As President of the Alumni Association and the Alumni Governing Board, I am responsible for an organization that dates back to June 1883. Like the first Alumni President, Miss Kate Winn, Class of 1880, my office allows me to welcome graduates into the Association, preside over meetings, and especially encourage alumni members to become active in all areas of the University after graduation. It is a time-consuming position, which I take seriously. However, anything which benefits the alumni or Shorter University would not be accomplished without the help of the Governing Board.
The Alumni Governing Board is a comprised of traditional and College of Adult and Professional Programs (CAPP) graduates from the classes of 1971 to 2011. This diverse group of individuals volunteers their time, energy, talents, and money to benefit Shorter University. Since January, the AGB has met four times on two of Shorter's four campuses addressing the needs of the Alumni and University. Last year, we established Alumni Chapters on each of the three Atlanta campuses. For the second consecutive year, AGB members were present on campus during Freshman Move-In Day to welcome new students and families with information, chilled water and smiling faces. Also, in addition to individual giving, the AGB as a group funds two scholarships annually given to two rising seniors who exhibit leadership qualities. The Alumni Governing Board is always available to the general membership and always listening to everyone's concerns. As a Board, we are active, we are moving forward, and we are a TEAM!
Yes, the Alumni Association and the Governing Board are moving together into a new chapter of Shorter's history with new ideas and additional alumni events being planned for Shorter graduates; however, the goal remains the same: to strive for the very best for Shorter University. Everyone needs to combine talents and efforts to truly become a TEAM -- Together Everyone Achieves More for Shorter University! This is the core purpose of the existence of the Association and especially of the Governing Board.
As President of the Alumni Association, I extend an open invitation to all Shorter University alumni, families and friends to attend the Association's biggest event of the year, Alumni/Homecoming Weekend, September 27-28. This will begin the 50th Year of the Hawk as the school's mascot and the kick-off to a year filled with unbelievable celebrations. Also, this weekend will be a wonderful opportunity to meet other Alumni and also get to know up close and personal the brightest students on the planet. I encourage YOU to put this event on your calendar and be apart of a Shorter tradition that dates back to 1960. It will be a weekend of friends, families, fellowship, food and football as the Alumni Association soars as high as the Hawk in 2013/2014.
See YOU on the Hill!
Vickie Bowen Henry (’71)
Alumna and AGB President
Note: Ms. Henry received a Bachelor of Music from Shorter and a Master of Education from the University of Georgia. She has been a Class Agent for the class of '71 since 1996, an active member of the Alumni Governing Board since 2001, and President since 2010. She received the Distinguished Service Award, Alumni of the Year, in 2007. She and her husband of 40 years, Rev. Reginald Henry, live in Covington, Ga.
