A new student-volunteer organization at East Tennessee State University will empower student leaders to spread the spirit of philanthropy among their peers, alumni and donors.
The ETSU Foundation Board of Directors approved the creation of the Student Foundation Ambassadors (SFA), a group of student leaders who will help educate their peers about the positive impact of alumni and donor support.
“Some of our best ambassadors for ETSU are our current students who are enjoying the outstanding programs, facilities and education that we offer,” said John King, interim president/CEO of the ETSU Foundation. “We decided to tap into this amazing resource by creating a pool of students who will assist with events, activities and resources to help encourage alumni loyalty to ETSU and to plant seeds for future advocacy.”
The students will attend and speak at ETSU’s annual Alumni Awards, attend President’s Circle tailgates during football season, and speak and host tables at ETSU’s Distinguished President’s Trust celebration.
“I believe that the Student Foundation Ambassadors are our future alumni leaders,” said Whitney Goetz, executive director of the ETSU National Alumni Association. “I’m encouraged by their hearts for philanthropy, their dedication to our institution and the desire they have in making an impact that will be felt by our next generation of Buccaneers.”
They also will become an integral part of ETSU’s Day of Giving, which is being extended this year to a weeklong celebration of gratitude and giving called “Forever ETSU.”
The new Forever ETSU celebration will take place April 21-27, and will include a day dedicated to students that will be led by the Student Foundation Ambassadors.
Each SFA Member will be paired with two mentors from the ETSU Foundation Board so that they can receive real-world experience and guidance. Foundation mentors have committed to matching $500 for each fund that the SFA members are passionate about. This partnership exemplifies the power of philanthropy with 100% board participation.
“Our donors share how much they love meeting our students, and this group will play a key role in providing those opportunities. Our SFAs will also have the opportunity to learn more about philanthropy firsthand and gain valuable insight into the impact of giving and the importance of donor relationships,” said Desmond Pierce, executive director of Annual Giving.
The founding members of the Student Foundation Ambassadors are:
- Madison Hoskins (Kingsport, TN): a first-year student pharmacist
- Drake Franklin (Canton, NC): a junior majoring in health science
- Taylor Laymon (Kodak, TN): a junior majoring in biomedical engineering technology with minors in mathematics, human rights and global citizenship
- Gage Latham (Maryville, TN): a junior majoring in health sciences with a minor in public health
- John Statzer (Morristown, TN): a sophomore majoring in marketing management
- Joseph Swearingen (McEwen, TN): a senior finance major with a concentration in real estate
- Meghan Cordoza (Hazlet, NJ): a senior majoring in English
- Kylie Sparks (Greeneville, TN): a sophomore majoring in English
- Aidan Townsend (Kingsport, TN): a senior majoring in marketing management with a minor in leadership studies
- ShelC' Black (Jonesborough, TN): a junior majoring in media and communication with a double minor in digital marketing and advertising
- Emma Olinger (Kingsport, TN): a sophomore majoring in elementary education and minoring in communicative disorders
- Ruby Teixeira (Nashville, TN): a junior majoring in elementary education
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
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