In just two weeks, we will welcome Aggies back for Homecoming 2019. As I interact with alumni during homecoming week, I am moved by the joy our alumni, friends, and family feel as they visit their old stomping grounds, participate in reunions, connect with former college roommates, and relive traditions.

Homecoming week is September 22-28 with most alumni activities taking place during the weekend. We hope you’ll join us for A Day of Giving, the Big Blue Classic Golf Tournament, the Aggie Family Reunion, True Aggie Night, Running of the Bulls 5k fun run, Homecoming Parade, Ag Day BBQ and the big football game against Colorado State University. Additional events and details can be found on the homecoming website.

I hope we might be able to connect on campus in the near future—hopefully during homecoming! Thank you for continuing to be true blue. Thank you for proudly saying, “I’m an Aggie.” I hope you enjoy this issue of Aggie Insights.

Kim Larson
Associate Vice President
Alumni Engagement

PS- Join us for this year’s Aggie Family Reunion. Watch the video!

Calling to adventure seekers of any kind! Join your fellow Aggies on a trek to Peru, and don’t miss out on an experience of lifetime. Let alumni Rachel and Steve von Niederhausern introduce you to Peruvian sites and culture while helping build infrastructure to change the lives of a local village. This adventure includes favorites like touring Machu Picchu and a wealth of cultural experiences. Included meals and transportation, as well as age-appropriate activities (age 8 and up) make this a family adventure of a lifetime.

MORE INFO

Sheldon Browning (435) 797-7399 sheldon.browning@usu.edu

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Please join us as we celebrate Utah State University’s birthday and recognize members of the Old Main Society, USU’s premier giving society. Do you know an Aggie that has given their all to Utah State? Please submit nominations by September 30 for awards to be given out at the event:

• Distinguished Alumnus Award
• Distinguished Service Award
• Spirit of Old Main Award
• New Generation of Old Main Award
• Emeriti Old Main Award

A description of awards can be found on the nomination website. For questions, please call 435-797-3326.

The Founders Day & Old Main Society banquet is open to all alumni and friends. The event is held the evening of March 13, 2020 at the Taggart Student Center on the USU Logan campus. Registration for the event will open in early 2020.

New board president for the USU Alumni Association, Laurel Cannon Alder, was born and raised in Logan, Utah. Laurel is the daughter of two USU professors, the granddaughter of another, spouse to a fellow Aggie, and mother to three Aggies. Laurel remembers growing up on campus, both in her parents’ faculty offices and attending school at Edith Bowen Laboratory School. Needless to say, her upbringing and parenting have nurtured a close connection to USU.

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Aggie Chapters are Back! Roughly a year ago the USU Alumni Association announced they were bringing Aggie chapters back nationwide. Aggies everywhere, enthusiastically raised their hands and volunteered to represent the chapter in their city or area. Presently, there are nine fully recognized chapters. These chapter are buzzing with activities and events to advance careers, meet new friends, and relive Aggie memories. Be sure to check out what a few of them have been up to in the last few months. Hey, you could even start your own chapter!

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Are you following us on Instagram? Maybe Facebook? How about Twitter? If not, you should! Congrats to these users who passed along some of their favorite Aggie Homecoming traditions with us and we wanted to share some of them with you. We hope we see you on September 27 & 28 in Logan, Utah!

Instagram:

@usubands: The Scotsman! Hands down! (Well, actually hands up… to the right… to the left… to the right… to the left…)

@ryan_shores_: True Blue Aggie Fridays! I think it’s a fun new tradition and I love seeing all the Aggie gear in town and around campus

@normruss: Aggie Homecoming- marching in the parade and ushering at the football game on the old, original Romney stadium and wearing my huge Aggie “mum” corsage to the dance!! Go, Aggies!!

Facebook:

Tracy Barnett: My favorite tradition is beating BYU

Alysia Malmstrom: Besides the ones you mentioned, I have some great memories of ice blocking and sledding down Old Main. It might be frowned upon officially, but I think I saw evidence it still occurs when I visited in August. The hill is great for sledding. Of course, I am grateful for the bales of hay added at the bottom that broke my sled, but stopped me from sliding into the street.

Sher-Kurt Shields: We love taking our kids to Homecoming each year, from the parade in the morning to the football game at night. And we always hope the game goes well enough to chant, “winning team, losing team, winning team, losing team” at the end. We love our Aggies!

Mick Lisa Davie: Renewing our True Aggie status by Old Main! 29 years and going strong! #AggieSweethearts

Twitter:

@Murica_95: Ice blocking down old main, eating beto’s at midnight after a hardcore study sesh, hating Michael Lyons, day on the quad

@Arizona_Aggie: Lighting the A blue, the Scotsman, I believe that we will win, sneaking into the steam tunnels, crazy train at basketball games

@CodeMonkey76: Sledding down Old Main hill, getting a Marv ‘N Joe from Hazel’s Bakery in the TSC & being in the student section at Aggie basketball games

For over 100 years, True Aggie Night has been a tradition that brings USU’s campus and community together. However, due to the nature of the Block A, where True Aggie Night takes place, it has proven difficult for students, alumni, and community members with mobility limitations and disabilities to participate in this time-honored tradition.

The Student Alumni Association is asking for aid in the purchasing of an accessible ramp system for the Block A, so that all Aggies have a chance to participate in this tradition and create their own beloved memories of becoming a True Aggie!

It’s time to ask for a raise; are you ready?

1. Either during your annual review OR after completing an important project, set-up a meeting with your boss to discuss a raise.
2. Demonstrate your accomplishments and the added value you bring to the organization.
3. Keep the focus on your work/goals and not your finances.
4. Know what increase you are hoping to get; do your research-a 3% raise is the average.
5. Give your boss time to consider your request and schedule a follow-up conversation.
6. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a raise and consider other rewards (bonuses, leave, flex time, etc.).
7. Watch the video to hone your own style and don’t hesitate to reach out to USU Career Services when you’re planning your next career move.

For more tips on asking for a raise, watch Barbara Corcoran's advice.

Utah State is pleased to have many incredibly talented graduates. One of which includes RaeAnne Thayne, who recently published “Coming Home for Christmas,” a story about overcoming trials and tragic losses.