HSU Insider

Board of Young Associates "Investing in Meaning" During Annual Retreat

• By Dave Coffield
• Posted July 31, 2008 4:22 PM
• 0 Comments

HSU's Board of Young Associates (BYA) meets for the 2008 summer retreat 1-2 Aug, planning strategies for the new school year and welcoming new members. Jenni Sims Pulley, class of 1998 and president of the BYA, leads this year's group through two days of professional development and board business.

The theme, "Investing in Meaning," examines the influence each member has on the meaning of their Hardin-Simmons University degree, the meaning of a Christian education, and the meaning of the HSU experience. The retreat begins with dinner and a presentation by the creative performance improvement team of Michael Daggs and Kevin Tutt. Tutt and Daggs will guide board members through a strength finder assessment and suggest techniques for learning to capitalize on individual personal strengths.

The Board of Young Associates was established in the early 1960s, and met for the first time in 1964 during Homecoming. The Board is comprised of young men and women who are under the age of 40 and three or more years past their graduation date. These alumni are dedicated to assisting the University in recruitment, scholarships, fund raising, public relations, and alumni activities. In recent years, the Board has become involved in assisting with student placement, career counseling, and leadership development programs. Members serve with an eye to future leadership roles at HSU in capacities ranging from the Board of Development, Board of Trustees, and other volunteer positions.

This year, the board also plans to clarify its objectives and the individual accomplishments of its members by introducing a three-year challenge designed to guide members to achievable goals they can reach individually and collectively. The challenge is a 14-point compendium of specific ways members can actively support HSU now, as well as in the future. The challenge spans activities from college fair representation, to connecting with potential donors, and networking with church contacts. Members are asked to commit to at least three challenge items and will receive a special "thank you" when they report success.

Officers for the 2008-2009 year are: President Jenni (Sims) Pulley, Speech Instructor, Tarrant County College, of Keller, Texas; President Elect Clint Buck, manager of Financial Planningand Reporting, Abilene Christian University of Abilene; Vice President Jay Lester, Director of Fine Arts, Victoria ISD, Texas; Vice President Wayne Lisenbee, Assistant Director of Water Utilities, City of Abilene; Vice President Jon Sibert, Chiropractor, Water Street Family Chiropractic, Kerrville, Texas; Secretary Kathryn (White) Mitchell, Director of Education, Old Jail Art Center, Abilene; Chaplain Jennifer (Mitchell) Dunn, Director of Ferguson Dorm, HSU; Parliamentarian Dave Cone, Speech Teacher, Hebron High, Texas; and Immediate Past President Brian Kickhoefer, Account Manager, Pinnacle Sales & Merchandising, San Antonio, Texas.