Left to Right: Alyssa Blakley, Debbie McEown, Ucher Dent
THOMASVILLE, Ga. – In the year of Thomas University’s 75th anniversary, its Alumni Board of Governors (ABOG) is getting a new spark at the hands of new faces in new positions. Alyssa Blakely, the current president-elect, will lead the new-look board with eyes set on generating innovative change and leading dynamic spaces for alumni to celebrate and communicate.
Blakely will be joined by Debbie McEown and Ucher Dent as new members of the board. They will each bring a unique set of skills and experience from their individual careers to ABOG. By joining forces with the sitting members, these three plan to turn their visions of an alumni network with deeper connections, greater opportunities, and more events into a reality.
The board’s first initiative has already been launched: the “$75 for 75” Alumni Giving Campaign. In celebration of TU’s 75th anniversary, alumni are encouraged to donate $75 to support their alma mater. All contributions will directly benefit the TU Student Emergency Fund, providing critical assistance to students facing unexpected hardships and ensuring they have the support they need during challenging times.
During her four years at Thomas University, Blakely found that the close connections between instructor and students played a vital role in her success. The supportive, tight-knit community provided relationships and opportunities that helped her overcome challenges and reach graduation. Having professors who worked with her one-on-one showed her the value of personalized support and mentorship. Reflecting on her experience, Blakely shared, “One of the biggest reasons why I’d like to go back and support” Thomas University is these relationships.
As ABOG president, Blakely aims to leverage the close-knit nature of a small school to benefit both alumni and students. Her top priorities include expanding the board by adding new members to share responsibilities, streamlining tasks, and planning more events. Additionally, she plans to introduce a student representative role to increase campus involvement and ensure future alumni are aware of the many opportunities within TU’s extensive network.
McEown, a 2004 graduate with a degree in rehabilitation studies, is not a new face to ABOG, as she has served on the board before, but she is bringing a renewed passion for supporting the TU alumni network. As a student, she was most impacted by the close relationships she built with professors, stating, “They helped me shape who I was and who I am.”
During her time working in the athletics department, she developed similar connections with student-athletes, reinforcing her appreciation for TU’s tight-knit community. This experience deepened her dedication to the university, inspiring her return to ABOG. “I’m excited,” McEown said, looking toward her return. “I’m excited for the next two years.”
Dent, an employee of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Development, is the third new member, who brings strong coordination and administrative skills to the board. She will act as the secretary of ABOG, where she will primarily be responsible for taking minutes, keeping records, and creating schedules.
Beyond her administrative duties, Dent’s deep-rooted connection to the Thomasville community will be a valuable asset to ABOG. She has extensive experience coordinating and organizing local events, including job fairs, health fairs, and Project Cradle Care–a free baby shower for families in need. A leading advocate for African American culture for South Georgia, Dent is committed to using her leadership and event-planning expertise for ABOG to strengthen community engagement and highlight the importance of service.
These three new members will collaborate with the sitting ABOG members to form an innovative and dynamic committee. Blakely’s first mission is to bridge the gap between students and alumni. “I think there’s a disconnect that we need to address by education and being more present on campus, as well as getting more involved in student activities,” Blakely said. That is why she plans to implement the student representative role during her presidency. She says that an active student member of the board will serve as a gateway to increase its visibility on campus, allowing the board to show current students the value of ABOG and the broader Thomas University alumni network.
These new ABOG members will also seek to bring a greater sense of community to the board and alumni network. “The board is looking to make positive changes, be creative and innovative in our approach, and do new things to build community, not only within the board and school but also with the community as a whole,” Dent said. ABOG’s method of serving the community may be fresh and innovative, but these positive impacts on communities aren’t anything new.
Past, present, and future Thomas University alumni have contributed decades of service to their communities that have since woven together a rich tapestry of both history and tradition. The new-look alumni board will focus on strengthening connections and introducing new ideas within the university’s vast alumni network. These efforts will create lasting impact, ensuring the alumni network continues to develop and support the community of Thomas University for years to come.
Lieutenant Colonel Kevin D. Ingram is the Senior Army Instructor for the Thomas County Central High School Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program.
