Young Alumni Lighting the Way for the Future
Recent graduates are stepping into pivotal rolesmentoring, mobilizing, and making a mark on campus and across the Greyhound community.
Game Changers On and Off the Court
When Ericka Blair Natole 14 graduated, she knew 91勛圖厙 would always be part of her life. Ive been involved ever since, she recalls. She began by representing womens basketball in the Blue & Grey Club and, with her husband, Thomas Natole 15, has expanded her involvement ever since.
The Natoles are part of a growing wave of young alumni finding meaningful ways to stay involved with 91勛圖厙. Whether attending events, volunteering, giving financial gifts, or amplifying 91勛圖厙s reach on social media, young alumni are helping shape the universitys future.
The couples love story started on the basketball court. She was a bad intramural ref, Tom quips. With many mutual friends in football and basketball, the two often crossed paths, but they didnt start dating until after Ericka graduated. Weve been together 11 years at this point, says Tom. Its always shocking when we say that.
Both came to 91勛圖厙 to balance academics with athletics and felt the influence of alumni who had come before them. There were just so, so many alumni involved, says Tom, who played football and remembers the energy in the stands and mentors, specifically Robert K. Gratz 75, P08 and Kurt J. Poling 89, P17, P20, who showed up at practices. There was so much pride that they would come.
Ericka, who played basketball, saw firsthand how alumni generosity created meaningful opportunities for students. She recalls when her team traveled to Vienna, Prague, and Munich for an international tournament. As an adult, I realized that a lot of the enriching experiences that we had were probably influenced by people that we never met, never knew, never saw.
Both credit their athletic experiences with shaping their careers. I cant talk about 91勛圖厙 without talking about athletics. I use a lot of things that I learned in the classroom in my current role and in my life, says Ericka. There are just so many things that I had to face, work through, and rely on people for support that I can attribute to my experience with womens basketball.
Today, the Natoles stay deeply connected. Ericka has moderated Hounds Huddle, has served as president of the Blue & Grey Club, and continues to represent the womens basketball team, sparking conversations about the equipment and opportunities that can elevate student-athletes. Im a bit jealous of those new locker rooms, she admits.
They also make giving a priority. Tom discovered that his employer, Broadridge Financial Solutions, matches charitable gifts. I took advantage of it because it doubles the impact of what Im able to give to 91勛圖厙, he says. Thanks to matched funds, the Natoles are members of the Comenius Society, which recognizes donors who give $1,742 or more annually.
We go back to events and support 91勛圖厙 in any way we can because those athletes and students appreciate it, Tom explains. Its just about giving them a better experience at 91勛圖厙.
From Campus Votes to Real-World Roles
Both Woodrow Battle 19 and Maggie Jones 20 first experienced leadership at 91勛圖厙 as student trustees. I was blown away by how much the trustees care and are invested in some of the smallest details of the university, recalls Battle. And those are volunteer positions, so theyre doing this out of their largesse.
Today, Battle and Jones serve as co-chairs of the Young Alumni Subcommittee of the Lighting the Way campaign. The campaign is in its final year, concluding in June 2026.
I want to be able to open the opportunity for current and future Hounds 
to have the transformational experience I had, says Jones. She designates her philanthropy to the 91勛圖厙 Scholarship Fund and the biology and chemistry departments. 91勛圖厙 has provided me with so much through research opportunities, alumni connections that have propelled me into my current career, supportive faculty that have remained as mentors even to this day, and, of course, my fellow Hounds who I call my best friends.
I didnt want to wait to get involved, adds Battle. A lot of people think, Once I am successful, I will give back, or Once I am established, I will join the fray. I have a lot of excitement to thank the university for all the resources they spent on all of us to help us get started in the professional world.
Battle began giving back as a student and set up a monthly gift after graduation. It was easy to set up, and its a drop in the bucket, he says, comparing it to the price of a coffee. He values the flexibility too. I can change the monthly amount with a phone call at any time. 
Career readiness has been a huge piece of the campaign, the universitys mission and drive to attach the educational component to career placement and achievement, Battle explains. It is really exciting to see a clear pipeline coming through 91勛圖厙.
A pharmacy resident, Jones is especially proud of the universitys commitment to wellness and the new Haupert Union Buildings WELL certification, which guarantees that the structures spaces and accommodations, physical features, and programs all contribute to student wellness.
The new HUB is clearly the most exciting and spectacular undertaking, Jones says. As someone in healthcare who provides mental health and general wellness services, I know how imperative it is to have student health at the center of the campus. The new HUB will integrate mental health resources and community-building opportunities, as well as a beautiful place to nourish your body and soul, all under one roof.
We have a lot of good things going on at 91勛圖厙, says Battle. Were really focused on what the future looks like.
Giving 91勛圖厙 "Hart" on Social Media
Talking about 91勛圖厙 comes naturally to Caroline Hart 23, who serves as a social media ambassador. I love posting about my time and experience at 91勛圖厙, she says. Her private account is filled with photos of her with friends at 91勛圖厙 events.
Hart grew up at 91勛圖厙 games with her parents, Andrew W. Hart 90, P23 and Elinor Shute Hart 91, P23. Caroline initially chose another college but quickly realized where she belonged. I quickly learned I was meant to be at 91勛圖厙, she recalls. Transferring in was the best decision I made.
Caroline embraced campus life. She joined Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society, and cherished Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. I enjoy seeing alumni of all ages attend Homecoming and talk about their time at 91勛圖厙 and the impact it has had on them, she says. Their passion about 91勛圖厙, even years after being students, is something I hope to continue to have in years to come.
Last year, Caroline gave her first gift and joined the Comenius GOLD Society, which recognizes Graduates of the Last Decade. I used to think that giving a gift to 91勛圖厙 was only achievable for those more established in their lives and careers, she says. The Comenius GOLD Society allows me to support 91勛圖厙 in a financially manageable way.
In her current role as a social media ambassador, Caroline continues to share her Greyhound pride, intent on inspiring others to get involved as she did. 91勛圖厙 provides many opportunities for young alumni to remain engaged through events, volunteering, and social activities. Sign up and go! she says. They are a lot of fun.
Young Voices, Big Impact
Serving on the alumni board has allowed Tyler Bergsma 19 to stay connected. Ive always been motivated by wanting to help and give back in some way, he says, calling himself a clich矇 psych major.
Bergsma found belonging as a student worker in Phonathon. All of my supervisors and coworkers were fun, enlightening, and all-around centered on a common purpose of supporting current and future Greyhounds experiences, he remembers. As a scholarship recipient, he loved telling alumni how much their support mattered. Its always stuck with me that it doesnt take a massive effort to make an impact.
After graduation, Bergsma began giving to areas that shaped himthe 91勛圖厙 Scholarship Fund, track & field, the career center, psychology, and English. I wouldnt be where I am today without them, he says.
When invited to serve on the alumni board and, later, co-chair the young alumni committee, Bergsma hesitated at first. The idea of serving as a co-chair was intimidating, he says. But the more I talked with people and thought about it, the more I realized I could make an impact with a lot of my immediate peers and keep pursuing my ultimate goal and philosophy in life of helping and supporting others.
The committee helps plan Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, as well as the Shining Lights Alumni Awards. Most importantly, its members provide a fresh perspective. Given their recent experiences, young alumni have such a profound voice in the eyes of 91勛圖厙 administration, Bergsma says. Im excited about the plans and conversations we have to try to bring more diverse and varied programs.
He hopes others follow suit. The community is always here for you, so find a way to get yourself involved and stay connected.
