TIFTIN KIDDER/ Scroll
A map located in the Alumni Association’s office shows the number of alumni ambassadors in each different state.

Staying connected

Alumni Association maintains contact with former students

by Allison Walker WAL04015@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

Although the homework piles on and time seems to move too slowly, our time at BYU-Idaho will be over.

Even though the title now may be “freshmen,” it will someday change to “alumni;” when BYU-I will only be accessible in retrospection, but reflected in every aspect of daily life.

College years are pivotal in the lives of most — a time that determines characters, abilities, goals and directs many of life’s most important decisions.

It’s hard, as current students, to step back and see the importance of this time and the changes that inevitably come.

But through contact with alumni, students can learn of the benefits, great opportunities and life-changing processes that are the result of enrollment at BYU-I.

This connection is set up between the many alumni and BYU-I through the BYU-Idaho/Ricks College Alumni Association.

Located off-campus on Main Street, an entire office of workers is dedicated to keeping in contact with alumni all over the world.

Steve Davis, director of the Alumni Association, said that the association has two main goals.

“The first is to keep track of about 150,000 alumni . . . and the second is to help students to transition from student to alumnus,” he said.

Staying connected with so many people provides a challenge, but there are several ways the association accomplishes this goal. The first is through Summit, a bi-annual publication informing alumni of important events and school news.

The second is through a network of alumni ambassadors. Ambassadors are assigned to different districts throughout the country and help to keep local alumni informed about the school.

They also keep the association updated on its constituents and help recruit students to BYU-I.

“I’ve just been an informant to let [prospective students] know how BYU-Idaho is an awesome place to be,” Becky McOmber, an ambassador in Texas, said. She wants other students to have the opportunity she did.

“[BYU-Idaho] was where I came into my own and it was amazing,” McOmber said. “I realized my potential and that I could go places I wanted to go. People believed in me and I blossomed.”

Third, a new online system is being established to help current and future alumni stay connected electronically.

This online communication system, Alumni Connections, can help past and present students stay connected with roommates, ward members and others. It also serves as a directory and has places to post favorite college memories.

Another reason for the Alumni Association’s existence is to preserve the “Spirit of Ricks.”

“We would love students of this great alumni to come to BYU-I,” Val Carpenter, alumni relations officer, said.

Many alumni’s children are currently attending BYU-I. “Mothers’ Weekend is a time when more alumni come back than any other time, and we invite them all to come visit the alumni center and also make sure their information is up-to-date,” Davis said.

The Alumni Association doesn’t just deal with graduates, current students are also involved in the Student Alumni Association (SAA).

“Student Alumni prepares them to be involved afterward as alumni ambassadors,” Davis said.

A main focus of the Student Alumni Association is the Student Legacy Fund.

“Raising money from students for students in emergency situations,” Carpenter said. “It’s a fund for students with emergencies to use rather than drop out or go into debt.”

The SAA is also involved in other service activities and helping facilitate awareness on campus.