NEVER Too Late, Even At 71! - AIU: Online College

ATLANTA ALUMNI GIVE BACK TO RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIESOn Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 the Atlanta Alumni Chapter continued to give support to the local community during the3rd Annual Ronald McDonald House charity bake. The volunteers came with their sleeves rolled up and a smile on theirfaces to bake assorted goods for the families and employees of the Ronald McDonald Charity House. The volunteersbaked cookies, cupcakes, and cinnamon buns; which everyone loved! The staff opened their kitchen allowing the Alumnivolunteers to bake away. While the Alumni volunteers walked away with a sense of pride; the staff and families of RonaldMcDonald House were very thankful and appreciative. This will continue to be an effort for not only Atlanta Alumni but theAIU Atlanta campus as a whole.ATLANTA ALUMNI CHAPTER COLLECTS TOYSFOR THE ATLANTA CHILDREN’S SHELTERThe Atlanta AIU Alumni Chapter collects every yearto donate to children in need. Together they send outcommunication to graduates and current students tosee if they can donate anything to theChildren of Atlanta’s Children Shelteraround Christmas time. Toys arecollected at the AIU Atlanta Campusand then dropped off at the location.swing, this organization will not be left out of the AtlantaAlumni Chapter’s thoughts. The chapter will continue todonate for the cause.“This is definitely something the chapterand the campus try to do each yearas a way to continuously give back tothe community,” says Lindsey Rogers,Alumni Relations Manager for AIU.There were also alumni who couldn’tmake it to the campus to donate atoy and directly donated funds to theshelter. This is always another option forpeople who may not live in the Atlanta,Georgia area. With the New Year in fullSpring 2013 AIU INK7

Events continuedAIU LONDON – 2012 GRADUATION CEREMONY Written by: AIU London Valedictorian Itay DafnaFor everyone, graduation day is oneof the best moments in life. To me itsymbolized the end of an era. Afterall, embarking on a higher educationprogramme abroad meant so muchmore than just going to university – itwas a unique experience of starting tolive in a foreign country, communicatingin a different language and adaptingto new cultures. The education is onlya part of it. My time at AIU proved tobe one of the best in my life so far. Thesmall campus, its location, the peopleand most importantly – the teachers,have all contributed to my experience.Graduation day officially sealed thisexperience and this unforgettableperiod of time. A lot has changed.Friends graduated whilst new studentscommenced their studies, and newprofessors joined whilst others left.Graduating meant that my time tomove on with my life has arrived. It isdefinitely a scary moment, especially8AIU INK Spring 2013during times of economic hardship.But I did everything I could to maintaincontinuity after completing my studies.In a world becoming more andmore competitive, it is important forgraduates to differentiate themselves.This is by no means easy – gettinggood grades simply doesn’t cut itanymore these days. We need to proveto prospective employers and otherinstitutions that we can add valuebeyond academic skills. Students reallyneed to take on initiatives to engage inother activities that contribute towardsthe development of other skills whichcannot be acquired through studies.AIU London has tons of opportunitiesto do such things, and I tried utilisingthem as much as possible during mytime there. “The Republic” is a greatexample of a new student initiative (itwasn’t my idea) – students enjoyed agreat party and the ability to networkwith other like-minded individuals.The organisers gained great planning,interpersonal and time-managementskills. Everybody wins.I am very sad to have left AIU, but Istill feel very close to the school andits community in general. I am in touchwith many friends I met during mytime there, and I also keep in touchwith lecturers. Even though I am nowstudying for a master degree at adifferent institution, I still live in theMarylebone area as it feels like home,and AIU is an inseparable part of thatfeeling. It’s now time to look forwardand really see things through. Decisionsmade now will be even more crucialfor the success of my future. In a fewmonths I’ll start working and gettingaccustomed to a new culture (corporateculture this time) and meet new people.I want to wish AIU students everysuccess in their current studies andfuture endeavours, and a very happyfestive season!

HOUSTON ALUMNI CHAPTERDONATES 154 LBS OF FOODOn February 21st the Houston Alumni Chaptercontributed five boxes of nonperishable goods to theWest Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM). The driveresulted in 154 lbs. of food and/or hygiene items for theorganization.WHAM’s food pantry provides food to over 12,000individuals each year, and all donations are used toprovide for those who are less fortunate in the community.The chapter hopes to continue its efforts with thisorganization for years to come.The Houston Alumni chapter had been collecting goodsfor two weeks before the drop off date. The drop offlocation was at the AIU Houston campus. This was trulya great effort by the graduates, students, and staff of thecampus.Spring 2013 AIU INK9

Events continuedNEW YEAR, NEW CHAPTER GOALS FOR THE HOUSTON ALUMNI CHAPTERThe Houston Alumni Chapter kicked off the New Yearwith its first meeting of 2013, on January 29th. Alumnienjoyed networking and light appetizers before gettingdown to business. Some of the items that were discussedduring the meeting were what this chapter can do for its10AIU INK Spring 2013volunteers. The Houston Alumni Chapter volunteers it’stime within the community. But it also makes sure to havea great time each year with some kind of annual socialevent. It’ll be exciting to see what the Chapter plans forthe New Year!

COLUMBUS, OHIO CHAPTER BAKES FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIESThe AIU Columbus, Ohio Alumni and guests bakedbrownies and cookies at the Ronald McDonald HouseCharities-Columbus, Ohio. Upon arrival, the staff took AIUAlumni on a tour of the facility and did a presentation aboutthe families who reside at Ronald McDonald House andtheir children who are patients at Nationwide Children’sHospital. It was amazing to see how they provide foreveryone with the in-house warehousing of food andsupplies. They also provide entertainment and a host ofactivities for all ages.After the event, everyone enjoyed some delicious pizza atthe Mellow Mushroom Pizza Baker Restaurant, 2170Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240. Toys weredonated to Ronald McDonald House Charities.Thanks to all who traveled near and far to volunteer in theAIU Cookie Bake and your donation of toys to RonaldMcDonald House Charities – Central Ohio. Special thanksto Lindsey Rogers, Alumni Relations Manager at AIU forsupport in making this event successful.HOUSTON ALUMNI VOLUNTEER WITH THE HOUSTON FOOD BANKThe Houston Alumni Chapter visited the Houston Food Bank on Saturday, October 20, 2012. The chapter helped toassemble tons of food boxes for families in the Houston and Galveston areas. Along with other volunteers, the HoustonAlumni chapter compiled about 38 pallets of food boxes. That is enough to provide over 3,000 meals! The chapter hopesto give back to this cause in 2013 as well.Spring 2013 AIU INK11

Events continuedSOUTH FLORIDA ALUMNI GATHER TOYS FOR A GOOD CAUSEPlaying the role of Santa Claus,making a difference in the community,and putting a smile on many facesare great rewards to the soul. Duringthe Christmas holiday 2012, theSouth Florida Alumni Chaptersponsored a toy drive at the AIUSouth Florida campus. This was tocollect toys for the Toys for Totsnon-profit organization. Our Federalwork study students wrapped ahuge box and placed it in the lobbyas the drop off location. The SouthFlorida Alumni Chapter matchedeach toy received.This is an organization that is heldclose to the hearts of the SouthFlorida Alumni Chapter. This event issomething the Chapter tries to doeach year and finds it a necessityduring the holiday season.Although the AIU South FloridaCampus is closing, the South FloridaAlumni chapter will keep thisinitiative on-going throughout theyears.Thank you to all who participated inmaking the South Florida AlumniChapter and Toys for Tots event ahuge success!About Toys for Tots:The Toys for Tots foundation wascreated at the behest of the U. S.Marine Corps and provides supportin accordance with a Memorandumof Understanding with theCommander, Marine Forces Reserve,who directs the U. S. Marine CorpsReserve Toys for Tots Program.The Foundation has supported Toysfor Tots since 1991.Goal:The primary goal of the Foundationis to deliver, through a new toy atChristmas, a message of hope toless fortunate children that will assistthem into becoming responsible,productive, patriotic citizens.12AIU INK Spring 2013

AIU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & HOLIDAY SEASONAIU South Florida Alums made a difference this pastweekend. The first day of December 2012 was filledwith Joy, happiness and Christmas spirits. The Alumsof AIU South Florida and friends donated Christmastrees, ornaments and lunch to Children’s Harbor. Wevolunteered and spent time with over 17 children in needof positive role models. During that day, we assisted thechildren with the Christmas trees decorations. After along hour of decorating 3 trees, their energy boosted tothe roof. They were ready for the next activity, which wasActionary.This board game is a fun, energetic and laughter-filledgroup and family game for all ages. We divided thechildren into two teams, Red and Green. The rules forthe game were simple. Each team member took turnsdescribing words, places and phrases with only actions.After the Green team won the game by 2 points, we wereall ready for lunch.The children, house parents and the Alums sat in theliving room of house B next to the Christmas tree andenjoyed several slice of pizzas. Later that afternoon aswe said our goodbyes, the children hugged and thankedus for thinking about them. The Alumni Association andFriends from Converse had a great time. It felt goodshining our lights on others.Thank you to all who attended the event and shared theirChristmas spirits.Spring 2013 AIU INK13

FeaturesAIU ALUMNA KNOWS THAT “WHAT COMES FROM THE HEART REACHES THE HEART”Robinne D. Alexander, Executive Director of Strahan Global Outreach Inc.B.B.A. 2010 in Organizational Psychology & DevelopmentMBA, 2013 in International Business.Since 2005, Robinne has been working in the not-for-profitsector where her mission has been to help those in need.Starting off in Atlanta, GA she was a personal assistant toCee Cee Michaela (from the hit sitcom show on BET/CWNetwork, “Girlfriends”). Later, she started a non-profit calledGodzgirl Network Inc. that focuses on abstinence from sex,drugs and alcohol.In 2008, after relocating back home to Texas, she starteda 501(c)(3) called America’s Born 2 Lead Network Inc. Thefocus of the network is to teach life-skills lessons to youthand young adults.Last July, she was given the opportunity by Gene Strahan,the father of former New York Giant DE Michael Strahan,to be the Executive Director of their family’s foundation,Strahan Global Outreach Inc. The foundation’s goal isto continue the families’ humanitarian efforts in the U.S.as America’s #1 not-for-profit furnishings warehouse forfamilies in need.Robinne has also done business symposiums for the U.S.Department of Justice “Weed & Seed” and financial literacycourses for Habitat for Humanity. Her projects have beensupported by Fortune 100 and 500 companies such asCapital One Bank, Wells Fargo, HEB Grocery Store, CocaCola, Jasons Deli, Beaumont Housing Authority and AT&T.Plus Robinne has worked with these major sponsors:Valero, Motiva, LULAC, NAACP, GodzGirl Network, U.S.Dept. of Justice, Habitat for Humanity, Buffalo SoldierNational Museum, Be The Change Inc., Service NationCoalition, Ben’s Kids, Dell, ING, Brinker Security Systemsand Anheuser Busch.American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment or salary.Each person’s experience is unique, your story may be different.14AIU INK Spring 2013“I chose AIU because they were accredited plus the staffmade applying for the school stress free and easy.”“Right before I started at AIU, I realized that I had thehorrible character trait of not finishing things for whateverreason. Now I’ve learned to never quit something thatpromises a reward at the end and to learn which battles areworth fighting for. And finishing my education was a fightthat I agreed to contend for.”“The love of people and the joy that I get out of helpingand contributing to an organization’s success was passeddown from my mom and dad. Serving people is what I dobest. For example, some people are good with playingbasketball. Well, I’m good at raising awareness abouthow kids playing sports helps to decrease issues withjuvenile diabetes -- and then raising money to purchasethe basketballs and materials the kids need to succeed!Hopefully my life can make enough of an impact on ourworld that my example will inspire and blaze new trailsfor those who are genuinely fulfilled by living a life ofservice.”

AIU ALUMNUS WILLIAM L. THOMPSON HAS ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT“ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WHEN YOU PERSEVERE!”William L. Thompson; retired Military, Law Enforcement and AIU graduate at age 71BBA – Business Administration – 2011When it comes to perseverance, William Thompson hasa lifetime of experience. During his long and successfulcareers in the Military and Law Enforcement he would oftentake college courses to further his occupation and education.granddaughter who’s living with us attending her third yearat Wichita State University. I hope that by my generatingcompetition within my own family, we will become a family ofmany degrees. It can be contagious!”After retiring, William who was never content being idle,found himself looking for new challenges. His wife suggestedhe go back to school and get a degree in BusinessAdministration, something he had always wanted to do. Hissearch for a university that offered Bachelors Degrees inBusiness Administration led him to AIU.“I have been asked why I chose a degree in BusinessAdministration. The answer is that I have enough LawEnforcement background and training that I don’t need adegree in Criminal Justice. In fact while taking a class inCriminal Justice and Juvenile Law at the HutchinsonCommunity College, I wound up teaching the class. Thesame thing occurred when I was taking a Criminal Lawcourse being taught by a Judge; I ended up running thatclass because I knew how to research Criminal Law. My onlyother reason for a degree in Business Administration was toopen a business with my Son and Granddaughter. Together,we needed a business plan and the three of us were gettingdegrees in business so we could run the businesssuccessfully.”“After I started researching on the internet I decided on AIU.Over the years between my careers in the military and lawenforcement I had amassed about 40.5 credit hours. AIUput it all together for me and I signed up for a program thatfit my needs, schedule and objectives. Another reason forgoing back to school was that I was in direct, but friendlycompetition with a daughter after she received the firstcollege degree in the Thompson family. I have anotherdaughter in her 40’s who’s obtaining a degree to becomea teacher while my oldest daughter will soon receive herMaster’s Degree in education. I also have a grandsonattending a seminary to become a youth minister and aWhen William graduated in May 2011, he had just turned 71a month beforehand. Also, he and his wife were celebratingtheir 50th wedding anniversary. This is truly a great way tostart a new chapter in his life!American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment or salary.Each person’s experience is unique, your story may be different.Spring 2013 AIU INK15

Features continuedAIU ALUMNUS TERRENCE TY MANNS KNOWS “THERE’S NOTHING MOREEXHILARATING AND GRATIFYING THAN TAKING THE HARDEST, TOUGHESTCOURSE OF ACTION AND ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS.”Terrence “Ty” Manns, AIU graduateBA – Communications – 1990MBA – Operations Management - 2006A few years ago, Terrence or Ty retired from the UnitedStates Army after 23 years of active service. He immediatelyembarked on a whole new career path that would challengehis many talents.By 2005, Ty was running a division as interim division headafter his boss left for another company. After 18 months as“interim” and winning the company’s largest single militarycontract ( 125m) in over 100 years in business, he askedfor the “permanent” title and was told he could not get thejob because he didn’t have an MBA. That year he startedto search for a program and discovered AIU. AIU offered Tythe industry-relevant programs and flexibility he needed toachieve his goal.“One year later I walked in with my diploma (and another 60 million of new business) and was told I could have theposition, but would have to accept a lower salary (basicallythe salary I was making at the time) because I just receivedmy MBA. So after nearly 30 months, 185 million in newbusiness (as the interim, under paid leader), I took my newlyearned MBA to the market and earned my first VP job anddoubled my salary! Thanks to AIU.”Like many successful people, Ty believes in giving back.He is the founder of SAVE1000 , an organ donor programfocused on increasing organ donations within the minoritycommunity. Ty is also the Director of the Organ DonorMinistry at New Birth Outreach Church, Columbus, GA. Plushe’s a volunteer film lecturer at Columbus, State University.American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment or salary.Each person’s experience is unique, your story may be different.16AIU INK Spring 2013Currently Ty is the Managing Director of TAG and isresponsible for the operations and management of a 30million dollar business unit. His Daily responsibilities includeoverseeing product development, manufacturing, businessdevelopment, growth and sales.“What’s great about running TAG is helping America’smilitary men and women. TAG is the leading manufacturerof tactical nylon products for the Department of Defensepersonnel, specifically the United States Special Forces.Every day, my company does something to help a soldier,airmen, marine, or seaman execute and achieve missionsuccess. We often hear about our products from theusers in the military, a parent, spouse or child that one ofour products actually helped save a life. Nothing is moresatisfying or gratifying.”Ty’

AIU ATLANTA WALKS TO FIND A CURE AIU Cares, the philanthropy committee that started in AIU Atlanta, put their best foot forward in October. The team of 18 with 16 active fundraisers/walkers greatly exceeded their goal of 35,000 by raising a total of 44,790 for the Atlanta Su