Diamond Jenkins
Blue and White Flash/ Associate Editor
Jackson State University… “Thee I love my dear old college home!”
This phrase will resound all over campus during Homecoming Week at Jackson State University. Many successful alumni will be here celebrating tradition and reconnecting with friends and loved ones. My question to those returning to Tigerland is, ‘Are you giving back to the university that gave you so much?
Now is the time for all students, especially graduating seniors, to think about how they will support the university when they become alumni.
It is nothing new to hear alumni gloating about how “their” football team will win the homecoming game, but what have you done for the team? I believe great alumni should be trained! This will leave prospective graduates with potentially one of the most positive experiences they have before leaving the school and entering into the real world.
According to ‘DiverseEducation.com in its Voluntary Support of Education report, among historically black colleges and universities, donations provided by alumni have decreased by 6 percent. Nationally, alumni participation declined from 11.9 percent to 11.7 percent. The average alumni donation for non-HBCU’s graduate was $1,195 compared with $475 for HBCU graduates.
Terry Woodard, the national president of the JSU Alumni Association expressed the importance of Jackson State alumni giving back.
“Well, I believe that it is always good to give back to the university. We should want to be interested into giving back to our own,” said Woodard. “And even outside of homecoming, we should all give back, because Jackson State University has given to us.”
There are many ways to give back to the university. Institutional programs and organizations like the Miss JSU Queens Campaign and The Blue Bengal Association collect money from alumni and others with the sole purpose of helping students financially.
The Voluntary Support of Education report also revealed that while alumni giving declined, charitable donations for both traditionally White institutions and historically Black colleges and universities both saw significant gains in private giving via foundations, corporations or religious organizations. Donations reached a record-breaking $29.75 billion.
Hearing statistics like these should make you wonder. How does this make us look? While you alumni are screaming ‘thee I love, my dear old college home,” and attending every homecoming party and event, we what to say, “Show us the money!”
Freshman biology major Francine Jackson from Detroit, Mich. said, “My parents went to Jackson State University therefore, I understand the importance of alumni giving back. Alumni [like my parents] receive so many benefits to just coming from this institution, why not give back to the place that you got your great education from?”
There are many different avenues to take when trying to give back to your institution of higher education:
• Lead, lend a helping hand
• Hire other alumni for internships or jobs
• Share Your Expertise
• Refer prospective high school students to JSU by communicating
• Give what you can.
I am challenging you to involve yourself in charitable giving on behalf of Jackson State University to help develop the next generation of leaders.
You can get involved with giving back to JSU by visiting http://www.jsunaa.com. So for all Jackson State Tigers, do not forget where you came from and give back to JSU. Happy Homecoming!
The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
