UPB

There are advantages to being an Alum

A recent issue of the Current included a guest commentary entitled "Alumni Disadvantage." While the author, Gail Rimkus, made some valid observations, she failed to distinguish between problems the University faculty or staff are addressing, difficulties which all students face and must handle with parental or other assistance, and those where alumni are legitimately interested parties. These misunderstandings can be cleared up with the information contained in this letter.
In response to one of the author's points, members of our alumni association do enjoy the benefits of discounts to many on-campus services such as those offered at the School of Optometry, library, Career Services and University Bookstore. However, the real reason alumni join the association is not to receive but to give. . .to give back to the institution that gave us so much.
UM-St. Louis graduates take an approach to their involvement in a manner I call "reverse alma mater." Most graduates could not take advantage of what was available to improve campus life while they attended UM-St. Louis due to family or work responsibilities. Many could not work on the Current staff, join our various on-campus organizations, or socialize with faculty or fellow students. Many attended classes in make-shift rooms, parked on gravel lots, and performed research off-campus because our library was not finished. Their computer assignments were turned in on punch cards produced in dimly-lit computer labs. (Well I'll stop there before I start in on how far they walked through the snow to get to classes!) But years later, these same alums realize that their effort was worthwhile! You'd be amazed to hear the success stories contained in the ranks of our over 56,000 alumni. The Current has highlighted many of our alums; two this semester.
The purpose of our Alumni Association is found in our mission statement, which states in part: enhance the public image of UM-St. Louis, foster a spirit of fraternity among graduates, former and current students, promote and support the professional and personal development of alumni, and to elicit community, political and financial support for the University. This is mainly accomplished through the voluntary efforts of past graduates. We do this through activities (over 50 programs and events were offered last year alone) which include the sponsorship of scholarships, book stipends, the Distinguished Speaker Series, Spirit awards, and new graduate receptions. By the way, this year we've chosen to sponsor the "pep band", missing at last year's basketball games due to departmental budget cuts.
Remember that these efforts are funded and undertaken on a voluntary basis by graduates who "suffered" through the same type of frustrations the student detailed. But, our members live by the spirit embedded in the anonymous quote: "One generation plants the trees, the next sits in their shade." Alumni understand that while their college experience was not ideal, they are better off for the experience.
Some say bad publicity is better than no publicity. However, the misleading headline did not support the article. Yet it did prompt this letter. Hopefully it will generate student interest in the Alumni Association. We want more students to seek us out and take advantage of our programs. Their participation will help make our efforts more rewarding.
And finally, my message to Ms. Rimkus, hang in there! We have all faced the frustrations you are experiencing. You're going to make it! And your investment in education will be repaid many-fold. I applaud you for being active on campus despite your disappointment with certain issues of student life. We look forward to having you become a member of our association after your graduation. Our university will become a better institution with active proponents like you. -David K. Adam (BSBA '81, MACC '93) President, Alumni Association -David K. Adam
(BSBA '81, MACC '93) President, Alumni Association