays, Events, perform Coat-Check, serve refreshments, etc. for major campus, alumni and community programs)

Events:

Homecoming Weekend (assist in a phases of planning and implementation of weekend)

Alumni Recognition and Reunion Weekend (assist in all phases of planning and implementation of weekend)

Alumni Olympics (plan and host this major event autonomously)

Senior Mystery Celebration (serve as host committee, plan and implement this event on behalf of entire Alumni Association)

Organization:

Fundraising (raise funds for variety of organizational endeavors)

Publicity (support efforts of all organizational activities by generating campus and alumni publicity; creates and distributes membership brochures and membership lists)

Newsletter (generates an organizational newsletter for distribution to staff across campus, to all student and alumni members, and other important constituents)

Membership (generates applications for membership and completes the application and interview process which selects the new members – this year over 60 applications for no more than 10 seats on the selective Association)

Retreat (an organizational weekend for leadership training, and education about the goals of the SAA and about Institutional Advancement)

Executive Board and Leadership (form approximately 40 members, five officers serve as executive leadership of organization, however twenty-five different individuals serve in committee leadership roles)

New Projects (currently being implemented):

Peace Day (a major campus event in conjunction with Alumni Weekend involving panels of alumni speaking on issues relating to Peace in our world…the Peace Day is part of the major college cultural calendar and will conclude with a community dinner with entertainment by a New Age band)

Freshman Directory and Handbook of Traditions (for the next freshmen orientation program, the SAA will be producing the frosh directory for the public relations office, and adding a “traditions and history” front section)

Community Service Project (for this spring, the members will host teens from the children’s Home of Reading for a Saturday of activities)

top of page