The essence of ‘homecoming’

Many schools in the USA have a homecoming tradition. Ex-students of institutions are welcomed back on campus. The American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, has also adopted this culture. It now has an annual event to celebrate its alumni.

According to Director, Students Activities and Involvement, Dorsey Spencer, the homecoming event is for ex-students who graduated not less than three years ago and are gainfully employed.

The alumni members are invited by the school to be celebrated and during their stay on campus, they share experiences gained since graduation.

At this year’s homecoming, the students received career talk and were taught how to write résumés.

Odera Okakpu, a third year Communication and Multimedia student, said the idea of homecoming prepares students for the labour market and “is also an opportunity for us to see our friends who have left us.”

At the homecoming, alumni members also contribute to the development of the university, by not only offering financial support but also innovative ideas.

“We just want to build a sense of belonging with students who have graduated from our institution,” Spencer said.

Newly elected president of the university’s alumni association, Mansur Mamman, said the homecoming event “renews the hope of the students. It gives them joy when they also see us after several years.”

Mamman encouraged the students to always stay connected with the alumni members for possible opportunities that could be communicated to them.

Mansur Mamman who was sworn in as the president of the alumni association during one of the homecoming activities, has Maryam Abdullahi as his vice president, Fatima Ademoh, treasurer, Soni Livingstone, secretary general, Okechukwu Anyanwu, chairperson, Alumni Relations and Outreach, and Elijah Minso as chairman, Management and Logistics.

Keeping with its team spirit and collective responsibility, many graduates of the university have been employed by management and now serve in different departments.

President of the institution Dr. Margee Ensign explains that, “we believe in our students so much. We believe we have trained them so well for the labour market, so what we do is to go ahead and employ those who indicate interest to work with us while waiting for their youth service posting.”

Ensign adds, “the idea keeps students busy before they are called to serve their fatherland during their youth service. Most students say it’s a way the students can translate what they learnt from the school to develop the school. Most students claim that the idea has helped our institution get to where many Nigerian universities have not gotten to.”

Alumni members of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) may not be bigwigs now but, “in the next five to 10 years, we are sure to have lots of them,” Spencer said.