No Need to Wait to Start Thinking Like an Alum By Robby Larson, Director of Alumni Relations
The second principle in author Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is to "Begin with the End in Mind." This simple encouragement to set goals is intended to help us achieve our desired outcomes in life. In many cases, merely visualizing the completion of an undertaking is enough to propel a person to succeed.
At George Fox, most of our students begin their academic careers with an end in mind - specifically, their college graduation. They proudly claim their graduation year ('07, '08, '09, or '10), and as that date draws near, many begin a daily countdown. I am sure that somewhere on campus this spring's tally has already begun. As a George Fox parent, you probably have this particular "end" in mind as well.
In the alumni office, we look forward to graduation for a different reason, as it symbolizes the beginning of your student's alumni experience. Our sincere hope is that your student will have a strong desire to stay connected to George Fox long after graduation. To create this meaningful bond, our work starts from the time students arrive. This is why we think of our students as future George Fox graduates. We even identify them as "Alumni in Residence" after only one year of full-time enrollment. We also strive to introduce them to longstanding university traditions and involve them in events planned by our Student Alumni Council. If the alumni office waits for graduation before making these important connections, we have missed the best opportunity to create a rewarding lifelong relationship.
I like Covey's charge to "begin with the end in mind." It provides us with direction and guidance. And yet, I can't help but feel that a constant focus on the end will cause us to miss the journey there. Personally, I love graduation and can't wait to welcome your student into the Alumni Association; but, I also don't want your student to miss out on the incredible student experience that George Fox University provides.
My hope is that your student takes advantage of the many opportunities that this university offers to students, including those provided by Alumni Relations. If they do, they will develop a deep love of their alma mater, making graduation more satisfying and a lifelong relationship with George Fox more fulfilling. What an end that would be!
This page was last updated 3-28-2008 20:37:33.
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