Program allows recent alumni to stay connected

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After all the partying, late-night cram sessions and occasional hazy nights, graduation comes. Life no longer is dictated by class schedules, there are no dorms and no guidance counselors. Simply put, you’re on your own.

Well, you and everyone else like you.

Enter the Young Alumni program. Situated under the umbrella of the MSU Alumni Association, or MSUAA, Young Alumni is MSU’s proactive response to keeping
graduates connected to the university.

“Basically we were losing connection with our students as they graduated,” MSUAA Young Alumni Coordinator Tim Bograkos said.

“What we wanted to do was help current and recently graduated students transition by putting them in contact with established regional alumni.”

The program is open to alumni who are within 10 years of graduation and offers services as well as activities for members to participate in, said Laura Huddas Young Alumni Coordinator for the Charlotte/Piedmont, N.C., area, who graduated from MSU in 2007.

“I think it’s important to stay connected,” she said.

“It gives you a sense of home no matter where you are. You have a common bond … (clubs) could help them get adjusted and then they can branch out from there.”

Huddas said the Young Alumni program has several different activities open to members, which could range from bar crawls to volunteer work.

“We actually have a lot of events,” Huddas said.

“Depending on what season it is, we have get-togethers at one of the MSU bars to watch football or basketball, we have bar crawls, Habitat for Humanity events — pretty much anything you can think of.”

There are more than 130 MSUAA clubs nationwide, with some of the largest located in Chicago and metro Detroit, Bograkos said.

“(Within) our offices we have a career service area guidance, résumé building and help with locating internships around the country,” he said. “We also can provide short-term health insurance.”

Membership isn’t necessarily for everyone though, as it does cost money to join. Anywhere from $20-55 for an annual membership and $400-750 for a lifetime pass.

“I never really considered joining when I graduated,” 2007 MSU graduate Katie Atkins said. “I had a lot of student debt and didn’t find it economical at the time.”

Currently freelancing in Web page and graphic design in the Lansing area, Atkins said the membership benefits she would receive weren’t substantial enough for her to join.

“When I graduated from MSU, I graduated from the bar scene, too,” Atkins said. “My family has season tickets to football and basketball, so I can go to the games.”

Although Atkins said she has seen some membership benefits firsthand since her mother is an MSUAA member, she wouldn’t join even if she left the area.

“I think I would probably maintain (contact with) the friends I have,” Atkins said.

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