By Emily Reed
When Kacie Kilpatrick graduated from the University in 2009, she started attending alumni activities immediately.
Kacie Kilpatrick
“I wanted to be involved as an alum, and give back to my University that had already given me so much,” Kilpatrick said. “We [alumni] have a lot of really fun events, such as a College Night reception and Alumni Night at the Birmingham Barons game where you can just come hang out and network with other alumni.”
Kilpatrick, attended UM beginning in 2005 and graduated with a degree in communication studies.
She is currently enjoying her newest role of serving as the president of the UM Junior Alumni Board, which represents alumni who have graduated in the last 15 years.
Kilpatrick, who will serve as president for two years, supervises the general affairs of the board and leads the quarterly meetings. She also serves as an ex-officio member of the UMNAA Board and on all standing committees of the Junior Alumni Board, except for the executive committee which she chairs.
“I am really excited to brainstorm with our board about new ideas for getting young alumni involved, and increasing our communication with new graduates,” Kilpatrick said. “We have an event in the spring called the Spring Soirée which is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. The money raised goes toward our Junior Alumni Board Leadership Scholarship that we award each year to a current UM student. We also offer several professional development and social events throughout the year to encourage young alumni engagement and giving, such as the Hope Bryant Smith Memorial 5K.”
For Kilpatrick, participating in College Night was one of her favorite activities as a student. Her senior year, she even served as Gold Side leader.
“We have such an amazing opportunity to be a part of something so unique to our university,” Kilpatrick said. “The friends that I made during College Night, on the gold and purple sides, I am still really close with today. Being a part of College Night helped me develop leadership skills and communication skills and really taught me the meaning of hard work.”
For anyone interested in learning more about young alumni activities, Kilpatrick encourages them to become involved.
“Whether it is being a member of the junior board or attending the events, we would love to have you,” Kilpatrick said. “If you go to the Montevallo website and click on the ‘Alumni’ tab, you will find a list of events and the application to join the junior board. I am also happy to answer any questions people may have about getting involved.”
Kilpatrick can be reached via email at kaciegkilpatrick@gmail.com.
