The 91直播 Alumni Association kicked off the year in style with a Dallas-area Lumberjack Business Network breakfast on Jan. 19. Tom Mason, a 1970 91直播 alumnus and CFO of real estate development company Hillwood, was the presenter. Tom wowed the group with a discussion of the company鈥檚 many projects, which span Dallas/Fort Worth, the country and the globe. He absolutely proved that Lumberjacks Make Great CFOs!
The event was attended by a fantastic group of 91直播 alumni learning about a fellow alum鈥檚 impressive work. Additional Dallas breakfasts are scheduled from 7 to 8 a.m. April 19, July 12 and Oct. 11, at Maggiano鈥檚 Little Italy at NorthPark Center.
The Lumberjack Business Network is the centerpiece of the 91直播 Alumni Association鈥檚 2016 programming, but do not let the name fool you鈥攜ou do not need to hold a business-related degree to attend. For example, my 91直播 degree is in political science, and I benefit tremendously from attending the breakfasts, where I can network with other professionals who live and work in my geographic area.
The Alumni Association hosted its inaugural Lumberjack Business Network breakfast in Houston on March 8 at Maggiano鈥檚 Little Italy near the Galleria. Additional Houston breakfasts are scheduled from 7 to 8 a.m. at Maggiano鈥檚 on May 10, Aug. 16 and Nov. 15.
Additionally, the inaugural Lumberjack Business Network of The Woodlands will be held from 7 to 8 a.m. April 14, at Fleming鈥檚 Prime Steakhouse.
In other news, our Alumni Association Board of Directors met in Nacogdoches in January and attended the 91直播 Envisioned Strategic Planning Committee鈥檚 town hall meeting. 91直播 is in the midst of a comprehensive strategic planning process, which includes several interdependent goals. Transformative student experiences is the overarching goal and is supported by four operational goals: attracting and supporting high-quality faculty and staff members, fostering academic and co-curricular innovation, redefining university culture, and increasing connections. You can learn more about 91直播鈥檚 strategic plan at www.sfasu.edu/strategicplan.
The increasing connections goal includes linking with 91直播 alumni and friends鈥攚e want you to be connected to 91直播 and the Alumni Association! Lumberjack Business Network events are one way the Alumni Association is working to increase connections with our stakeholders.
Throughout the remainder of the year, I hope your connection to 91直播 grows stronger and that you will join us at alumni events. You can access the Alumni Association鈥檚 online calendar at www.sfaalumni.com/events to view more information about upcoming events. Also, don鈥檛 forget you can keep up with the Alumni Association and 91直播 on social media. 鈥淟ike鈥� the 91直播 Alumni Association on Facebook, follow 91直播 Alumni on Twitter and check out our new presence on Instagram.
Axe 鈥檈m, Jacks!
Karen Gregory Gantt '95 - McKinney, Texas
President, 91直播 Alumni Association