Rio Grande Activates Alumni Council

RIO GRANDE, Ohio – The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College has formed an Alumni Council to provide guidance and oversight for its Alumni Association in support of the institutional mission.

The 12-member Alumni Council seeks to serve and promote Rio Grande to all of its constituents by developing and maintaining strong, lifelong relationships between the alumni body and the institution.

“Students are the primary focus at Rio Grande, and that commitment extends beyond graduation, as alumni are part of the Rio family for life,” Rio Grande President Michelle R. Johnston, Ph.D., said. “The Alumni Council provides a unified voice for our entire Alumni Association, and will strengthen the bonds that are key to a strong future for Rio. I hope an overwhelming sense of pride and appreciation encourages our graduates to stay involved and invested.

“A Rio Grande education promotes successful lives, careers and responsible citizenship,” President Johnston continued. “The impact on our communities and the lives of our students is our measure of success.”

The duties of the council are to: maintain and update alumni records; promote communication with and interaction among alumni and Rio Grande; highlight the achievements of alumni; build public awareness of the excellent educational, athletic, cultural and social opportunities available at Rio Grande; assist in recruiting quality students; and to encourage and commit ongoing financial support to ensure long term growth and success of Rio Grande.

The Alumni Council currently features eight members, each carefully selected based on various criteria. Some of the factors considered were current Alumni Association involvement, philanthropic engagement and overall Rio Grande promotion.

Council members include: Bradley Altier, 2013 Chemistry graduate and Associate Chemist at Sasol Chemicals (USA) LLC living in Louisiana; Meagan Barnes, 2001 Communications and Public Relations graduate and Vice President of Marketing and Development & Port of South Point Manager at Superior Marine Ways, Inc; Jeff Fowler, 1987 Education graduate and History teacher at South Gallia High School; Sabrina Hurt, 2013 Music Comprehensive graduate and Rio Grande Financial Aid Advisor; Jane Johnson, 1971 Education graduate and retiree living in Oregon; Lenard Longo, 1963 Education graduate, retiree and former Archon Alumni President; Randar Luts, 2000 Finance graduate serving on King Kutter, Inc. Board of Directors in Alabama; and Mary Pierce, 1967 Education graduate, retiree and University Board of Trustee.

Director of Alumni Relations Annette Ward also serves on the Alumni Council as a non-voting member to act as a liaison between the council and the Rio Grande administration.

“This will be a very active and influential group at Rio Grande. Its important that the council be made up of people the Alumni Association wants,” Ward said. “This council will be instrumental in helping Rio Grande move forward into a new era of prosperity and success.”

The Alumni Council held its first meeting in September, and is schedule to meet next on Nov. 5 in order to select its final four members. Those who wish to be considered, or recommend another, are encourage to contact the Alumni Council through the Alumni Relations Office at [email protected].

Council members serve three-year terms with the ability to serve two consecutive terms. Additional terms are permitted following a one-year hiatus. Each year the council will elect four alumni to serve. The initial class membership will be determined by lottery once the council if filled.

Officer positions also will be filled upon completion of the council. Those positions will include President, Secretary, Treasurer and Representative, who reports to the Rio Grande Board of Trustees’ Institutional Advancement Committee. The council President also will serve as President of the Alumni Association.

One of the council’s first acts of business will be to establish a Student Alumni Council comprised of current Rio students.

“There has never been an opportunity to engage students and alumni strategically,” Ward said. “The idea is to teach current students what it means to be an alumnus, forge mentorship opportunities and begin building those lifelong networks from the first moment a student steps onto campus.”

Rio Grande’s Alumni Association formerly had an Alumni Board, which was disbanded in 2013. Trustee and current council member Mary Pierce served as the final president of the Alumni Board.

“The Alumni Council will serve to build a stronger connection between the internal campus and external alumni, as well as all Rio Grande constituents,” Pierce said. “Each alumnus is an ambassador, and we need to make sure they’re equipped to share our success stories. Rio Grande is a place that changes lives and makes a difference on a global scale.”