FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2007
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124

MUW alumni recommend active and supportive role for future association
  
COLUMBUS, Miss. – The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association Advisory Committee recommended that the future association should reach out to alumni across the nation, support enrollment growth and the university’s fundraising efforts through the Foundation, as well as offer clearly defined benefits for membership.

The committee also recommended names of talented and successful alumni to serve as officers of the interim board to guide the future association through its restructuring as part of its meeting on Thursday and Friday.

“This committee’s responsibility was to develop recommendations for the future of MUW Alumni Association,” said alumna Andrea Overby, chair of the 15-member panel of alumni. “I feel good about our work over the past two days, and I am excited about this group of people who are good thinkers and very optimistic.”

Overby added alumni continue to be faithful contributors to MUW.

“We have laid the groundwork for enhancing and increasing involvement whether it’s through the actual association or other avenues of helping MUW. We hope to build bridges to the future,” she said.
   
Several recommendations were made which included developing a strategic communication plan, board structure, committee structure, chapter and constituent groups and membership guidelines and benefits.
   
Alumna Becky Tate Cade said, “I thought we had some wonderful and exciting ideas that if implemented can enhance the future Alumni Association and support for the university. I’m excited for the opportunity to serve on this committee and to see all the great things going on here.”
   
Cade graduated from MUW in 1976 graduate with a degree in merchandising. She is the deputy director of administration for Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson.
   
Jan Walker, who graduated from MUW in 1969 with a double major in psychology and biology, said, “The meeting was very well organized and represented a good cross section of alumni from this university. This committee worked hard to come up with recommendations that will allow the future Alumni Association to move in concert with the goals of the university.”
   
Walker is president of a management consulting and training firm in Madison.
   
MUW Alumni Relations Director Jan Miller, who is also an alumna, said, “We are thrilled with the alumni recommendations and we are going to do everything in our power to ensure the MUW Alumni Association is an active and engaged partner with the university.’’