September 29, 1998

Pete Eubanks
Staff Writer

The Appalachian Student Ambassadors were rewarded for their exemplary performance as representatives of the university when they were named a 1998 Outstanding Organization for the Student Alumni Association/Student Foundation Network(SAA/SF).

Only five schools recieved the award out of over 300 schools in the United States and Canada.

The ambassadors recieved the award on August 29 while attending the 1998 SAA/SF Network Convention at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Judges considered an organization’s mission statement, size, history, annual budget and organizational structure in making its selection, said Assistant Admissions Director and advisor for the ambassadors Patrick Setzer. 

The Appalachian Student Ambassadors were nominated for the award after recieving an award for the best ambassadors in the Southeast district, said Setzer.

Next, the ambassadors submitted an essay explaining the organization’s involvment on campus, their history and their programs, said Assistant Admissions Director and advisor for the ambassadors Tracey Ford.

According to Ford, one of the main reasons Appalachian ambassadors recieved the award was because of the diversity of projects they do.  Many university organizations at the conference specialized in only one area, such as alumni programs, but Appalachian ammbassadors serve the admissions office, the alumni association and the Chancellor’s office, said Ford.

Working with a variety of university offices helps the students with other programs, said Ford.

For instance, by hosting alumni meetings, ambassadors learn about the history of the university and are able to use this information to improve their campus tours, said Ford.

Some of the Appalachian Ambassador programs highlighted in the nomination process were the group’s campus tours, the Chancellor-for-a-Day program, and the Appalachian BB&T MasterCard promotions, said Setzer.

Appalachian ambassadors also host the Chancellor’s box at home football games, host alumni conferences, and host some receptions held at the Chancellor’s house.

While at the convention in Wisconsin, students participated in 10 workshops and had an opportunity to observe how other university organizations conduct their programs, said president of the Appalachian Student Ambassadors, Parker Henderson.

Henderson, a senior from Gainsville, Ga., said that the ambassador organization is different from other clubs, because everyone plays a leadership role.

The Appalachian Student Ambassadors organization has 38 members, including an executive staff of five people and two advisors. The organization was founded 21 years ago and has been part of SAA/SF since the mid-1980s, said Setzer.

“We’ve taken a lot of pride in what we’ve been able to accomplish, but it’s been very much a team effort for us, not one or two people,” said Setzer.