Contact:
Leah Seupersad, 404-413-1354
University Relations
When Georgia State University officials began revamping The 1913 Society, GSU’s presidential ambassador program, last spring, they weren’t sure where to begin.
“We couldn’t even determine when exactly the group was founded,” said Chandler Brown, manager of presidential communications and advisor to The 1913 Society. “There was little record of the organization anywhere.”
That’s all changing. In the past few months, the society has overhauled its image, launching a campus-wide publicity campaign, forming an advisory board and recruiting a new and diverse group of high-achieving students.
“The image of 1913 is really changing, and changing quickly,” said Eric B. Reynolds, a member of the group’s seven-student advisory board. “The group has been around for a while, but people are just now taking notice.”
The 2011-’12 crop of students – mostly upperclassmen with at least a 3.0 GPA – are among the best and brightest students on campus, Brown said, noting that he and a group of students spent weeks last spring interviewing nearly 100 applicants for 28 spots.
“These students bleed blue in everything they do – academics and leadership especially,” Brown said, “But beyond that, they are passionate about spreading the message of Georgia State, and doing it with a smile every time.”
Throughout their year of volunteer service, 1913 Society members act as hosts at campus events attended by President Mark P. Becker, such as commencement and football games at the Georgia Dome, performances at the Rialto Center for the Arts and a number of functions in the University Student Center.
“It’s more than just working hard and having a lot of fun doing it,” said 1913 Society member Shavonne Verdree. “It’s about being an ambassador for GSU, expressing all the good that’s happening to those on our campus and in our everyday lives.”
For the first time this year, the group is holding monthly meetings to track their progress, discuss recent and upcoming assignments and talk about recruitment and marketing efforts for next year. They also have occasional social and service activities.
“We’re going to work a lot better as a team when we’re under pressure if we know each other, our strengths and weaknesses, when we’re not ‘on the clock,’” Brown said.
Members say they are honored that people are starting to notice them around campus wearing their signature black suits and custom-made blue 1913 Society ties and scarves.
“Before now, people knew that we were in 1913, but no one really knew what that meant,” said second-year member Michael Oloyede, a senior marketing major. “Now they do.”
For information on The 1913 Society, visit www.gsu.edu/1913.
Sept. 6, 2011