By Scott Westerman – Head Servant – MSUAA /Advancement
One week ago tonight, I was driving through Indy, heading toward a post midnight arrival in East Lansing.
Since then my first week as head servant for your MSU Alumni Association has been a whirlwind. Learning the lay of the land, re-aquainting myself with campus, getting to know the 20 people who make up our lean, mean, alumni machine, running through the processes that make me an official member of Team MSU, signing up for my locker at Men’s IM, and beginning to lay the groundwork for the best-in-class alumni / advancement organization that President Simon, Bob Groves and I will most surely help build. All these are the things that I crammed into the past seven days.
I got to witness history. On Wednesday, our best-in-class MSUAA Student Alumni Foundation put together our first ever alumni Izzone. I’ve written elsewhere in this journal about that extraordinary experience.
On Friday, I gave my first official speech as an MSU employee. Thanks to Gary Mescher, I was able to preach the social media gospel to the good men of the Grand Rapids YMCA Service Club. Later that night, I met the alumni team from MSU’s superb College of Osteopathic Medicine. Together we watched the Spartan Icers dismantle Lake Superior State, and my new friends advised me on all things healthy.
On Saturday, another historic event. Suzy Merchant’s Women’s Basketball team played Ohio State before the third largest crowed ever to witness such a contest. The #16 Spartans dominated the Buckeyes in the first half and came within three points of an upset. And the more than 12,000 Merchant Marines in attendance were proud. Thanks to Shelly Appelbaum for the hospitality! Later that night, I got my kid fix, hanging with brother John Hill and his wonderful family while we watched MSU race past Iowa on the Big Ten Network.
More proof that the stars have truly aligned to make this dream job come true for Colleen and me. Spartans Carole and Don Lick generously let us house sit for them while they drink up vitamin D sunshine in Florida. It’s a gorgeous place, close to campus and yet far enough out to be a respite when needed.
Coming up during week number two:
I begin my daily student outreach, working my way through every Residence Hall at mealtime. MSU’s student dining has improved vastly since my day and while the price is still a great bargain, I’m eager to feel the energy radiated by our Institution’s most important customers. The kids.
I’ll enjoy my first “Dinner with the Dean” on Monday, with my good friend Pam Whitten from MSU CAS
Our SAF prepares for another run at the national mascot competition. Sparty has been a repeat winner in this annual event.
We’ll talk with State News ace reporter Emily Wilkins about our hopes and dreams and visit Coach Comley‘s Tuesday radio show (come join us at Reno’s East at 1130).
We’ll launch our first “This Week in the SpartaNation” video report. It will evolve into a weekly look behind the scenes at MSUAA. You’ll meet the people, get up close to the many programs and events MSUAA offers, and we’ll take you to some of the places you used to frequent when you were a student, so you can see how much has changed… and how MSU’s commitment to educational excellence hasn’t changed.
And.. Attention Atlanta Spartans! I’m headed your way later this month for your food fight.
Future Senator John Blutarski: “See if you can guess what I am now? A zit! Get it? I just popped!”
Got feedback? Give it to us straight on Twitter.com to @MSUScottW. Or write me via Scott@Spartanology.com.
