Building for the future

By: Kelli (Nipple) Knisley BA '00

Anderson University has been a place where great ideas have been created and wonderful things have been accomplished. On top of all of that, AU is a place where priceless relationships have begun and been renewed.

With the next year ahead of us, I ask you as alumni to reflect on what we can do to give back to the university, to each other, and to current and potential students. Many times we think we have to create a new program, a new event, or a new idea, only to realize that there are plenty of good things in place and we have stretched ourselves too thin.

So with next year in front of us, I have challenged the alumni council, and now extend that challenge to you, to focus on what is the best way to use our skills, time, and resources. I certainly believe we can plug into some existing activities here on campus.

For example, get involved in one of the three alumni Tri-S trips. Travel with an alumni choral group to Europe or South America. Or take a Baltic Cruise with other alumni. For more information on these trips contact the Tri-S office at (765) 641-4173. Come back to Homecoming. Support the students at the street fair and at the different athletic competitions. Renew friendships you developed as students through social clubs, student government, small groups, and athletic teams. Network with other alumni in your field of study. Get connected with other alumni and current students by joining the mentoring program. For more information on the mentoring program contact the Alumni Office at (765) 641-4100. Lend a helping hand by volunteering in the Alumni Office on campus or hosting an Alumni event in your community.

Wonderful things are yet to come. Great ideas are yet to be thought of. Lifelong relationships will be created and renewed in the next year. So I invite you to join the alumni council in getting involved on campus this coming year. Hope to see you around campus.