Welcome

As one of more than 2,000 Bear volunteers making an impact on our campus, this newsletter is for you! The Missouri State University Alumni Association (MSUAA) has grown tremendously in the last few years, creating a host of new alumni programs, benefits and resources. The most exciting change has been the outpouring of enthusiastic Bears stepping forward to serve their beloved university in so many ways! We cannot thank you enough.

Some of you have been Bear volunteers for many years. Others are just getting started. We continue to seek ways in which volunteers can make an impact on the success of our students and the future of our university.

A centralized volunteer online home, where all Bears can find opportunities that are “just right” for them, has been created. Visit alumni.missouristate.edu/volunteer.htm to learn more about current activities. Soon, we’ll publish a centralized volunteer resource site, as well, where you will find information to help you do your volunteer job even better!

This newsletter is for you, our valued volunteers; we want to provide you with the information and resources you need to do the job you signed up for. We also want to share stories about the impact your efforts have on and off campus and to introduce you to new volunteer opportunities.

We hope you enjoy Maroon Matters, and that you will share your volunteer stories with us in the months and years to come!

With Bear Pride,

Lori Fan
Executive Director of Alumni Relations

The good news is that volunteering is on the rise, and that creates more quality alumni engagement and more satisfied and connected students, among other things. The better news is that you are part of this success story. The best news is that there is no limit to the Power of Bears when they volunteer. Thank you for contributing to the good news!

 

 

Have you ever been approached by a stranger because you were wearing BearWear? Interactions can be as quick as an elevator ride or as casual as standing in line at a coffee shop. Add a few fun MSU facts to your arsenal, to share anytime with people you encounter – fellow Bears, prospective students, co-workers, neighbors or anyone who might have questions.

• About Missouri State is a one-stop snapshot of the university
• Prospective families can now visit campus in person or virtually! (Check out this virtual campus tour yourself!)

The fastest way to reimagine a program is to receive a swift kick from a pandemic. How do you build relationships, network with alumni and students, celebrate Bear Pride and engage alumni volunteers if you can’t be together? Enter Zoom and the world of virtual meetings, webinars and entertainment!

From trivia to 5K runs, Dinner with 8 Bears, book clubs, painting classes and reunions, Maroon Night In and Merry MarooNation, the alumni association has offered a variety of never-before-tried virtual activities to educate, entertain and lift the spirits of Bears everywhere. Combined, these and other activities have resulted in nearly 3,000 registered alumni and friends.

One of our most successful new programs is BearTalks webinars in which MSU alumni share their industry expertise and personal and professional success stories. Since June 2020 these one-hour engagement experiences have educated and entertained more than 1,000 Bears. Eventually, in-person programming will resume, and when it does we expect BearTalks webinars to continue as this program has been declared a winner!

Learn more about volunteering to be a BearTalks speaker by submitting a volunteer interest form.

View past BearTalks

Things are different these days, and until we can be together safely again, the Alumni Association is adapting and implementing new ways of doing business. Check out these current opportunities:

• Be a Dinner with Eight Bears Host (virtual)
• Join the BearTalks Speakers bureau
• Become a Bear In Every Building
• Join the Legislative Network

Looking for something else? Find additional volunteer opportunities.