How long can I expect to feel this excitement for my work as Alumni Director?

  How long does a honeymoon last? When I got married, ours lasted about a week. My youngest daughter married last May and her honeymoon to Fiji (the week after the coup) lasted two weeks and could have lasted a lot longer depending on the political climate at the time. During the “really olden days” honeymoons could last up to a year. Young couples would go to Europe to do the grande tour, or they would stay with relatives for their first year of marriage. Can you imagine?

The reason I’m asking is that I feel like I’m on a honeymoon here at Family and Consumer Sciences. Everything is new to me and it’s all wonderful! I’ve met so many of our FACS alumni and I’m beginning to recognize names of folks I’ve not yet had the pleasure of visiting. I’ve found a new friend with each introduction and that’s been delightful!

I’m becoming more familiar with the many different events that are sponsored by the FACS Alumni Association. The thought of Tailgate frightened me at first. Al-though I’ve planned and pulled-off dozens of alumni events, I’ve never hosted more than 400 red-and-black clad football fans at one time. But, Tailgate was terrific and I can’t wait for next fall. (Sept. 15, 2001‹Mark your calendars now!)

The Alumni Board of Directors is a great team. President Gena Tyler and her officers are dedicated to this college and want the very best for not only the students here, but for each of you as well. We have a slate of new officers who will begin serving at the end of February and I look forward to setting goals for the association with them.

I feel like I’m on a honeymoon with the faculty and staff in Dawson. Each and every person has been so kind and helpful as I’ve settled into my office and begun adjusting to the FACS way of doing things. I can imagine some of my craziness has taken some adjusting to, also!

Students? Well, they’re just about the same all over...just about. Eager young souls going into classes...but I have to say I find something really special about FACS majors. The vast majority of these kids know what they want to do with their lives. They have goals and dreams of making a difference in this world, and I believe they understand the adults here in Dawson Hall are eager to help them make those dreams come true. They want to succeed, and we all want them to do just that! It’s been fun getting to know these kids and it’ll be even more fun to see where life takes them.

So, how long can I expect to feel this excitement for my work as Alumni Director? How long does the honeymoon last? Did I say that when I married my husband our honeymoon lasted a week? Let me correct that. Our trip to Williamsburg, Va., took about a week...but the honeymoon is still going on 30 years later.

That’s what I’m planning for my relationship with Family and Consumer Sciences!

Ruhanna Neal is Director of Alumni Relations. She can reached by email at rneal@fcs.uga.edu or by phone at 706/542-4881.