University of Southern Indiana

USI Alumni Association

Issue 8: December 2003
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Alumni and Volunteer Services

When the switch is flipped and the lights on the holiday tree in the Orr Center are glowing for the Lighting a Tradition event, the Student Alumni Association, one of the many programs of the Office of Alumni and Volunteer Services, can take pride in the 14-year tradition.

The staff of USI Alumni and Volunteer Services is dedicated to building community, from left: Debbie Schmuck, senior administrative assistant; Nancy Johnson, director; and Trisha Kennedy, former assistant director.

This year Lighting a
Tradition is planned
for 4 p.m. December
7. Featuring the USI
Madrigal Singers as
well as Santa
photos with children,
the event brings
students,
employees, alumni,
and members of the
community together
in the holiday spirit.

Building community
among these
constituencies is
what drives
programming in the
Office of Alumni and
Volunteer Services.

Nancy Johnson,
director, said the office strives to keep alumni connected to the University. Alumni and Volunteer Services has organized three alumni chapters, offers an e-mail newsletter to alumni, maintains a Web site, and offers a variety of services and programs to engage alumni.

Katie Valadares, LINK project coordinator, gives daughter Vivian, who also is the daughter of Dr. Kevin Valadares, assistant professor of health services/administration, a lift as the youngster examines children's gifts at USI's annual Lighting a Tradition.

With the addition of
the Class of 2003,
the University has
19,400 alumni since
the first graduating
class of 1971. Of
that number, 66
percent remain in
the southern
Indiana area.

Through the efforts
of Debbie Schmuck,
senior administrative
assistant, the office
maintains computer
files of alumni.

Schmuck compiles
information for USI
Magazine's "Alumni
Today," which
alumni consider the
"must read" section
of the publication. Another of her tasks is to mail alumni parents a USI t-shirt for a newborn, for which she receives many cards and messages of thanks.

The office also offers career resources for current students. Previous Assistant Director Trisha Kennedy has assembled more than 200 alumni who are available as part of the career resource network.

Freshman and sophomore students can visit the workplace through Day on the Job, when the office matches students with alumni to observe and discuss mutual career interests. Juniors and seniors are offered the Career Mentor Program to help facilitate the student's professional job search.

"We invite faculty and staff who interact with students with career concerns to encourage the students to come to the office to learn about these programs," Kennedy said. "Alumni have stepped forward willing to help with resume assistance, mock interviews, job shadowing, and other career information."

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