Alumni Assemble: A message from outgoing Association President Chantelle Aaron

Dear Fellow Alumni,

For those of you who did not have the opportunity to read my introduction at the beginning of the council year, I feel I need to do a recap. I am a true fan of the University and also a fan of Marvel comics, so I’d like to think of myself as this year’s Nick Fury of UL Lafayette. Along with the staff, the Board has assembled a team of individuals with special abilities. S.H.I.E.L.D., an espionage agency in Marvel Comics, referred to the program as the Avengers Initiative, but I like to refer to it as the Alumni Initiative. How fitting that Avengers: End Game is in theaters at the end of my term.

As the leader of the Alumni Initiative, we have focused on helping volunteers identify their superpower. We have also instituted strategies to help club and chapter leaders be more successful, including a Facebook group for the exchange of ideas and Facebook live broadcast of the Fall Leadership breakout sessions and Spring Council Meeting. I have enjoyed the many opportunities I’ve been afforded this year to meet with alumni at local chapter and regional club events, as well as Homecoming events such as Paint the Town Red, the Outstanding Alumni Reception and Open House. This year’s Homecoming was a historic event as the first Homecoming King was crowned and I was thrilled to participate in that momentous occasion.

We also made efforts to engage the community by expanding the Red Dot Discount Program. Please contact the Alumni Association office if you manage or own a business that would like to participate in offering discounts to alumni and students.

Alumni scholarship recipient selections are underway for current students who have completed at least 90 hours of coursework. We truly want to impact the lives of our students. To further make a difference for our future alumni, a letter-writing campaign is underway. Alumni are contacting incoming freshman students to give insight into the university experience, how UL Lafayette impacted their lives, and encouragement and direction. If you would like to be a part of this process, please sign up here. We ask that all participants write at least five letters. You can even choose the demographics of students you would like to contact (a freshman from your home town, students in the same field of study, students who live in the city you currently reside in, etc.).

You still have time to join our Alumni Initiative. We would love to have you as a part of our team. Please consider allowing us to benefit from the knowledge you have to offer.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not show appreciation to the persons who helped make this year so enjoyable: Alumni Association staff, board and council members, and my family and friends. My personal Avengers team is amazing and the support of my family and friends helped me to be able to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I have truly enjoyed my time serving the Association and I look forward to continuing to serve wherever needed. After all, superhero movies always have a sequel and a great movie continues to live on in our memories.

Sincerely,

Chantelle Aaron, ‘95
College of Education, Exercise Science

Photo: Chantelle Aaron '95 attends the 2019 Spring Gala as the emcee for the night.