Mercer Ambassador Alumni Giving Back
Some students might find it difficult to look past graduation, much less imagine what life will be like as alumni, but Mercer’s Student Ambassador program gives participants the opportunity to connect with graduates and learn the importance of being University supporters and active alumni.
The program, founded in 1983 and managed by the Office of Alumni Services, strives to develop future alumni leadership by introducing its members to graduates of the University at special events, meetings and reunions. Ambassadors share stories about their experiences at Mercer, and alumni are invited to do the same.
Alumni of the program said their experiences as Ambassadors not only taught them more about the University, but also about the importance of Mercer’s alumni and donors.
Alison Alexander, MUS ’04, was an Ambassador for two years. She said that her time in the program taught her the value of being an involved alumna and University donor. She is now a member of the Townsend School of Music Alumni Board and often attends basketball games and Homecoming events. She conducts interviews during scholarship weekends and also gives to the University’s Mercer Fund.
“Through the Ambassador program, I felt connected to the University. It was another way to serve Mercer, and it was a way for me to give back as a student,” said Alexander, who was also a Tift Scholar and a member of the Mercer Singers. “It was neat to see how we, as students, benefited from the giving of others. We were able to see the new music building go up. There are so many things going on in the music school that are happening because of its donors.”
Matt Miller, CLA ’02, said he became an Ambassador because he wanted to tell alumni about the great things happening at their alma mater. “As an Ambassador, I saw first hand how important the relationship between Mercer and its alumni is,” he said. “I wanted to show alumni that things were going well at Mercer. Now, I’m an alumnus, and I give because of what’s going on at Mercer now.”
Miller also said that the Ambassador program showed him that gifts from alumni help Mercer attract the best and brightest students. “I didn’t realize before becoming an Ambassador that alumni donations help offset the cost of students going to school at Mercer,” he said.
Each year, the Office of Alumni Services selects about 30 students for the Ambassador program. The office looks for students who love Mercer and who enjoy talking about their Mercer experience. Ambassadors must also excel academically and have a professional acumen.
Stephanie Hennigan, CLA ’11, and current president of the Mercer Ambassadors, said her experiences in the program have taught her the importance of giving to Mercer. “[Donors] are real people with real families who have real expenses to cover, but they value Mercer enough to give to the programs that I have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy. Even though they’ve graduated, they continue to give back, which is something I will do as an alumna.”
Students are interviewed in the spring and attend training before school starts in August. David Cook, CLA ’01, pictured above, a former Ambassador, offered some advice to current Ambassadors. “Enjoy the trips you take and the people you meet. They are great folks, and they will tell all sorts of stories about their time at Mercer,” he said.