Alumni Association Advisory Board Gives $10,000 to Enhance Students’ Experience

Above: The Alumni Association’s Advisory Board awarded grants to 14 campus groups this year, including the Asian Cultural “Boba” Club. Here, the K-pop dance group Thrice performs at the club’s Lunar New Year celebration. Photo by Nancy Sheehan.

Every year, the Alumni Association’s Advisory Board invests in the campus community by awarding grants that bring student-driven ideas to life.

This year, the board gave a total of $10,000 to 14 Worcester State University campus groups.

Among this year’s recipients, the Asian Cultural “Boba” Club received an $800 grant to enhance its signature Lunar New Year celebration, pictured above. Thanks to the Advisory Board’s support, the club was able to upgrade decorations, offer better prizes, and cover most food costs. The annual event—open to all students and catered by local Vietnamese restaurant Mint Kitchen and Bar—was a resounding success.

“Everyone was coming back for seconds,” said executive board member Justine Mai ’25. The club has seen attendance at the event grow every year, and Mai especially loves the opportunity to share her culture with fellow students. 

Among the other recipients of this year’s Advisory Board grants were the senior class, which received funding for the popular Party on the Eve on the day before Commencement; men’s and women’s track and field, to replace worn-out equipment; the university library, to provide study break treats during finals; and women’s basketball, for its annual Alumni Day.

Grants from the Advisory Board helped the cheerleading team travel to Florida this spring to participate in a national tournament. It helped the Muslim Student Association host memorable Iftar dinners during Ramadan. And it helped the Student Nurses Association purchase MP3 players that simulate auditory hallucinations—a valuable learning tool for future nurses to understand mental illness. 

“The university is so grateful for the Alumni Association’s Advisory Board and its unwavering support for our students,” said Suzanne Nebelung, associate director of alumni relations and engagement. “Through these grants, our students bring their ideas to life, enhance their educational experiences, and build lasting connections with alumni.”