Student Alumni Ambassadors celebrate 30 years of service

For the past 30 years, Student Alumni Ambassadors have welcomed thousands of visitors to UNC Charlotte at venues across the campus and in UNC Charlotte Center City. They are easy to recognize in their “49er Green” blazers.

Recently, members of the organization gathered at the Harris Alumni Center for a special celebration.

Current and former SAA members were welcomed by Chancellor Philip L. Dubois at the event Friday, Oct. 11. Other distinguished guests included UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees Chair Karen Popp and former Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Chuck Lynch. Popp initiated the plan to create the organization at UNC Charlotte while forming her platform for her successful election as student body president in 1979. Lynch approved the creation of the organization.

“Lisa and I are deeply appreciative of the welcome they (student ambassadors) offer to our guests at Bissell House,” Dubois said. “They are a ubiquitous sight at so many events. There’s an urban legend going around that says they can pull your nametag for you, just by seeing your car pull into the parking lot. No doubt they are good, but perhaps not quite that good.”

Founded in 1980, the new organization was chartered formally in that year as the Student Alumni Association. In 1983, the SAA charter was officially renewed and the name was later changed to the Student Alumni Ambassadors. Today, the ambassadors number 26 members, including three freshmen, six sophomores, seven juniors and 10 seniors. Most are from North Carolina, but there are members from Georgia, Indiana and Washington, D.C. The students represent 21 different majors.

“It’s fitting that we hold this event at the Harris Alumni Center because in many respects, it brings the story to a full circle,” Dubois said. “The Student Alumni Association that Karen Popp imagined more than 30 years ago has remained tied to the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association but has evolved in purpose to an organization committed to welcoming the world to UNC Charlotte and providing a shining example of the quality of our students.”

View more photos on the University’s Flickr page.