Christina Smith
Daily Egyptian
Carterville native Sheri Hunter began her one-year term as president of the SIUC Alumni Association in July.
Hunter received a bachelor's degree in English from SIU in 1976 and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction in 1988.
After 28 years of teaching in the Carterville school district, she
retired in May. She was also the chair of the English department at
Carterville High School.
"I really believe in their philosophy of reaching out to students,
faculty, administration and alumni and providing services for them,"
Hunter said.
Hunter joined the Alumni Association's national board in 1999 and has
participated on several committees. Since joining the board, she has
joined the executive committee, which is made up of eight of the 39
board members. Hunter served as vice president two years ago and she
served as president-elect last year before becoming president in July.
"Now that I am retired and that I've had this experience, I feel like I am ready to take over," Hunter said.
Hunter said once you meet the staff at the Alumni office, you really
become engaged in what they are doing because they are energetic,
creative and loyal.
"Loyalty is probably the reason I got involved in the first place," Hunter said.
Hunter said the University reaches out to many people who are not
affiliated with the school and that is an essential part of what the
University does for its alumni.
Hunter has three major goals for her term as president. Her first goal
is to build a strong board by communicating frequently with board
members, who are located across the country. She also wants to support
long-range planning, such as Southern at 150. Her final goal is to
build the membership up to 20,000. The Alumni Association has about
16,000 members at this time.
Hunter was on the membership committee, which she said is the lifeblood
of the organization, and her input and leadership have already been an
asset to the association, director of alumni public relations Greg
Scott said.
"I have found her to be someone who takes a great pride in the
University and certainly in the association and that is why I think she
will be an outstanding leader for the organization," Scott said.
Scott said Hunter is always willing to help in any way possible and he has enjoyed working with her.
"She wants to do the very best for the association and the University," administrative secretary Nadine Lucas said.
Reporter Christina Smith can be reached at
christina_smith@dailyegyptian.com.
