A few weeks into the fall semester, I was having coffee with a friend from my hometown who is now a Mizzou freshman. She was interested in some of the activities that I’ve become involved in since starting at Mizzou two years ago. When I mentioned serving on the Alumni Association Student Board, I wasn’t surprised that she asked, “What is AASB?”
The Alumni Association Student Board is a student organization overseen by the Mizzou Alumni Association (MAA). We call ourselves the university’s traditions keepers, and while that term may seem outdated, it captures the important role that AASBers serve in helping organize and maintain long-standing Mizzou traditions and innovating new events in the hopes that they become a historical mark of being Mizzou Made.
When I applied, interviewed and was finally revealed to current members on Faurot Field last November, I could tell that I was joining a special group of students. It humbles me to be surrounded by people who love Mizzou so much and in such different ways. AASB is made up of a former MSA president, MSA representatives, a member of The Associated Students of the University of Missouri, Mizzou secret society initiates, Missouri Student Unions ambassadors, Mizzou Leadership Academy ambassadors, Homecoming Steering Committee royalty, leadership and members, Kinder Institute fellows, MizzouThon leadership and participants, Mizzou Alternative Break organization leaders and site leaders, Camp Kesem counselors, Tour Team members, Summer Welcome leaders, school-specific ambassadors, a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority national leader, Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. sorority members, Alpha Phi Alpha members, PHA sorority and IFC fraternity presidents and council members, Greek Week and RAMS leadership, Panhellenic Counselors and more. They’ve all made their Mizzou experience their own and share their passion for the university every day.
AASB participates in the behind-the-scenes of Mizzou traditions including Paint the M, Tiger Walk, Flick on Faurot, the Mizzou ’39 reveal ceremony and Senior Sendoff. Our responsibilities at these events vary from setting up tables and stations on the Quad before Tiger Walk, making trips back to the Reynolds Alumni Center on the MAA golf cart during events, releasing balloons from The Columns as freshman take their first steps as Mizzou students, spreading the word about events through social media or live stream event coverage and picking up ice to keep Tiger Stripe ice cream cold for Senior Sendoff. Our work helps the Mizzou Alumni Association put on memorable events for the university community.
Many of us are also lucky enough to attend Mizzou Alumni Association events including Leaders Weekend and Volunteer Leaders Awards, National Governing Board dinners and nationwide chapter events. Alumni care deeply about Mizzou’s future and make an effort to connect meaningfully with students. AASB is always welcomed at the end of ceremonies at the Reynolds Alumni Center to lead the room in singing the Alma Mater. These opportunities allow us to build relationships with notable, generous alumni, network and explore other meaningful ways to be involved during our four years at Mizzou and after graduation.
AASB is also responsible for recruitment, membership, programming and benefits for members of the True Tiger Network. The True Tiger Network is the Mizzou Alumni Association’s membership option for students. Each AASBer spends time throughout the fall and spring semesters tabling around campus to invite students to become members of the Mizzou Alumni Association. Info about the True Tiger Network is also available for parents and students during the months of Summer Welcome sessions. Perks of the membership include Football Friday food, yard games and t-shirt pass-outs on Traditions Plaza on select Fridays before major SEC football games, alumni networking events at the Heidelberg, baseball and football tailgates, Mizzou merch and discounts for local Columbia and online stores.
My involvement in AASB has only made my appreciation of Mizzou that much stronger. It’s an incredible feeling to be able to share the traditions that define Mizzou’s spirit and rich history, help others embrace the university and give back to the place that has become my second home.
— Larissa Babiak, sophomore, Denver, Colorado
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