North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's chancellor was eager to report that alumni contributions reached an all-time high in 2008.
For the 2007-2008 academic year, it was reported that a monumental $1.6 million was donated by A&T alumni; despite the slight decline in the number of donors who have contributed in comparison to previous years, according to the 2008 Chancellor's Report.
"A good AGGIE is a giving AGGIE," stresses Martina E. Chavis, senior development officer of the Department of Development and University Relations.
Though this amount is growth, there is still work to be done. Only 12 percent of alumni gave in the year of 2006-2007 and only 14 percent gave last year. As a historically black university and with the State of North Carolina only providing 28.2 percent of the funds needed to provide public education, the 2008 Chancellor's Report shows that it is imperative that AGGIE alumni support their alma mater.
A&T has developed different measures to help gain alumni support. AGGIE call centers have been established so that Monday thru Thursday students call alumni to ask for donations. Seven alumni chapters have been set up in many major cities and regions throughout the United States and e-mails are sent on major holidays and birthdays of alumni.
Even with all of these ways that engage alumni, it is still imperative that the university gain more support. There was an increase in tuition and fees by almost $1,200 that hit students' pockets directly for the 2009-2010 academic year according to an article written last year in the A&T Register. At the same time, professors are continuously being laid off and there are fewer and fewer sections of courses offered.
The solution: Engage alumni to the point that they feel important, involved, and connected to their alma mater.
Sophomore business major, Porche Millington, says, "there should be more programs set up to allow alumni to give back. Once you graduate from the university does not mean that you graduate from the AGGIE family." She plans on being an active alumni of A&T after graduation.
Senior marketing major, Vaughn Davis, does not feel alumni support either. He agrees that there should be more opportunities for alumni to give back, but he understands why they do not. "It's the American way to think about 'self' first. It is only natural that graduates choose not to be affiliated with the university. They have been here for four years; when it's time to leave, it is definitely time to go."
Chavis thinks that not encouraging students to become active alumni after graduation is also damaging to the university. "Students must understand that education costs more than they pay. They must understand that college, in general, and A&T specifically, is not a right. A&T is a privilege that does not have to be here for the next generation."
A&T must make sure that students leave proud and content with the education that they have received from this institution. It is in the best interest of everyone to ensure that A&T stays here.
Chavis strongly believes that if all students, faculty, and staff are active and the importance of giving are stressed while they attend or work at A&T, then it will effect the relationship that the alumni have with the university. It will be impossible not to catch AGGIE PRIDE!
Martina E. Chavis
Senior Development Officer
Development and University Relations
North Carolina A&T State University
1601 East Market Street
Greensboro, North Carolina 27411
(336) 334-7600
e-mail: mechavis@ncat.edu
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