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Black Alumni Society At USF Is New Lifeline For Past And Future Bulls
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
It has a new executive committee, new social media pages, and a new look.
The only thing the Uni- versity of South Florida’s Black Alumni Society needs is more members.
What used to be an in- formal collective, is now a group officially recognized by the university’s Alumni Association, said Society Chair, Verlon Salley.
And it’s primed to be the main bridge between the university and its Black alums, Salley said.
“We’re trying to be an active part of the alumni base,” he said.
It’s estimated that African-Americans make up about six percent of USF’s 300,000-plus alumni, said Bill McCaus- land, Executive Director of the USF Alumni Associa- tion.
Affinity groups like the Black Alumni Society are a lifeline between the univer-
sity and future Bulls, he said.
“Our African-American alumni who have that strong connection are more likely to recruit students. The university is excited to have the Black Alumni Soci- ety back on board.”
“We want this group to be successful,” he con- cluded.
More than two dozen events are being planned for the remainder of the year and beyond, including a Black Alumni Weekend, scholarship gala, Home- coming-related activities, and networking engage- ments.
The society’s recognition as an official group means that it can endow scholar- ships under the Alumni As- sociation. So alums also can expect some casual so- cial functions with a focus on raising money for schol- arships, Salley said.
“It will be like partying with a purpose.”
Salley, who attended USF in the 1990s, said the latest incarnation of USF’s Black alum group was born
VERLON SALLYE ...USF Black Alumni Society Chair
last fall.
The Seminoles and Bulls
football teams were sched- uled to play each other in September and Florida State University National Black Alumni reached out to USF to connect with its
Black alums to collaborate on a game-related activity.
Shortly after, the univer- sity reached out to Salley and other Bulls about for- mulating an official group.
The group was solidified at a “think tank” meeting in November and rolled out its new board and rebranding in January.
There is no membership fee to join, so alums can jump in right away, Salley said.
“If you went to USF, ac- cording to us, you’re part of it,” he said. “If you enjoyed your time at USF, this is the perfect network to get in- volved in to give back.”
USF senior Deprina Godboldo is moving to New York after graduation
next week.
But the mass communi-
cations major said she’s de- termined to be involved with her alma mater via the Black Alumni Society.
“I had planned on join- ing the alumni group,” she said. “I plan to do that and stay connected.”
USF Black Alumni
Society
For more information about the USF Black Alumni Society, visit its FaceBook and LinkedIn pages or the USF Alumni Association website at www.usfalumni.org.
For inquiries about events or to get involved, send email to USFBlack- AlumniSociety@gmail.com.
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