PreAlumni
#PAP: Pre-Alumni Programme
A network of aspiring Matie alumni
The Stellenbosch University Pre-Alumni Programme (SU PAP) aims to engage current SU students with a view to generate a sense of pride and belonging between the student body and the University and its staff, other students and alumni. Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) division seeks to work closely with the current student cohort to establish and foster a lasting relationship that would lead to a seamless transition for students from being pre-alumni to joining the global network of SU alumni.
The Pre-alumni Team aims to reach at least 2 000 students from each year’s cohort of newcomer students with the following outcomes in mind:
- Build Matie community and Matie pride.
- Establish a giving culture.
- Ensure a seamless transition from being a student to being an alumni.
- Increase alumni participation.
Maroon Mondays (Varsity Cup)
Monday, 14 February – Monday, 25 April
The #MaroonMondays campaign aims to bring cohesion and a sense of community among SU alumni and current students and staff in supporting our Varsity Cup team during the rugby season. On Maroon Mondays, alumni, current students, and friends of the University will watch the match from their home and wear their Maties merchandise to show that they are behind our team.
This will stir up good vibes and a sense of belonging – the famous ‘Matie gees’ – among rugby supporters and everyone who has ‘Maroon pride’.
Careers Café
August 2022
People’s career development is determined not only by the qualifications they have obtained, but also by the soft skills – such as communications and conflict management – that they develop as well as their workplace culture and the society in which they live.
The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world, and also in South Africa. Nevertheless, it created an opportunity for the DAR to present a more focused Careers Café Programme for SU students. This focused programme helps students develop essential skills for the world of work and prepares them for a changed and changing post-pandemic world.
Pre-Grad Day
28 July 2022
Pre-Grad Day is a career day type of event for discussing different aspects of post-graduation life: what to do when job hunting, how to look for a place to stay, aspects of financial planning after having lived in a university residence, etc.
Homecoming
8 – 10 September 2022
SU’s Homecoming and Family Weekend is an opportunity for alumni to revisit their alma mater, connect with old friends and experience the campus. We believe it is importance to establish Homecoming Weekend as an important event on alumni’s calendars. Our best chance to do that is by raising awareness of this initiative among pre-alumni while they are still on campus.
Giving Day
6 – 7 October 2022
In just 24 hours, the SU community will change the future of our students – and the world. Your donations will change students’ lives and make a difference to the causes that you are passionate about. Donate to a campaign that resonates with you or towards our Bridge the Gap Annual Fund. Change a life by creating opportunities. Activities will take the form of various and diverse games, such as spinathon, tree decoration alongside Victoria Street, walkathon, cycling, tennis, movie marathons and soccer matches.
Graduation Season
December 2022
Graduation is the last phase of a student’s career. It is a time to celebrate the end of an era, the success of completing your academic career, the bonds formed throughout university life, and the pride and joy of finally having your degree conferred on you. It is a bittersweet moment, though, as some young alumni will go elsewhere to fulfil their dreams while others will stay on campus to pursue postgraduate studies. It is a positive time, too, as this is the moment when you become a member of SU’s alumni network. The Pre-alumni Team’s Graduation event provides the first building block of a special bond and social capital. We start off with a glass-off and a tour of the Alumni Centre to celebrate the transition of becoming a young alumna or alumnus. You become a member of the Alumni Club by virtue of graduating from SU.
Become part of the network
You can become part of this network by joining www.matiesconnect.com under Pre-Alumni. Alternatively, get in touch with Viwe Benxa at vbenxa@sun.ac.za.
