Charlie Vienne, who has served as interim director of alumni relations since Sept. 1, has been named to that position permanently after a search process that involved more than 20 applicants.
Vienne said he will focus on increasing membership in the Alumni Association, increasing participation at tailgate events and receptions throughout the state and establishing area alumni clubs in cities and counties around the state.
He would also like to see more alumni come back to campus.
“There are so many alumni who have not been back to campus in many, many years,” he said. “If we can get them back on campus just once, they will fall in love all over again with this great university.”
Vienne served as assistant director for alumni relations from June 2006 until his appointment to the interim position. He previously worked as assistant athletic director for external relations at Northwestern (La.) State University, from 2002-06.
Prior to that he was division manager for special facilities for the city of Shreveport, La. (2000-02), athletic business manager at Northwestern State (1997-2000), athletic facility manager at
Northwestern State (1995-97), and marketing and promotions assistant at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (1993-95).
He received his master’s degree in sports management from Georgia
Southern University in 1993, his bachelor’s in business administration from Northwestern State in 1991, and has done post graduate study in accounting at Northwestern State.
Despite not having attended SHSU, Vienne said, he already feels like a real Bearkat.
“My family and I have fallen in love with Sam Houston and Huntsville and have really settled in here and are proud to call this home,” he said.
He and his wife, Kristy, who is director of Bearkat OneCard Services, have a two-year-old daughter, Jensen.
“I look forward to working very closely with the Alumni Association Board of Directors, the deans, faculty, staff, and administration at the university, as well as alumni and friends of the university,” Vienne said.
He also said he wanted to thank those involved in his selection, including the screening committee, the alumni board, Vice-President for Advancement Frank Holmes and University President James F. Gaertner, as well as his family, for their support.
“I look forward to the challenges and making the SHSU Alumni Association something our alumni can be proud of and want to be a part of,” he said.