Alumni Associations

Coog Strong

The year, 2020, proved to be quite challenging and had tremendous impact on Alumni Associations groups and their ability to engage. However, despite the odds, these groups pulled their resources together to support alumni, students and the community.

Past president and fishing tournament chair for the Valenti School of Communication Alumni Association, Kimberly Maraldo (’03), spearheaded the 13th Annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament at Topwater Grill in Galveston County to raise scholarship funds for students at the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. Working through postponements and appropriate health guidelines, the event raised over $7,000 in late August.

Hispanic Fashion Show 13th Annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament

Loteria Night

Mónica Rojas-Hidalgo (’16), interim president of the Hispanic Alumni Association, worked with her Board to raise over $15,000 through a variety of programming while embracing a virtual media format. Prior to the pandemic, the Association held its Fashion Show in the UH Athletics/Alumni Center. In response to social distancing protocols, the Hispanic Alumni Association held a virtual Lotería Night where participants played a game similar to Bingo. Typically run in-person, support for the event totaled over $3,500. The Association also had a virtual 5K Turkey Trot and virtual art gallery where all proceeds went to support UH

students.

A number of Alumni Associations collaborated with UHAA to provide outreach to alumni through educational webinars. The College of Education partnered with UHAA in its UH2U Alumni Webinar Series to host “Finding Balance: Tips for Managing Your Mental and Physical Health.” Similarly, Tom Omondi (MSN ’12, M.B.A. ’14), president of the Nursing Alumni Association and Dean of the College of Nursing, Kathryn Tart (Ed.D. ’99), MSN, RN and LaDawn Fletcher, director of Development for the College of Nursing, produced “PTSD and Me: Time for Nurses to Heal Ourselves.”

Other Alumni Associations pulled their resources to support the greater community. Kevan Brewster (’82), president of the UH Cougar Athletic Alliance and their board of directors held two separate drives in November and December. Through their Step Up to the Plate — the Association raised funds to feed over 60+ families for Thanksgiving. They also held their annual Toy Drive in December to support SEARCH House of Tiny Treasures, a preschool dedicated to serving children whose families are homeless. Kelly McClurkin Granado (’03, M.B.A. ’06), president of the Bauer College Alumni Association, produced a charity drive to support the Fort Bend Women’s Center and Jenna Pel (’13), president of the LGBTQ Alumni Association, joined the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce to host a food and supply drive for those in the LGBTQ+ community in-need.

This is a snapshot of the tremendous activity represented by various Alumni Associations during “unprecedented” times. Through it all, our Coogs continue to show their strength and resilience.

Finding Balance: Tips for Managing Your Mental and Physical Health

Turkey Trot

Virtual Art Gallery Step Up to the Plate