Sustaining the legacy of our alma mater: The alumni’s role

Boasting about alma mater is a pastime that some people indulge in with passion. I stand accused and will confess any day to this obsession without any prodding.

For my money, St Augustine’s College (Augusco), is a class act, a first among equals, and deserves to be celebrated and supported, especially by APSUNIANS.

The most recent encounter was at the funeral of my Augusco classmate’s younger brother. His brother - Kofi Yamoah Aidoo – went to Mfantsipim (Kwabotwe) and was a member of the 1982 year group.

As is customary, old boys of Augusco and Kwabotwe turned up in their numbers to support and console the bereaved family. Old students of Adisco and several other schools were also present. Hearing the Augusco and Kwabotwe school anthems – Mbo Augusten and Dwin Hwe Kan – sung back to back was truly refreshing.  I also happen to have a soft spot for the Adisco School Ode– Up Santaclausian – and perhaps should have prodded the old boys present to sing it as well.

Observers looked on with admiration and applauded nonstop after the impressive performance.

It was reminiscent of the inter-schools sports competitions of old (Interco). The competitive atmosphere was further charged by the presence of two sports greats - Satan of Kwabotwe and Chitalo of Augusco, both brilliant high jumpers in the seventies. As bragging rights go, this gathering at Gomoa Eshiem looked to have achieved some notable successes, and renewed our commitment to sustain the future of our alma mater. Collectively, we celebrated our past and felt invigorated to respond to a worthy social cause.

Spirit of fellowship

I believe the relationship between the alumni and alma mater has never been made more poignant than on such occasions — for both alumni and the school. The mission of any alumni is to promote a spirit of fellowship and to advance the interests of the institution.

With the global decline in funding and logistical support for higher education, many institutions are looking to increase the levels of support received from the alumni and other constituencies. The alumni nurture loyalty, pride and tradition.

The best advice comes from those who have been there. Whether you are looking for career assistance or for the opportunity to share your expertise, the alumni associations’ platform is a great way to connect.

The alumni and alma mater have a common destiny and a shared mission. It is an organic relationship and forms the bedrock of any institution. They are not only the forerunners, but also the role models for the next generation. They provide revitalising inspiration through their outstanding feats and laurels. Eventually, they set the tradition in upholding the name and dignity of their alma mater. “Just as a ship is known by its boats and a tree by its fruits, an institution is known by its illustrious alumni”.

Mentors

The alumni associations allow mentors and mentees to be in control of their own mentoring experience.

When describing emotional bonds, common themes emerge, sentiment, passion, obsession, craze, zeal and fervour. These emotions represent the glue that binds and strengthen the alumni as they connect and engage with their alma maters. Common emotional bonds form the basis of this relationship. Loyalty, a key requirement in any relationship, breeds a strong emotional connection between the alumni and their alma mater.

Higher education

Institutions typically depend on myriads of private funding sources to support both their mission and goals. One of the most critical and key sources is support from the alumni. Establishing and maintaining strong relationships between the students and their institutions has the potential to produce and grow this vital revenue stream.

The challenge to institutions is to engage their alumni early and often so that a cycle of communication is maintained at all stages of their professional development.  The focus and target should not only be on wealthy alumni. A properly managed and all-inclusive alumni engagement ensures that the alma mater always remain in their thoughts and philanthropic plans. Relationship marketing principles appear to work well in business and ought to be applied here. Given the importance of alumni support, there is great benefit in understanding what ways relationship marketing might be used to overcome the difficulty in engaging graduates.

Fundraising

Alumni associations are an integral part of a school's ability to raise funds. Managed properly, they have the potential to obtain continued financial support for their alma mater. They are also tasked to promote a positive image of the school through their actions.

Alumni associations have the potential to increase the visibility of their institutions and also provide networking opportunities for members. Recent graduates may find it beneficial to join the alumni association to meet previous graduates and receive advice and job leads from fellow alumni.

An alumni association preserves and carries on the school’s traditions. Schools require the support of alumni associations to ensure that future generations are aware of the school's history and legacy. Offering scholarships to current and incoming students, academic merit or need is a great way of channelling funds and instilling the spirit of continuous giving.

Historically, alumni associations preceded the establishment of fundraising organisations on campuses (Pray, 1981). Alumni support for colleges and universities dates back to 1643 when Harvard alumni began to renew old acquaintances (Worth, 2002). Since Yale’s first reunion in 1792, a reunion remains a staple at many colleges and universities and is considered a cornerstone of alumni relations (Buchanan, 2000). Formal alumni associations and regular, systemic alumni fundraising did not begin until the 1800s (Buchanan, 2000).

APSU Mission

The mission of the St Augustine’s Past Students’ Union is to promote and foster a dynamic, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship between St Augustine’s College, Cape Coast and its alumni; enlist and encourage alumni support for the school; sustain a spirit of excitement in our alma mater and provide opportunities for the alumni to connect with each other through meaningful programmes and activities.

Today, alumni associations remain a beacon of hope, a vehicle of possibilities and a platform of progress across the globe. As Charles Appeadu (aka Apisco APSU 1977) argues; an effective alumni group must be numerically and programmatically strong, meaningful, goal-oriented and proud of its link with the alma mater. It must be involved in the school and, above, all must be financially strong.

APSU should be fully registered and active in each region in Ghana with regular monthly contributions paid and the same replicated at the global level. The existing platform to launch this strategy is the school’s speech day.

Augusco’s 84th Speech Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2014, and will be hosted by APSU 1989 on the theme: “Sustaining the Legacy and Dignity of our Alma Mater: The role of the alumni."

The hosting group has set its sights on renovating the school’s assembly hall which remains a significant landmark even in its current deplorable state. This edifice represents our identity and heritage and was once the envy of many secondary schools.

The project will involve redoing the ceiling and repair works on the structure, followed by repainting.

Daily Graphic/Ghana

A version of this article appears in print on November 7, 2013, on page 60 of the Daily Graphic with the headline: Sustaining the legacy of our alma mater: The alumni’s role