Focus Group Results Canyon, May 7 Canyon Community leaders that are also West Texas A&M University alumni came together recently to discuss the most effective ways the University can prepare for a successful second century of education and service. The graduates talked about WTAMU memories, the common interest to stay connected to each other, contribution preferences, the chartering of local alumni chapters and the best forms of media for WT to deliver its message. The leaders agreed that direct communication with local elected and appointed officials and the Canyon Chamber of Commerce is essential. They indicated a strong willingness to support WT through a variety of outlets. The focus group gathered crucial information that will be compiled to create positive advancement throughout WTAMU. Memory of being a Buff: Jarrett and Jones Hall gave me lifetime memories and friends. SkipI recall football games with my friend Don Cartel; WT as a place to get a nursing degree; REC Center for family activities and Canyon outreach facilities. Quinn I met my husband at WT. Cheryl I remember the Student Alumni Board and The Prairie in the old Fine Arts building. Amanda
Perception of WT today: The caring, engaged professors continue to be a key attraction. The campus life experience is an essential element to a rounded college education. Skip Football economics is huge. Winning at football and women's basketball has increased WT's visability and popularity. Game attendance is up. Cheryl The atmosphere on campus is far more positive and spirited today than when I left. It's exciting! Amanda The small city atmosphere is attractive to parents. Bruce I am excited about the increase of international students. It makes WT and Canyon more cosmopolitan and connects us with the global economy. Metropolitan students also bring diversity to our community. It is welcome! Quinn As a commissioner, I have heard nothing negative about WT's expansion into Amarillo or elsewhere. Skip What does an alumni want to know? Share "cool things" happening on campus to emphasize the connection and the uniqueness of living in a college town. Engage the local parents and families to recruit their children to WT. CherylWe (Canyon officials) will be developing a comprehensive plan for the growth of Canyon. WT needs to be fully involved in that process. Quinn All the local Chamber and Mayors/City Managers have a vested interest in knowing what is happening at WT. Informing them will spread the information to their boards, councils and staffs. Cheryl
How would you want to know? Create a local alumni email list. Inform local alumni through emails and post cards about campus events. Send a calendar of events and invitations. Skip Sharing information with the Canyon Chamber can lead to an all member email blast that informs the entire business community. Cheryl Facebook is another valuable way to inform a broad group of people about an event or opportunity. Amanda How frequently would you like to hear? These community leaders welcome a communications plan assuring regular communications from WT. Fundraising Priorities? Scholarships require service projects. Internship contacts broaden the appeal of the library. We have a small Spanish-language collection and we are exploring making additions to it. We may also need English-Chinese texts to serve the spouses and children of international students. SandraDr. O'Brien should enlist and engage community leaders as his ambassadors for WT. Whenever he needs someone to speak for WT, he can call on these leaders to speak from experience. We can talk to prospective students, professors or donors and tell them how much we value WT. That would be powerful! Quinn STUDENT FOCUS GROUPS Two groups of students including four recently elected student leaders, several former student government officers and many that are involved in a range of campus activities came together on May 7. They were asked about University memories, how they envisioned their roles in the Centennial Campaign and fundraising, and what they felt were the most successful ways to communicate with students today. Memory of being a Buff: We were the first class to experience the new Fine Arts building and it's improved resources. We remember late nights in the MAC lab working on The Prairie or preparing for debates. Wes and Kirk Perception of WT today: It is a family atmosphere, everyone knows everyone else. The Pedestrian Mall serves as a vehicle to unite the campus and acts as a social center. Wes The professors are bringing a range of expertise that helps students prepare for their job life. Charlie WT is providing a "smart classroom" environment. It is more exciting and has given professors an enhanced way to educate students. Tim The Pedestrian Mall is a socializing point for the student community. It is a Wi-Fi spot and a place to have fairs, concerts and booths. It connects the campus. Wes My professors are accessible 24/7. We text and email. They are interested in me and know me. I may get a 6 a.m. text from my professor about an opportunity or an assignment. Charlie We are working on creating evening and weekend activities to keep students here on campus and break away from our stigma of being a "suitcase college." Wes Our professors are engaged and accessible. They use technology to enhance their accessibility and to get to know their students better. Charlie How might students be engaged in the Centennial Campaign? The students can tell their stories, and it will give them and alumni common ground because of their common experiences. Wes We can show that the family tradition continues, but is changed and improved. We can share a connection. Kirk I push for WT with everyone I know and will travel to Dallas or other places to encourage students to "try it out." Tim Fundraising Priorities? I received a scholarship and I am relating to my donor to give their gift a personal connection. After my contact with the hospital that gave my scholarship, they increased their gift level of commitment. Charlie WT has a significant number of student leaders who can help to tell the story and to invite other students to be involved. Kirk We must educate students about the sources of their scholarships and physical technology changes on campus. Many believe that their fees/tuition pay those bills. We should make a personal connection and involve students with donors on a personal level. Charlie Students have vast creative abilities. The students need to be part of the campaign. They have a responsibility. First, they must be educated to the benefits of their involvement and then must be asked to apply their creative abilities to the campaign. Kirk Communication with students: Use Facebook for general messages and Twitter for events. Kirk Promote games and events through Facebook to increase student involvement. Wes Share details about events, weekends and celebrations weekly. Kirk Keep students informed consistently, not occasionally. They want instant information. Social networking is their communication link. Charlie The West Texan is one of the best publications on campus. I learned about WT's history and culture when I reviewed the collection. It makes things personal. Wes Memory of being a Buff: Crowds of people at football games bringing the campus and the town together. Homecoming is my highlight of the year with events, parade and the game. Being treated as an actual student and not a number in comparison to my treatment at a larger university. You are not anonymous and my adviser and professors know my name. It's refreshing. Buff Branding is the "best." It bonds classes and teaches tradition. Perception of WT today: WT is the only University in its conference to have an HD studio. There is the same equipment as at the NBC Today Show. WT has grown up as a University. The construction and renovations are visable signs of change. Internally the technology and program changes make it an exciting school. We have an array of national championships in broadcasting, sports, equestrian, music and arts. WT needs to advertise the "amazing stuff" we do. We are more than football and basketball teams. Our professors are nationally and internationally recognized and accomplished.
How might students be engaged in the Centennial Campaign? WT is awesome and people need to know it. As students, it is our responsibility to make it known what great things have happened over the past 100 years. Students need to show off what we have done and can do. Wow the alumni with a showcase of what WT students are doing and accomplishing. Student Senate is a powerful force to interact with the students, alumni and community. Other groups like Greek organizations, Student Alumni Board and President's Ambassadors are the core group. They are vital to getting the message out. Challenge the students to get involved in the campaign to make a difference--and define what that difference will mean to them.
Fundraising Priorities? Students can use their personal experience to help alumni and supporters understand the importance of continuing the heritage or legacy of a quality WT education. They can give testimony. Communication with students: Facebook and Twitter can keep students involved and informed. Put displays around campus to grab attention. Keep communications consistent. Communicate each week or every other week for close events and monthly for more long-range events.
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