It was more than food that brought current students and alumni together on Friday, October 3, in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center, for “Munch and Mingle.” The event, held during OWU’s Homecoming and Family Weekend, was an opportunity for the two groups to connect and talk about a common love—Ohio Wesleyan.
“It’s important for students and alumni to mingle because they share so many of the same life-changing experiences at OWU,” says Meggie Feran, OWU’s young alumni and student programming coordinator. “They can chat and relate with one another, and students can feel comfortable asking alums for advice because a few years back the alums were in their shoes. OWU freshman Ronnesha Addison had an especially enjoyable time at Munch and Mingle.
“I feel it is important for students and alumni to mingle because it is a great opportunity to network and find more information about the career they are considering,” says Addison. “The students can learn first hand about the many challenges, upcoming opportunities, advantages, and disadvantages of that career from alumni, and alumni can also acquire new information from students.” Feran agrees.
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“Students gain networking opportunity while alums stay connected with their alma mater by giving back and potentially helping a current student find his or her niche following graduation,” Feran says. “The event promotes friendship and opportunity.”
Feran says that the event also gives alums a direct outlet to “give back” to the university. What was really special this year, she says, were the staff members who also are alumni who came back and participated in the event including Marsha Tilden ’81, director of wellness; Laurie Patton ’95, senior associate director of admission; Heather Klumpp ’93, registered nurse; and Linda O’Horo ’79, assistant director of media and community relations.
“The Munch and Mingle is a comfortable way for students and alums to get to know one another around the subject of careers,” says Ann Slutz Flanagan ’70, OWU Alumni Board member, who attended the event. “Students get to engage in a serious dialogue with alums, learn how their studies and extracurriculars can evolve into meaningful careers, and find out more about what it’s like to live an interesting and fulfilling life as an alum. OWU can truly be a ‘for the rest of your life’ journey if you choose to make it so.”
Flanagan says a highlight of the event for her was enjoying the spontaneous discussion between a few students, alums and faculty, sharing their own experiences and perspective.
“Another highlight for me was hearing students tell about their unique summer jobs, internships, study abroad, mission trips, all of which enhance their classroom learning and shape their world view and how they see their career as a way to be engaged globally,” she says. “Many students find it takes several few years to choose a career field. I enjoyed speaking with seniors I had first met as underclassmen two years ago, and who now seem to have developed a richer sense of where they are headed.”
The event, which was sponsored by Alumni Relations, Career Services, and the Alumni Board, was attended by more than 110 students and 30 alums, representing a variety of careers. |