ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
May 2014
Brandon Fry '12
You have recently been added to the Alumni board. What are you most excited for?
It has been a great honor to have been selected to serve on the Alumni Board. Since graduating in 2012, I have been reflecting on my time at Longwood and the experience that I had as an undergrad. I am looking forward to working with the Alumni Board to help plan programs and events to keep alumni stay connected to Longwood and their Lancer family.
During your time here at Longwood you were in Theta Chi. What was your favorite aspect of it and what did you gain most from it?
I joined Theta Chi in the Fall of 2009. I was always so impressed with the impact that Theta Chi had on our campus. One of my favorite memories of being a undergraduate member of Theta Chi at Longwood is serving my campus community. Theta Chi’s motto is “an assisting hand” and I know that while I was at Longwood our chapter jumped at every opportunity to assist our campus community. Joining Theta Chi left me with many memories and many friendships. I am currently still involved by advising the chapter by serving on their Chapter Advisory Board. I am excited to see the impact that Theta Chi will have on Longwood for years to come.
What made you decide to join the SGA? And what is your greatest accomplishment from being in it?
I decided to join SGA to better my campus community. I served many positions while on SGA from Senator to Secretary, to Vice President and finally President my senior year. As SGA President I feel that my greatest accomplishment was creating a more transparent relationship between the School Administration and the Students. For three years, I served as a student representative to the Longwood University Board of Visitors. I believe that during those three years I was able to cultivate relationships with school administration to better inform students of current campus decisions regarding, tuition, housing, financial aid, parking, etc. I believe that with this relationship the voice of the students was considered in all campus decisions.
Since you are a recent graduate, how did Longwood help you prepare for your future?
Longwood did a lot to prepare me for the future, but I am extremely grateful for the resources provided by the Academic and Career Advising Center. With the help from this office I was prepared to go before a interview panel to obtain a fulltime position. Receiving assistance from this office, I felt confident that I would receive the position that I was applying for. Two weeks after my interview I was offered a fulltime position two months before graduation.
What is one thing you miss most about being at Longwood?
I often think about the people I miss the most. Throughout my time at Longwood, I made many connections with the Administration and faculty. I miss meeting with them and receiving their guidance. The staff and administration really cared about your success as a student and preparing you for life after Longwood. I remember many meetings with Dr. Pierson discussing life after Longwood and my current academic success. I am so thankful for not only his words of wisdom but for all the faculty and staff that helped me along the way.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Longwood?
I remember receiving a CHI Commendation the spring of 2009. Receiving this commendation had a huge impact on my experience at Longwood. I served my campus community because I saw that students had the opportunity to make positive changes for the campus as a whole. Being recognized for my service to the whole was so rewarding. To know that I was making an impact for others changed my life.
Who was your favorite professor in the business school?
I was a business major for a short time while at Longwood before switching my major to Sociology. While in the business school I always found Dr. Melanie Marks’ lectures to be informative and fun. She knew how to make learning interactive and was dedicated to the success of her students. While I enjoyed my business classes, I decided that Sociology was the field that I was most interested in studying. Upon changing my major, Dr. Jake Milne took on the role as my Academic Advisor. I took many classes under the instruction of Dr. Milne. He was always interested to know more than just the name of his students. He made sure that I had the support I needed to succeed not only academically but professionally. I am extremely thankful for his passion of teaching and dedication to serving the students of Longwood.