Association
wins award
San Diego is home to more than 70,000 San Diego State University alumni.
Current students don’t have to wait until graduation to become involved in alumni activities. For the past two years, students have been given the opportunity to join the Student Alumni Association, which is sponsored by SDSU’s Alumni Association.
“The purpose of the Student Alumni Association is to bring school spirit and unity to campus,” said Andrea Szekrenyi, SAA President and a business senior.
Currently, there are 42 students involved in SAA who were selected to participate in alumni activities. Students must fill out an application and recommendation form to be selected for the group.
Through SAA, students increase awareness of the AA, support AA events and encourage students, faculty and staff to become involved.
“SAA consists of students who care and want to give back to the community,” Szekrenyi said.
This year, SAA won the District VII Outstanding Organization of the Year Award. It was the first year SAA participated in the district conference, which consisted of 14 schools.
In order to apply for the award, SAA developed a document that described their activities throughout the school year. They went to last year’s conference to come up with ideas for the organization.
“A lot of schools in our district are willing to give ideas for the programs,” Szekrenyi said. “It is nice to be able to share and cooperate.”
The Dinner with 12 Aztecs, an event in which students, alumni and faculty network during dinner, came from UCLA’s Dinner With 12 Bruins. SAA also got the idea for the Senior Send-Off during the conference.
Students can sign up in advance to participate in events put on by the SAA such as the Dinner With 12 Aztecs, Adopt-A-Student, Senior Send-Off and GradFest. SAA was also involved in Spring Fiesta, the SDSU Homecoming and the Faculty-Staff Appreciation Breakfast.
The Adopt-A-Student program pairs alumni and students in similar career fields. The alumni attend class with students, take tours of the campus and have lunch with the students.
GradFest gives graduating seniors the opportunity to shop for all of their graduation supplies at one time. The Senior Send-Off program gives graduating seniors and alumni another opportunity to network during a barbecue reception, which also celebrates the start of commencement activities.
All programs are supported and funded by AA. The programs are free of charge.
“We are always looking for people interested in school spirit,” Szekrenyi said.
If you are interested in joining the group or you would like further information on upcoming events, call SAA at 594-0722.
