SU Federation Gearing up for National Elections

Beginning June 1, 2016, the Southern University Alumni Association will hold its bi-annual election to elect seven individuals to serve as national officers of the Southern University Alumni Federation, the Alumni Association’s governing body, for a two-year term.
“Any and all active Southern Alumni are able to participate in the election” said Current Federation President and 1990 Southern graduate, Preston Castille Jr.
President Castille, who is also seeking reelection this June, went on to add that since he has been President the federation has made it it’s goal to help the university increase retention and do what ever they can to support the students and faculty.
When asked what advice he would give to students who may not feel the need to give back or join their local chapters, Castille added that he hopes current Southern University students will join their Southern Alumni. “We are the backbone of the University and a critical component of that is investing in the needs of our fellow jaguars so Southern can be around for another 136 years,” said Castille.
Currently, less that 2 percent of all Southern alumni give back to the University, a figure that is startling low when compared to other historically black colleges and universities.
It is the issue of young alumni involvement in the federation that is one of the reasons why 07’ graduate and National Chair of the Southern University Young Alumni Network, Deion Dorsey, is a candidate for his 2nd Vice Presidency of the Federation.
“In running I want to try and help bridge the gap between young and old alumni, and the current student body. Young alumni are in a position to help fix issues and make things that much easier for current students,” said Dorsey.
When asked what he wanted to achieve should he become 2nd president, Dorsey said that he would like to develop a very strong connection with the student body. “After graduation, we want the next logical step for former students to, be alumni participation and to expand the young alumni network to include current students so we can always keep our finger on the pulse of what’s going on, on campus,” commented Dorsey.
93’ alumni and Dallas Chapter President and currently serving as 1st Vice President of the Federation, Laquitta Thomas, is running for reelection this June.
When asked what motivated her to run two years ago Thomas said, “I feel like I have something to give back, there is always something we can do to help further the mission of Southern University,” said Thomas, “but more than that it is very important for all of us to be engaged because Alumni are the heart beat of Southern University and its survival depends on the entire Jaguar Nation.”
The 2016 election of Federation Officers will take place via mail in ballot from June 1 until the 30 and the results will be announced at the 2016 National Alumni Conference that will take place in Chicago, Illinois.
Current students who maybe interested in joining the federation are encouraged to seek out their local chapters and become involved once they’ve graduated