By Rebecca Wilford
BYU students tend to relate the term alumni with people who have graduated from BYU. Many students however, are unaware they can be a part of an alumni organization while attending school.
“Students are considered alumni in residence as soon as they receive their confirmation that they attend Brigham Young University,” said Todd Hendricks, advisor of the Student Alumni Association.
The SAA gives students many opportunities to receive benefits of alumni membership while attending classes.
“Lots of students don”t realize the advantages of being a part of the association,” said Charlene Winters, director of alumni marketing and communications.
Some of the benefits members can receive are scholarships, business experience and networking opportunities. Students can connect with BYU alumni that could benefit their careers in the future. They can develop relationships with people in their field that can help them when they graduate.
Hendricks said the association gives students a chance to build these relationships while being involved in activities that can serve other students.
“It”s main focus is to create lasting relationships between students, parents, alumni, and friends of Brigham Young University and so all of our programs are keyed to those particular areas,” Hendricks said.
The SAA is involved with many different activities, such as the “Take a Cougar to Lunch Program,” the BYU vs. University of Utah food drive and the Choose to Give Campaign. These events give students an opportunity to serve others and participate in events on campus.
The SAA also works closely with BYUSA. Rather than going around campus and trying to get people to run for offices, the SAA chooses former BYUSA officers for the positions. Hendricks said this happens because the association knows students who self elect themselves as leaders want to be involved and will do a good job.
The SAA is unique because it gives students alumni benefits for free.
“Our alumni association is a little bit different than others. We don”t charge any membership dues ever, which is radically different than any other alumni association,” Hendricks said.
The SAA was created in 1983 and has won many awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, including Outstanding Organization in 2002.
Hendricks said students that are interested in joining the Student Alumni Association can visit the Web site at http://alumni.byu.edu/saa/home.cfm or go to the Alumni House north of the Tanner Building.
