Fredonia College Foundation names junior Meagan Allers to board
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It was that association with non-profits and interest in raising money for them that sparked Allers’ own interest in the Fredonia College Foundation. She recognizes the importance of raising money to benefit students. “I’d really like to learn more about the alumni and how they can continue to give to the school and the kinds of programs the foundation has,” she said. |
A commitment to become fully engaged in campus life at SUNY Fredonia, made on the cusp of her freshman year, has elevated Meagan Allers, now a junior, to the student representative seat on the board of the Fredonia College Foundation. “I am honored to be named to such a high position and have the responsibility to convey the students’ needs on campus to the board,” said Ms. Allers, daughter of Thomas and Laurie Allers of Williamsville, N.Y.
In just two years, this Childhood Education/Early Childhood Education major has become deeply involved in numerous community service projects and campus organizations.
She has held leadership positions with Fredonia for St. Jude (president and co-president), which raised more than $25,000 in the last two years for Memphis, Tennessee’s renowned St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; the Fredonia Student Association Board (sophomore class president); Faculty Student Association (treasurer) and Alma Mater Society (president).
Allers is also a member of the Kappa Delta Pi educational honor society and a student representative on the SUNY Fredonia Volunteer and Community Service Board. During her first two years on campus she planned and hosted a “math-a-thon” held at Dunkirk’s School No. 7, and has been a volunteer at numerous events, including the Buffalo News Kid’s Day, Fall Sweep and Maple East Fun Night.
The potential for Allers to become a campus leader was apparent to Vice President for Academic Affairs Virginia Horvath from the beginning. “She took the initiative to come to my office to ask me about leadership opportunities, as well as ways to develop her own potential. I was impressed by her confidence, her curiosity and her eagerness to be involved and do a good job,” Dr. Horvath said. “Her work with the FSA board, with the St. Jude program and with many other campus activities has been outstanding, and I’m sure that she will contribute hard work and useful perspectives to the Fredonia College Foundation.”
Service to non-profits is an Allers’ family tradition. “Both of my parents are on different non-profit boards, so I became involved with community service at a young age,” Allers explained. “I would go help out at soup kitchens and at nursing homes.”
It was that association with non-profits and interest in raising money for them that sparked Allers’ own interest in the Fredonia College Foundation. She recognizes the importance of raising money to benefit students. “I’d really like to learn more about the alumni and how they can continue to give to the school and the kinds of programs the foundation has,” she said.
“When I came to college, I knew that I wanted to get involved — not be a number, but be known for something,” Allers recalled. She was inspired by a freshman convocation speech that stressed the value of such experiences and leadership roles to potential employers.
“So I just took that as my personal goal to get involved in things and joined the (Residence) Hall Council, Student Association and got involved with Fredonia for St. Jude.”
Allers has also participated in an internship leadership development workshop for high school students at Fredonia High School and two field placements for students in the Dunkirk City School District. Her career aspirations lie in non-profit organizations and education.
