Everyone can brag on grandchildren. I won’t bore you with stories of my wonderful, beautiful granddaughters, but I would like to take a minute to brag on the accomplishments of the Arkansas Alumni Association and, in particular, its staff members.

Last month, at a conference of our fellow professionals from the Southeast and Southwest regions of the country, the alumni association was presented two awards for excellence in our programs. The first, engineered by Carolyn Baltz, Terri Dover and Laurel Draudt, was for involvement of the university faculty and staff in the alumni program. Labeled “Workin’ Like a HOG,” the program enlisted memberships from our campus partners. The resulting success, which included an increase of 40% plus, is important in showing alumni that the folks who work here believe in what we are doing!

The second Award for Excellence was the brainchild of Paul Prewitt, Anthony McAdoo and Elizabeth Underwood. It integrated social media into our 2010 Pride of Arkansas Tour program to better connect you with the stories of other alumni and friends along with each other. Previously, written communications were the primary source for how we shared information with alumni. The internet and e-mails soon became the new wave of communications. However, today social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube have become the preferred method for sharing information, especially among younger alumni. Our outstanding efforts were recognized by our professional colleagues.

The sad part about this news is that two of the creative minds behind these awards, Laurel and Elizabeth, are no longer on the staff. One is in Ann Arbor, MI, while the other heads the UA-Fort Smith Alumni Association. Younger staff moving on has been a factor at this association. We have seen our alumni office “alumni” lead other associations in California and New York. Others have joined alumni staffs at Iowa and Georgia Tech. And, there may be more to come.

The bottom line is that the alumni staff is composed of creative, hard-working, enthusiastic, energetic professionals who are often consulted by other alumni associations. Some have been here 25 years while others have joined us in January. To a person, they are committed to serving you and supporting the efforts of the University of Arkansas.

They publish an award-winning magazine, organize and guide chapters and alumni societies and their volunteers, work with students, administer scholarships, maintain accurate records of all alumni, coordinate alumni tours and athletic road trips, plan events and collect event registrations, produce award winning websites, create printed and electronic event announcements, monitor the financial records, greet visitors and answer telephone inquiries, service the board of directors, administer the alumni recognition program and solicit memberships  They are the most valuable assets of the organization and I am proud of them!