When senior Tina Foster graduates, she expects to remain an active alumnus, giving not only her time but money.
“It’s important to give back so that the future students have what I enjoyed,” the 23-year-old said.
Many current students profess to feel the same way that Foster does. But after graduation, students often get busy with their new lives and forget about the need to give back.
Winston Salem State University ranks first among historically black colleges in the state when in comes to alumni giving, with almost
10 percent of alumni contributing financially to the university.
At nearby North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University, alumni giving is 8.9 percent, and it’s 2.3 percent at Elizabeth City, according to Gregory Hairston, who works in the advancement office on campus and is a member of the class of ’83.”
“If current students don’t become active alumni, the opportunities and advancements they enjoyed won’t be available to future students,” Hairston said.
He further stressed the importance that every graduate maintain contact with the university, because the association allows for an “immediate bond with other alumni and current students.”
The university is working to increase alumni giving by sending out postcards to graduates on a regular basis. Students will handle calls during the during the university’s annual telephone fund campaign this year. University officials are hoping that this change will help reach up to 80 percent of the alumni.
The largest monetary gifts received by the university totaled $1.3 million from Rufus and Mary Hairston (no relation to Gregory Hairston). The Hairston’s are the namesake of the new residence hall on campus.
However, Gregory Hairston said that a contribution of any amount is welcomed. “One gift a year is fine, as your abilities increase so will your gifts,” he said.