Spring Break
Women's network seeks to meet needs of female Aggies
Former students offer mentoring, professional, life experience to students
By: Madiha Rizvi
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: News
On April 27, 1963, the Texas A&M Board of Directors voted to admit women into the University on a limited basis, starting in June of that year. With the 45th anniversary of that vote approaching, former women students formed a network to give back to A&M.
Established as a constituent of the Association of Former Students in December, the Women's Former Students Network gives former students the chance to contribute their time and skills to help students.
"Our mission is to enhance the excellence of A&M by promoting the active engagement of women in educational, charitable and cultural life of the institution," said Sue Redman, Class of 1980 and co-director of WFS.
The idea of WFS evolved over time. Carol Jordan, Class of 1980 and co-director of WFS, said women began realizing that, aside from the monetary contributions made through the Association of Former Students, they were not engaged in the University. A survey conducted by former students concluded that women wanted to connect back to A&M. They wanted to give back by providing service to others in a meaningful manner.
The membership of WFS is open to current and former students. The network is an attempt to identify the needs faced by women Aggies, connecting them with former students so the needs can be addressed.
"It is a special organization of women helping other women. We want to pick up the needs of the current students and implement solutions for them," Redman said.
"We want to offer internships in the summer and job placements through the network. We are also interested in contributing to scholarships and have an endowment to give out with the A&M Foundation."
The WFS network consists of 15 executive board members and includes two co-directors, a secretary and treasurer, along with committee chairwomen. An interim board has been placed in charge until elections, which will take place in November.
There are 300 women who expressed interest in the network from word of mouth, Redman said. On the membership applications, there is a section devoted to how the member wants to contribute in the organization. The person can check if they have an interest in helping with dean's office, faculty or the Advisory Board. In this manner, Redman said, former students can use their knowledge along with faculty cooperation to contribute to A&M students.
"An idea that came up was that former students can come back into the classroom setting from the business world and use their expertise to mentor current students," Redman said.
Jordan said the network is a mechanism of giving back and staying connected to the University.
"The significance of the 45th anniversary is that it is an opportunity to celebrate contributions made by women to the University and to look for ways to strengthen connections back to A&M," Jordan said. "The purpose of this network is two-fold, to not only connect former students but to support current students. The women are an integral part of the traditions of this University, as we are part of a sisterhood of women who love A&M."
Established as a constituent of the Association of Former Students in December, the Women's Former Students Network gives former students the chance to contribute their time and skills to help students.
"Our mission is to enhance the excellence of A&M by promoting the active engagement of women in educational, charitable and cultural life of the institution," said Sue Redman, Class of 1980 and co-director of WFS.
The idea of WFS evolved over time. Carol Jordan, Class of 1980 and co-director of WFS, said women began realizing that, aside from the monetary contributions made through the Association of Former Students, they were not engaged in the University. A survey conducted by former students concluded that women wanted to connect back to A&M. They wanted to give back by providing service to others in a meaningful manner.
The membership of WFS is open to current and former students. The network is an attempt to identify the needs faced by women Aggies, connecting them with former students so the needs can be addressed.
"It is a special organization of women helping other women. We want to pick up the needs of the current students and implement solutions for them," Redman said.
"We want to offer internships in the summer and job placements through the network. We are also interested in contributing to scholarships and have an endowment to give out with the A&M Foundation."
The WFS network consists of 15 executive board members and includes two co-directors, a secretary and treasurer, along with committee chairwomen. An interim board has been placed in charge until elections, which will take place in November.
There are 300 women who expressed interest in the network from word of mouth, Redman said. On the membership applications, there is a section devoted to how the member wants to contribute in the organization. The person can check if they have an interest in helping with dean's office, faculty or the Advisory Board. In this manner, Redman said, former students can use their knowledge along with faculty cooperation to contribute to A&M students.
"An idea that came up was that former students can come back into the classroom setting from the business world and use their expertise to mentor current students," Redman said.
Jordan said the network is a mechanism of giving back and staying connected to the University.
"The significance of the 45th anniversary is that it is an opportunity to celebrate contributions made by women to the University and to look for ways to strengthen connections back to A&M," Jordan said. "The purpose of this network is two-fold, to not only connect former students but to support current students. The women are an integral part of the traditions of this University, as we are part of a sisterhood of women who love A&M."
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