USC Y'all Campaign

Just wanted to pass on an interesting article from the University concerning our Alumni Programs. Even though Kate (my better half) is an alumni (2001), we don't follow as much going on around the University as we probably should. I was talking with a friend on Monday and he passed the story on to me. Here is the story from www.goupstate.com and the promotional video from USC.

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Spartanburg native Evelyn Ackermann is one of two University of South Carolina Alumni selected to be a "Face of Y'ALL," (Young Alumni Leaving a Legacy.)

The Y'ALL campaign selects graduates of the past decade who claim to be Carolina's biggest fans, who are passionate about their Carolina experience and want to represent young alumni.

Karen Nashatker Hinson and Ackermann were selected Y'ALL winners from among five finalists voted on by university alumni of the past decade who visited www.thefaceofyall.com to view their videos and read their essays.

Ackermann, who lives in Manhattan, N.Y., and Hinson, formerly of Aiken and now of Atlanta, will have opportunities to be a VIP at university events that might not be open to everyone; be featured in Carolina publications as the Face of Y'ALL, make decisions about young alumni initiatives at Carolina and be an official spokeswoman for Carolina Young Alumni.

Ackermann and Hinson have several things in common: both are 2003 graduates (Ackermann in anthropology); their parents are University of South Carolina alumni; and they belonged to sororities.

Since attending Carolina, Ackermann received a master's in business administration from New York University.

She chose the fast-paced life of New York with the goal of working in the field of international development and emerging markets.

She entered the Y'ALL competition, sponsored by the university's Office of Annual Giving, because she misses the university and her Carolina roots.

"There are Carolina alumni in New York and we get together, but I thought that the Y'ALL contest would be a great way to get back to my alma mater and stay connected," said Ackermann, a management consultant in strategy and operations with Deloitte Consulting LLP.

Ackermann's mother, Ruth Cate, earned degrees in education and law at Carolina. As a child, Ackermann wore garnet and black for Carolina-Clemson day "before I knew what it meant."

An Honors College student and member of Chi Omega sorority, Ackermann became captain of the Cockettes, the Carolina Dance Team. The team was in its inception while she was a student, so the chance to compete in national competitions was one of the highlights of her Carolina experience.

Inspired by her anthropology professors, Ackermann joined the Peace Corps following graduation to teach English in Bangladesh.

Her first month there, she was given the chance to dine with U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry K. Thomas.

Ackermann wore the national dress of Bangladesh every day, called the salwar kameez. She taught English to students of all ages in Chittagong, formed a Ladies' English Club, taught dance classes and was the first female member of the Rotary Club of Agrabad.

Ackermann hopes to return to Southeast Asia, possibly in the field of international development, which she describes as nation building through better access to water, food, health care, education and employment.

Ackermann and Hinson said it's important for young alumni to help with the continued growth and academic opportunities at their alma mater by giving back to Carolina with gifts. Even small gifts make a difference in the university's ability to provide scholarships, stipends and enhanced programs.