On the morning of Sept. 4 the Alumni Association set up a booth in front of Woody Hall to get students to gather for their Paws for 5 event.
The event allows for students at SIU to “pause for a few minutes out of their day to come together and enjoy some coffee and donuts,” said Michelle Dirks, who has been an Alumni Association staff member for five years.
Advertisement
The event, which is hosted every fall and spring, is about getting students to come together and take a break before the stress of classes begins for the day. The event took place on a rainy morning and had students interacting not only with each other but also the alumni staff.
Paws for 5 events allows students to, “pause and take a break on their way to class,” said executive director and board member of the Alumni Association, Molly Hudgins.
“This means we want students to pause for a few minutes out of their day to come together and enjoy some coffee and donuts,” Dirks said. “We use some word play to connect back. We want them to learn where the Alumni Association building is.”
Advertisement*
When Dirks was also asked to explain why the Alumni Association is giving back to the students, she said, “You are our future, we wouldn’t have an alumni without the student.”
Hudgins said the organization “engraves itself on students’ lives” when they start their career at SIU.
“When you sign up to be a Saluki you join the Saluki Nation, and that’s what being an alumni is all about,” Hudgins said.
“Scooter’s Coffee has partnered with us for the last three Paws for 5 events,” Hudgins explained.
event.
At the booth for Paws for 5 event, free goodies and information papers could be found on the table for students to read to learn more about the events that the Alumni association hosts and participates in.
“We want students to see [our booth] to learn more about the events that the Alumni Association takes part in or hosts,” said Dirks.
Dirks continued to explain that the Alumni Association is very involved on campus. The Association participates in events such as move-in day and legacy lunch. The association also works with the Jostens for each class ring.
Hudgins also explained that, “Paws for 5 was created by the whole alumni staff as a way to give back to students on campus.”
“It’s kind of a spoof on words,” she said. “We are a Saluki Nation and the Paws is a reference to our great Saluki mascot dog.”
Hudgins also said that she wanted students to, “stop by the alumni center, take a moment, have a pause, grab a cup of coffee, and have a conversation with us on your way to class.”
Dirks said the Alumni Association building is named after two SIU alumni. This happened to be brother and sister from the Guide-Moller family name.
The Alumni Association building is also located in Woody Hall. This part of campus is meaningful to alumni. Meaning that SIU alumni have a connection from when they are back on campus.
“There was a line called Woody Shuffle because you stood in line for the bursar office, you stood in line for the financial aid, you stood in line for the registrar office,” said Hudgins.
On top of planning and being a part of campus events, the Alumni Association also has a Student Alumni Association.
“The association is trying to get students involved now, not later,” said Dirks.
She explained that to become a part of the Student Alumni Council you must first be a sophomore.
“You know your capacity as a student after your freshman year,” Dirks explained.
During your sophomore year you may submit an application to the association to be considered for a spot. This application gets reviewed and if a student meets the requirements they are called in for an interview.
“We only take about 20-25 students a year. We are very selective,” Dirks said.
The association looks for students who want to be leaders and are involved in campus life. Volunteerism is also a main component of the Alumni Council because of the events they participate in.
“We want to trust in our students to be a positive influence,” Dirks said.
Advertisement
