Student alumni group brightens up campus

Tuesday night, the Student Alumni Association was seen spray painting the big blue bear paws on the Mall. The SAA does this every year. “The paws were used when giving campus tours. Even though they don’t use them anymore, it’s a great way to help out on campus,” said Alisa Makson, the association’s president.



BIG CONTRIBUTIONS - View of the Class of 1952 Cupola at the Buchanan Alumni House.

The Student Alumni Association meets there to discuss matters concerning Alumni.

 The SAA calls itself the bridge between alumni and students. Jennifer Currid, vice president of the association, said, “It’s a way to bridge the transition from student to alumni. If you participate in the activities and projects that we do, it makes you feel like you can come back.”
The SAA not only paints the paws around campus, but they also participate in other helpful projects at UMaine. For example, on homecoming weekend, the SAA does face painting. They prepare ‘final exam survival kits,’ which are available for parents to purchase for students to help them survive finals week.
“Even though it’s a lot of work, it’s a lot of fun,” said Nicole Swindler, treasurer of the association.
Michelle Tondreau, a member of the association, said, “It’s fun because we make it fun. No matter what we do, we make it fun.” Tondreau gave the example of taking a bus two years ago to Portland for an away hockey game. “We only charged five dollars for tickets and we made up the difference. It was a blast.”
Some of the benefits about being a member not only include having fun but also being able to help out. “It’s good to be able to do stuff outside of your major,” said Currid.
The activities and projects the SAA members are involved in help to connect the present and past students of UMaine. “These projects help students be proud about attending UMaine and they can take that into the world with them,” said Makson.
The SAA is not a part of the Alumni Association, which is independent from the university. The SAA is a student-run organization on campus. Anyone can join and there is no fee for membership.
The SAA holds a weekly meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. “We’re always looking for help and new members,” said Makson. The SAA is currently composed of mostly third – and fourth – year students, but they are looking for younger members to help keep the association going.

By Alisha Tondro

Posted on Thursday, September 28th, 2006

http://mainecampus.com/2006/09/28/student-alumni-group-brightens-up-campus/