Students Connect to Alumni at Howard Hall

The Howard University Alumni Association (HUAA) and the Student Trustees held the second annual “Project Connect” last night at Howard Place.

Minutes after the event began, more seats had to be added to the original 30 in order to accommodate people lining the walls and spilling into the hall.

Several alumni shared their stories and provided information about alumni relations and HUAA during a question and answer period. Students were then given the opportunity to network with the panelists and other alumni in attendance.

Project Connect, according to a HUAA media release, is designed to connect alumni with current students, educate them about life after college, expose them to HUAA and provide the opportunity for networking and mentorship.

“This is to help get you to join us and we’re not just asking for your money, but your time, knowledge and your skills,” Kesi Stribling, HUAA public relations chair and panelist said.

HUAA President Mwalimu Sandra Brown said HUAA “exists to support Howard University -- no individual, no particular group, but the institution.”

The project was started last year in an effort to link students and alumni. Undergraduate Trustee Jabari Smith said one of his biggest goals of the year was to maintain the relationship the student trustees and HUAA began to construct last year when the student trustees became voting members of the HUAA executive committee.

 “I knew this was something I had to carry out so the partnership could be maintained,” Smith said.

He added, “Service to your university is something that continues after commencement. You should be dedicated to contributing to the university because the investment is really a lifetime investment.”

Panelists were able to provide students with a variety of insights. Lt. Col. Michael Collins graduated in 1969, was involved in Campus Pals, The Bison, the ROTC Drill Team and ended his undergraduate collegiate career as Howard University Student Association president. Collins was also a part of the student coalition that took over the Administration building in 1968.

“It’s great to see the activism. I was here during the activism era,” Collins said. He said he was able to maintain a good relationship with the University through trials and tribulations because all action taken by the University is done so out of a  “tough love” approach.

Aprille Ericsson, Ph.D., a Howard alumna and panelist, also said love for the University is what should drive students to give back, while Stribling continued to encourage students to contribute assets other than money to the University.

“This event was very necessary, having gone to a majority school for undergrad where from the moment you step on the grounds the alumni association is active,” said Whitney Jordan, a second year law student.

Freshman psychology major Jericho Duroche said that the information was interesting and usable. He commended the panelists for sharing their time.

“[The] problem is that people who would come to this would be more likely to give back anyways,” Jordan said.

She said that the HUAA should make efforts to be present at other events more students would be present for to provide a broader depth of what’s going on.