Archived News |

July 31, 2013

ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ alum Devin Girod hired as alumni affairs director

The University of Louisiana at Monroe announces ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ alum and Clarks native Devin Girod as the new Director of Alumni Affairs.

He will begin his new position on Aug. 1.

ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Executive Vice President Stephen Richters said he is pleased to welcome Girod to ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥.

"Both the alumni board and I have every confidence in Mr. Girod. Devin will rise to the challenge and work with the Alumni Association as it evolves and supports the university in the ever changing environment of higher education."

Girod said he is looking forward to the new opportunity.

"I have the unique perspective of an undergraduate student, a graduate student, a graduate assistant, a former PREP staffer, and an alumnus of ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥. Therefore, my past six years have been all ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥. Now I will have the ability to better the university I have grown to love and show pride in – this is a special opportunity."

Girod has several plans for the next few years.

"I want to identify the components our alumni are looking for in their regional events," he said.

"I am hopeful this will encourage ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥'s alumni base to attend their regional events and get excited about all the positive things happening on our campus."

As an alumni relations graduate assistant, Girod enjoyed learning the job and watching the full-time employees engage with their positions.

Regarding his appointment, Anne Lockhart, interim executive director of ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Foundation and Alumni Relations, said, "Devin has literally learned his job from the ground up, and he is now ready to hit that ground running. We welcome this fine ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ product to our team, and we look forward to working with him in building upon the rich and diverse tradition shared with our alumni and friends throughout the growth of this wonderful university."

Girod obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication in 2011 and recently completed his Master of Arts in Communication.

Through these programs, he said he gathered all the skills necessary to thrive in his new position.

"The position combines my passions for networking, writing, and general forms of communication. It entails everything I have prepared for in my studies, internship, and graduate assistantship," Girod said.

"Communication is important in this position, as the job consists of relationship building and maintaining the relationships I have with our alumni."

Ronald "Scott" Higginbotham, president of the ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Alumni Association Board of Directors, said of Girod, "There is no doubt that with Devin's personality and drive, he has the capabilities to work with the younger ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Warhawk generation of alums as well as with the older ones like me. He genuinely loves ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ and it certainly comes through when conversing with him and seeing it in his actions. I would like to ask all ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ alums, ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ alumni by choice, friends of the university, students, ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ employees, and administrators to join me and the ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Alumni Board of Directors in welcoming Devin to his new position. We wish him success of the highest nature in the years to come."

Girod's new position is pending approval by the UL System Board of Supervisors. He replaces Tommy Walpole, who was appointed the ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Executive Director of Auxiliary Enterprises.

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥.