Ken Malcolmson ’74
When alumni speak, prospective students and their parents listen. That’s why alumni participation is key to SMU’s efforts to recruit the best and brightest future Mustangs.
“A student recruitment program for alumni has been in existence for some time,” says Ken Malcolmson ’74, SMU Alumni Board chair. “With the change in the competitive landscape in higher education, the board decided this would be an ideal time to re-energize the program and re-engage alumni in student recruitment efforts.”
In partnership with the Division of Enrollment Services, Alumni Relations provides SMU graduates with many opportunities to share insight and information with prospective students through the Student Recruitment Volunteers (SeRVe) program.
“Alumni play a key role in the University’s recruitment efforts,” says Ron Moss, dean of undergraduate admission and executive director of enrollment services. “Prospective students and their parents appreciate the viewpoints of alumni, who can speak from firsthand knowledge about the campus experience and the value of an SMU education.”
Alumni anywhere in the country can become involved in the year-round effort to draw promising new students to the Hilltop, Malcolmson notes. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Representing SMU at college fairs for high school students. “Alumni can speak from their own personal experiences, sharing perspectives that create a rich, well-rounded picture of student life at SMU,” Malcolmson says.
- Corresponding with prospective students in the fall, encouraging them to apply.
- Corresponding with admitted students in the spring, congratulating them on their acceptance to SMU.
- Going to summer send-off parties for students who will attend SMU in the fall. Last year send-off events were held in cities around the country, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Attending and/or hosting recruitment receptions. The events are typically held from mid-August through September and kick off the recruitment season. They are designed for high school juniors, seniors and their families to learn about what SMU has to offer. Enrollment Services sends invitations to high school students who have expressed interest in receiving SMU materials. Alumni participation during the question-and-answer portion of the program is particularly beneficial.
In addition to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, past events have been held in Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Phoenix, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Francisco and other cities around the country. - Sharing SMU experiences at on-campus events.
Marca Price ’84 with her son, David, a sophomore theatre major in Meadows School of the Arts.
When Marca Price ’84 served on a Mustang Days panel in March, she discovered how important the alumni point of view is, particularly to parents.
“We all shared our thoughts on what we like best about SMU. This gave me a chance to point out the excellent ‘family’ feel of the campus,” she says.
She brought an added dimension to the discussion: Price is also an SMU parent. Her son, David, is a sophomore theatre major in Meadows School of the Arts.
“I was approached by more than one parent with additional questions and concerns. One mother even asked, ‘If it were your child … ’ – that made me feel like I had really connected with the audience.”
Price’s experience demonstrates the power of the personal touch in connecting with tomorrow’s Mustangs, Malcolmson says. “We hope to build an army of engaged alumni who will enhance Admission’s efforts to attract some of the country’s most outstanding students to SMU.”
For more information, visit smu.edu/involved, call 214-768-ALUM (2586) or 1-888-327-3755, or e-mail involved@smu.edu.
Alumni Board
Bill Vanderstraaten ’82 has been selected as the chair-elect for the SMU Alumni Board. Bill is president of Chief Partners, LP, a commercial real estate investment company, and resides in Dallas. His term as chair will begin in May 2011. Nominations for the 2011 SMU Alumni Board will be accepted through Dec. 31. Alumni may nominate fellow alumni or themselves. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 214-768-2586 or e-mail smualum@smu.edu.
CHAIR Ken Malcolmson ’74
MEMBERS Brad Adams ’93, Craig Adams ’88, Chris Ainsworth ’94, Emily Blue ’00, Shonn Brown ’95, ’98, Robert Cabes ’91, Jonathan Childers ’02, ’05, Marli Craig ’92, Marcus Duron ’85, Kim Hanrahan ’92, Harriet Holleman ’63, Rob Johnson ’97, Steve Lindley ’74, Doug Linneman ’99, Carlos Maldonaldo ’97, Robert Massad ’68, Susie McCormack ’77, Bobby Mills ’57, Michaux Nash Jr. ’56, Kelli Nesseth ’88, Debbie Oates ’78, Scott Rozzell ’71, Lisa Sabin ’78, Anga Sanders ’70, ’77, David Schmidt ’79, Deborah Sirchio ’70, Steve Swanson ’74, Jeffrey Ziegler ’84
