The new Student Alumni Association was established this fall semester, in hopes of allowing students to cultivate pride for the University, network with alumni, and become more involved with the college experience. The new Student Alumni Association will host an informational session at 4 p.m., Sept. 21, in the Alumni Room of the Jot Travis Student Union.

Lindsey Harmon, Alumni Relations coordinator, established the association with the help of Student Alumni Association president Chris Driscoll. When Harmon got wind of the existence of a previous student alumni organization on campus, she revived the idea.

"The association is carrying on the tradition of the University," Harmon said. "It's also a way of bridging the gap between students and alumni."

Harmon represents the Alumni Association, under which the Student Alumni Association operates. She oversees and advises the student leaders within the organization.

"The Student Alumni Association is student-guided," Harmon said.
Driscoll hopes the association will become involved in various organizations on campus to foster tradition.

"I hope we can work with the Associated Students of the University of Nevada or Wolf Pack Athletics," Driscoll said. "We want to let our members be in involved with the campus community in as many ways possible."

The Student Alumni Association plans activities with important campus events like Mackay Week and Homecoming to familiarize members with various pastimes.

Apart from the opportunity to participate in campus events, members can partake in "Dinner with a Pack of Wolves," in which alumni host a home-cooked meal and associate with students. This gives students the chance to network with alumni for employment or internships.

"The alumni often link members up with someone in the professional field," Driscoll said. "The students can really tap into the benefits of the Student Alumni Association."

The Student Alumni Association serves as a transition between being a student and being alum. Both Driscoll and Harmon hope being a member and enjoying the college experience will inspire the students to come back as active alumni and contribute to their alma mater.

"As an alum, you can work with a student who was in the same position you were," Driscoll said. "It can be really gratifying to be involved in something that will last longer than you."