Alumni center gives out free breakfast

Natasha Reeves

November 16, 2009

schedule 2 min read

A steady stream of guests filled The Alumni Center Wednesday morning, attending the free breakfast. Through the breakfasts, held weekly from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. for students and alumni, The Alumni Center hopes to raise awareness of its purpose.

Nov. 11‘s breakfast, complete with green Wolverine pancakes, was in celebration of Homecoming week. The Student Life SUV was parked out front where music played as the pancakes were being made by members of the Student Alumni Board.

“The Student Alumni Board is a leadership organization that motivates students to become active alumni while still in school,” said Parker Donat, a junior majoring in Public Relations and interning at the Alumni Center. Donat serves as a liaison between the alumni and student alumni. He is involved in the board’s projects, the online database, and the website.

Jeri Alphin, the Alumni Center director, led groups of guests on a tour which covered the three floors of the house. The main floor is generally used for entertaining, hosting, board meetings, retreats, conferences, and other events. The winding staircase, traveling both up and down from the main floor, leads to the offices of Student Alumni Board members, the director, fund raising coordinators and the Advancement Office.

“The center serves primarily two purposes,” said Allphin. “Making and keeping relationships, and fundraising.”

The George Murdock family owned the 13,000 square-foot red-brick mansion for 20 years previously before selling it to the school last year. The Alumni Center officially opened in July 2009, after almost a year of remodeling and furnishing. It serves as a donor and alumni center, and is also available to rent for events. There is a discounted rate offered for alumni and students.  The house recently held its first wedding there.

The center is located at 519 West 1200 South, across from the Student Advancement building. Students can also visit UVUalmuni.org for alumni services like reissued diplomas, social networking and special alumni savings.