This has been brewing in my mind for a while now… I’ve worked at Lees-McRae College for almost 12 years and I think it’s time to bring up a very sensitive subject. Drum Roll: Relationships.
Generally speaking, human beings engage in a variety of different relationships. For example, Parent/child, siblings, best friends, human/God, student/professor, alumni/college. What has been on my mind has been the alumni/college relationship.
I consider myself rather blessed to have been educated in the beautiful place from which I grew up—from Head Start (kindergarten didn’t exist then!) at Riverside Elementary, to Avery County High School, to the bachelor’s degree I earned at Lees-McRae. I had student loans, I paid them off, and I have been working since I graduated. My education gave me the skills to do whatever I wanted to do career-wise in my life. In other words, I’m grateful to Lees-McRae for my education and for my parents who did so much in support of my dreams and goals. Surely I’m not the only local alum that feels this way.
As an alum, what is your relationship to Lees-McRae? Did you have a great time? Was a great time the only substance of your relationship with Lees-McRae? Did your experience at Lees-McRae lead to personal success? Are you proud to be an alum of Lees-McRae?
Relationship with a college melds into feelings of pride for an institution. Although I work hard for Lees-McRae, I donate monthly to the Lees-McRae Fund, I am a paying member of the Bobcat Club and I have developed many friendships because of my 26-year relationship with LMC. One of the ways I like to show my pride and loyalty to LMC is wearing an LMC sweatshirt or tee when I work out at the local YMCA. When I’m over there, I see many local Lees-McRae alumni with their App State or some other ACC or SEC apparel. Rarely do I see local LMC alumni wearing anything LMC.
I wonder why that is? Really! I wonder and would love to hear a viable explanation. My feeling is that it is something of a conundrum. But if you have any thoughts, I’d love to understand.
The other day after work, as I approached the parking area at the YMCA, I was pleasantly startled to see one of our new Bobcat mini-buses! Sure enough, when I entered the wellness center, the women’s lacrosse team was in there working out. Each one had on LMC apparel. What an incredible presence these student-athletes were, and I was filled with pride for my college. It was fabulous to experience, and I wondered if any of the local alumni had noticed? Thank you coaches and student-athletes for being a part of the greater community and for showing pride in your LMC experience.
I think I know why. It is the availability of LMC merchandise. The last time we were at LMC for homecoming, the bookstore was very limited in the amount of LMC sweatshirts, t-shirts, and hoodies. The ones that were in stock were extremely overpriced and the ones that were not were not in style and looked aweful. Also, they only carried one alumni t-shirt???? Why is this? Why no LMC alumni license plates, why no LMC full size flags, why no large stickers…I would buy them! Why is the LMC bookstore the only place you can purchase LMC merchanidise as well….why not carry it in the ASU merchandise store in Boone. I just think that the college could vastly improved the bookstore and the visibility of the bookstore, along with the merchandise. I say have the business student come up with a new marketing plan for it…..just my thoughts!
Women’s Lax knows how to represent! I wear my LMC stuff all of the time!
I agree availability of LMC gear is an issue. Is it even sold in Banner Elk anywhere other than the Bookstore? I have one sweatshirt (D. won it @ golf tourney), but I have to admit, I haven’t looked either
My relationship with LMC is a paradox. I have done a lot of thinking on this since I read your Blog the other day, Michelle. I will share my thoughts about this in a personal email. I don’t want to offend anyone, nor cast a bad light on LMC because of my personal feelings. Hopefully the relationship can be mended… LMC truly is a magical place to live and learn.
Being a professor’s kid, I pretty much grew up at LMC. I have many wonderful memories growing up there. I truly do and always will love the college for so many reasons…