After graduating from college, it’s only natural that young alumni turn their attention away from their alma maters and toward the next phase in their lives. For Bryan Brooks ’97, life after Wofford included receiving an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill, marrying Ashley Cannon Brooks ’96 and starting a family, and establishing a career in real estate finance in Charlotte, NC.
Married to a Wofford alum and living nearby, it was easy for Brooks to stay connected to Wofford and to the friends he’d made there. He also donated regularly to the college because he believed that, as the recipient of an athletic scholarship to play soccer at Wofford, it was important to give back.
But he found himself wanting to do more for the college.
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Bryan Brooks '97 with son Turner (4 years), wife
Ashley '96, and daughter Virginia (4 months).
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“At some point, you take stock of what’s important to you and Wofford was very high on that list,” he says. “Some of my reasons were purely selfish: a lot of it had to do with wanting to be back on the campus and wanting to be involved with something I loved and was a part of for so long. So I inquired about what I could do in addition to coming back for Homecoming once a year and supporting the college financially.”
“It is very gratifying when an alumnus or parent feels good enough about their Wofford experience to step forward and volunteer their time to the college,” says Charlie Gray ’72, Director of the Wofford College National Alumni Association. “In 2005, Bryan contacted us to offer his help in any way needed but especially in planning, promoting and hosting the wide range of programs offered by the college for alumni, parents and friends.”
Through the Alumni Office, Brooks became active in helping to plan and sponsor alumni events in Charlotte. “He’s been a major force behind the revitalization of our efforts to reach out to alumni there,” says Debbi Thompson, Director of Alumni and Parents Programs. “He’s dedicated and enthusiastic – a perfect example of what our young alumni can contribute to the school.”
When he was invited to join Wofford’s Alumni Executive Council in 2007, Brooks didn’t hesitate to accept. “We’re effectively the liaison between alumni and the school, and it seemed to be another great opportunity to stay involved to the extent that I can.”
“His loyal participation and support with our many initiatives serves as a sterling example for all Wofford constituents,” Gray says. “Bryan proved himself to be a proactive leader; a natural for the AEC.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of his work with the AEC has been serving as its representative in Board of Trustees Finance Committee meetings, Brooks says. “This committee includes some of the leading business leaders in South Carolina, and it’s fascinating to see these people who are enormously successful shape and manage the financial aspects of the college’s future. Even as an alum, you don’t understand the challenges that are faced as far as budgeting and investments are concerned. There are so many people behind the scenes that do so many good things for the school. It’s nice to participate in that and to have an appreciation for it.”
As he became more involved at Wofford through the AEC (and also as a member of the Terrier Club Board), Brooks realized other alumni were interested in developing a closer connection to the college, but were unsure how to do it. “This is something that the AEC has talked about in depth. A lot of alumni may not be in a position to write a check, but they want to do something.”
Working with AEC co-president Dorothy Acee Thomas ’96 and other council members, Brooks assisted in the creation of “17 Ways You Can Help Wofford Without Giving A Dime,” a list of volunteer opportunities in various campus departments and programs sent to all alumni earlier this year by mail and email.
“It basically says ‘Hey, we want and need you to support the college to the extent you can financially, but we also understand that many of you have life experience, expertise, and the know-how and willingness to support the college in other ways, too,’” Brooks explains. “A lot of them don’t know they can be a mentor for the Success Initiative, or read student resumes, or conduct mock job interviews.
“What we realize is that Wofford graduates are an enormous source of experience and knowledge, and they have an enormous amount of success. And to the extent that we can get all of those things to trickle back into the school and down to our students, the better off they’re going to be and the better off Wofford is going to be.”
According to Gray, 500 alumni have contacted Wofford as a result of the “17 Ways” mailing. The list of volunteer opportunities is also available on the alumni website. “It’s a very positive response, and we continue to receive inquiries.”
Brooks acknowledges that volunteering does require a time commitment – something that can be particularly hard for younger alumni focused on building lives for themselves. “It’s not easy for them. Life is complicated, and you have work and family and all the various things that you’re involved in. But what you find is that once you get involved -- and I know this is true for me – you get a lot more out of it than what you put into it.”
There are as many reasons for volunteering as there are alumni, adds Brooks, and there’s nothing wrong with being “selfish” about giving back.
“Once you graduate from Wofford you will always be tied to it, if for no other reason than you have a Wofford diploma. As Wofford rises, so does the value of your education. So to the extent that you can help support Wofford and make it the best it can possibly be, that will benefit you personally as well.”
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