PHOTO BY AMANDA GARCIA | Becky Stogner steps into the new job of alumni director this month after spending 10 years in similar positions. Only a month in, Stogner has made plans to engage alumni in the University and helped with the University’s Centennial Celebration in Austin.
Ashley Miller
Assistant Editor
Becky Stogner, new executive director of the WT Alumni Association, began her duties on March 2.
Stogner was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. and gained a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Missouri Baptist University.
She resides in Amarillo with her husband and their two children.
Before coming to WT, Stogner served as the director of annual giving and then the director of development for the Don and Sybil B. Harrington Cancer Center.
“I had been in development and funding for 10 years,” Stogner said. “This position at WT was close enough to development, but not too close.”
Stogner has also worked with the St. Louis Central Institute for the deaf as a campaign and development associate.
As alumni director, Stogner oversees the alumni board and hopes to establish alumni chapters across Texas.
“My goal is to engage a lot of our alumni to help shape our future,” Stogner said. “I also want future students to realize the importance of staying connected to the University.”
She was selected by the WTAMU committee comprised of alumni and University personnel.
Stogner is replacing J. Frank Kiker, who resigned in December.
She will work with and report to Dr. Neal Weaver, vice president for institutional advancement.
“Stogner has a good background and wants to engage the alumni and volunteers in activities and projects that get them engaged in the life of the University,” Weaver said. “We want people to stay connected to the University.”
Stogner will be working closely with the annual fund, which is a fundraising division that attempts to raise small gifts.
For the upcoming year, the annual fund is putting together a mass marketing approach to fundraising to identify and cultivate giving from those that will possibly participate.
“It’s been a whirlwind so far but I’ve enjoyed getting to know people,” Stogner said. “I’m still involved with the learning process but also had a lot of fun working on the Centennial Celebration.”
The Centennial Celebration will kick off at 11 a.m., March 31 in Austin with the reading of a resolution on the senate floor of the Texas Capital.
Following, there will be a reception at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
This resolution will recognize the establishment of the University and will commend those who have contributed or been a part of the University since 1910.
The WT Alumni Association will hold a mixer at 5:30 p.m., March 30 at Hill’s Cafe in Austin.
These activities are just the beginning of numerous events that are planned to honor the 100-year mark of the University.
“It’s going to be a good mix to have the alumni association and institutional advancement working together,” Stogner said. “I feel like I get the best of both worlds. There excited about it, we’re excited about it and it’s a good opportunity for me that should also be a fun learning experience.”
Aside from being the new alumni director, Stogner currently serves on the board of directors for Camp Alphie, a weeklong camp for kids who have or have had cancer.
She also works on the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a newly trained disaster relief volunteer.
“We’re very excited to have Stogner, and I hope everyone will give her the support she needs to accomplish her goals,” Weaver said. “We really want to see growth in the alumni association and hope that these relationships build over time.”