During the spring semester of 1981, Sally Ward, Executive Director of Alumni, began working with the Fort Hays State University Alumni Board of Directors to establish a Student Alumni Association. It was felt that today's students, in general, do not have the loyalty to Fort Hays State University noted in past generations. The key concept in promoting the institution's welfare and the pride and the loyalty of individuals is the coordination of alumni and current students to work together on important projects. It was hoped that through education and participation, students and alumni would gain insight regarding the developmental direction of Fort Hays State as the University experiences change.

In September 1981, the Student Affairs Office gave official approval to the FHSU Student Alumni Association to be recognized as a student organization. The dedicated efforts of Sally Ward, Director of Alumni, made it possible for the organization to be approved. Twenty-two students signed up as charter members of the organization.

Sally Ward retired on July 1, 1986, and Jan Johansen, Assistant Director of Alumni, became the sponsor of the Student Alumni Association. For two years, Jan carried the same dedication and motivation of the organization, continuing its growth and development. In the fall of 1988, Diane Pfeifer, FHSU Admissions Counselor, was approached by Jan Johansen and Ron Pflughoft, Executive Director of Alumni, to become the sponsor of the organization.

Jan Johansen and Ron Pflughoft in the Alumni Office and Pat Mahon, Director of Admissions, were the motivating support system behind Diane Pfeifer in her efforts in sponsoring the organization. In October of 1988, these four individuals discussed the goals, objectives, and the name of the organization. Developing from this meeting was the addition of the Admissions Office support and the addition of "Dignitary" at the end of the organization's name. The Office of Admissions wanted to develop a network of current students to promote FHSU in their hometowns and to serve as host/hostess to campus visitors. Peers are one of the most effective marketing strategies a University has. It was only natural that the Alumni and Admissions Offices work together, because it is the FHSU alumni and the students who are the backbone of this University. Both the Alumni and Admissions Offices are housed in Custer Hall. It is Custer Hall where a student will first come to the campus and receive a tour coordinated by the Office of Admissions. Once they will become a graduate of the University, they will continually return to Custer Hall and the Alumni Office. The cooperation of the two offices made the organization larger and stronger. In May 1989, the organization had approximately 60 members.

Jan Johansen retired from her duties at Fort Hays State University on April 28, 1989. Debra Prideaux (1987-89 FHSU Admissions Counselor) was named Assistant Alumni Director.

The Student Alumni Association "Dignitaries" met for monthly meetings throughout the 1989-1990 school year. Cakes-for-All-Occasions, Fall semester care packets and promoting THE FHSU Tiger Master Card were the fund-raising projects. Assisting Alumni and Admissions through participation at Scholarship Recognition Programs, Alumni functions, Admissions phoning, special campus visitation days, and again conducting the annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony were the public relation functions of the members. A decline in SAA support caused members to examine the constitution, and it was presented and approved to limit the membership to no more than thirty members. In addition, the members’ grade requirement was raised from 2.25 to 2.5 cumulative GPA.

In the Spring 1990 planning meeting, members voted to be known as the Student Alumni Association, and "Dignitaries" was officially removed from the organization's name. Overall, the biggest change in direction of the organization has been the strengthening of the constitution and the membership selection process, which limits the organization to thirty members.

A growing concern was expressed in the Spring 1991 by SAA members regarding the point system, which mandated SAA members to earn a certain number of points each semester. It was determined the point system placed undue hardships on all members and was officially removed from the original SAA constitution.

In August 1991, Pat Mahon took a leave of absence to Kansas State University in Manhattan to work on her doctorate degree. Teresa Boos, FHSU Admissions Counselor, served as co-sponsor with Debra Prideaux for the 1991-92 academic year.

In June 1992, Pat Mahon returned to serve as co-sponsor. Lisa Karlin, who was the Assistant Alumni Director, served as co-sponsor from 1992-97. In 1995, Pat Mahon took a job at the Registrar's Office. Joey Lynn, Admissions Director, served as co-sponsor from 1995-96. Dustin Schlaefli was named the Admissions representative and co-sponsor from June 1996 until June 1998.

In September 1997, Tammy Wellbrock, Alumni Assistant Director, joined Dustin Schlaefli as co-sponsor. After Dustin's departure, Shawna Nehls was named the Admissions representative and co-sponsor.

Shawna Nehls remained the Admissions representative and co-sponsor with Tammy Wellbrock until August 1999. At that time, Shawna resigned and Tricia Kohl was named the Admissions representative. Joey Linn joined Tammy Wellbrock as SAA co-sponsor once again.

In August of 2000, Tricia Kohl resigned as Admissions representative and Tammy Wellbrock and Joey Linn continued to be co-sponsors. During this time, SAA members began to look for ways to increase SAA membership and thus two successful membership drives were held in the 2000-2001 academic year.

In May 2001, Tammy Wellbrock resigned as Assistant Alumni Director and Joey Linn obtained a new position at FHSU as Registrar. In the summer of 2001, a nationwide search was conducted to find a new Assistant Alumni Director/SAA sponsor. In August 2001, Brenda Craven was selected as the new Assistant Alumni Director and SAA sponsor. Michelle Schlyer joined her as co-sponsor from the Admissions department.

August 29-September 2, 2001 made history for the Student Alumni Association as ten members traveled to Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the Association of Student Advancement Programs International Assembly. With new ideas, strong determination, and a large membership of twenty-nine members, SAA was off and running in the 2001-2002 academic year.

Six SAA members presented a multi-media program on their successful marketing of Care Packages at the 2002 Association of Student Advancement Programs National Conference in St. Louis, Mo. The following summer, members attended the annual conference which was hosted at the Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Through such networking, members have not only gained, but also enthusiastically implemented new ideas for strengthening the organization.

During the 2003-04 year, special efforts were made to elevate campus awareness of SAA’s presence and impact on the university. Enhanced recruitment of new members resulted in an even broader spectrum of academic majors represented in the group. Likewise, SAA officers worked tirelessly to assure that each meeting is well-organized, productive and “lots of fun.” The group’s newest fundraiser, the sale of “Celebration Cakes,” provides parents of students and the campus community alike an opportunity to honor their favorite Tigers with personalized cakes for special occasions.

The 2004-05 year saw more changes for SAA, as Conni Dreher replaced Brenda Craven as the SAA sponsor from the Alumni Association and Tricia (Kohl) Cline rejoined as the SAA Admissions sponsor. Nine members and one sponsor attended the District VI ASAP Networking Conference in Ames, IA, bringing back many new ideas. The second year of the Celebration Cake program resulted in nearly double the sales of the first year. SAA members also spent time reviewing and amending the SAA constitution to continually improve group effectiveness.

As the 2005-06 academic year begins, SAA welcomes new sponsors Ryan Harms from Alumni and Sharon Thielen from Admissions. Plans for this year include reviewing the SAA member recruitment process, working more closely with the Admissions and Alumni offices, and implementing a variety of new activities and events. Thanks to an especially enthusiastic membership and dedicated officers, the future of SAA has never looked brighter!

Updated September 2005. Send comments to saa@fhsu.edu