Today@Sam Article

New Life Members Celebrated By Alumni Association

Feb. 4, 2020
SHSU Media Contact: Emily Binetti

The Sam Houston State University Alumni Association hosted an evening of music, dining and lively conversation with fellow Bearkats during the Annual Life Member Celebration at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston.

The Life Member program currently serves and supports over 3,300 members. The Life Endowment, which allows for the future growth and development of programs that benefit alumni and the university, is now over $3.7 million thanks to the generosity of members.

“Every day, Life Members make life-changing opportunities possible for our students. You strengthen our association and future generations of Bearkats by supporting programs that serve our university and preserve its great traditions,” said Charlie Vienne associate vice president of Alumni Relations in his opening remarks.

Life Member and Alumni Association president, Chris Tritico (’81), addressed Bearkats on the importance of being actively engaged in COMMIT 2020 - a campaign to re-energize individual commitments to the university and Alumni Association through time, talent, and treasure.

“Higher Ed fundraising is a changing and increasingly harder target to hit. A new, bigger and better commitment to the Alumni Association and our university is needed more than ever,” he said.

This year, Alumni Relations welcomed Kelly DeHay (’74) and Rod Danielson as the newest Joint Life Endowed members. Additionally, 28 new Life Members were presented plaques at the ceremony, among those were Manuela (’14, ’18) and Reynaldo (’13, ’14) Paz. The couple, who first met at SHSU, recently established a Joint Life Membership to their alma mater.

“We wanted to start giving back to the university that helped shape who we are today. Sam Houston  State taught us everything we know, including a life of serving others,” Manuela said.

Clarissa Barboza (’14, '19) was also among the new members honored.

“I’ve enjoyed all the alumni events that I’ve attended and made the decision to take the next step and officially join as a Life Member because I want to be more involved with the association and SHSU,” she said.

The annual celebration serves as just one of the many advantages associated with a membership. Not only is becoming a life member of the Alumni Association a great way to support the university, it also includes a variety of benefits such as networking opportunities, access to alumni events and tailgating, and discounts on auto and home insurance; hotels; car rentals and more.

For more information on becoming a Life Member or Life Endowed Member of the Alumni Association, contact the Alumni Relations Office at 936.294.1841 or visit, https://www.shsu.edu/dept/office-of-alumni-relations/lifembrs.html

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