Greetings and welcome to LATHAAA.
It is indeed my great pleasure to welcome you all to the Alumni Association of our great department and institution, LASU THEATRE ARTS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (LATHAAA). Not only is it a moment of happiness and reminiscence for us but also an opportunity to reflect on our learning and achievements.
Our Alumni have charted a new course and we are growing, this is thanks to the caliber of hardworking thespians we have amongst us – we could not be any prouder.
The Alumni brings back a lot of memories; but the day we left school to step into the bigger world, we realized what this institution truly means to us. Bidding farewell to one’s school is probably the toughest thing to do, and it is never easy to say goodbye.
Our present members are spectacular I need not say much for you to find out yourselves because they will have you reminiscing school days with jokes. We will travel to the depths of our memories and live the moments we have left behind. We shall dive into nostalgia and relish the best days of our lives. Is it the stressful rehearsal days, having to look for space for classes, and everything in a hands-on yet very personal manner.
Nostalgia is a tricky business! However, we played our parts “it wasn’t just a mere show” and we also feel very blessed to have experienced such delightful feelings. I have the honor to welcome you into;
1. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES: We will start with the obvious reason. One of the main purposes of alumni associations is to support a network of former graduates who will, in turn, help to raise the profile of the university. LATHAAA is not an exception to these facts. The platform is open to all graduates of LASU theatre arts students; LATHAAA offers a broader networking scope. And remember that with alumni associations, quality can trump quantity.
2.CAREER BUILDING TOOLS: One of the things I want you to know about LATHAAA is that we want you to succeed. And hoping that you will use your success to help other members of the alumni association and university, because successful graduates are a university’s best asset. In LATHAAA we have members post-career opportunities like RESUME WORKSHOPS, AUDITIONS; SEMINARS and ONLINE JOBSEEKERS; most of these services are offered free of charge to alumni members. One of the very things in our bucket list is a mentorship program. These can be great tools for building your career or finding ways to maximize your earning potential.
3. BENEFITS: In LATHAAA we aren’t just about jobs and recruiting new graduates but a community that offers all sorts of exciting perks – events, and other numerous things that makes us unique and dynamic. LATHAAA understands that even after graduation, our members continue to feel connected to their university, or associate a part of their identity with the institution. That’s why The Executives under my watch will continue to bridge the gap between ATAS-LASU (ASSOCIATION OF THEATRE ARTS STUDENTS- LASU) and LATHAAA, a way to keep our connection with the university. We have (in our calendar) special alumni social events, Insurance, HMOs, Loan scheme, Festival partnerships, Film, and stage production, etc. to mention a few. But be rest assured that with your corporations we will get to serve you best.
4. DUES: Like our mantra “We Are All We Have”. Remember, with all numerous opportunities mentioned; it can only be achieved and beneficial to everyone if we pay our dues. No organization can run and meet members needs without members giving their due diligence. The executives are making payment of dues stress free through a payment plan that will work for everyone. Bear in mind that for us to have policies in place; workable policies that will be beneficial to us all; we need to factor in our dues. So, if you’re looking for a way to maximize the benefits of LATHAA, being up to date with payment of dues is second to none.
I will not end this without talking about RESPECT. We all know that familiar saying “treat others the way you want to be treated”. In LATHAAA that is one thing we hold dear. Because we don’t know each other and coming from various years of graduation is one of the reasons we don’t toil with the word RESPECT. I don’t have to identify you to respect you. Jokes are welcomed but let’s know when to halt if it is not well received. The way we treat people reflects our true characters. Though it is often thought that respect is something that needs to be earned and that you can’t expect someone to be nice to you if you are treating them badly, it is also taught that we speak in a formal, respectful way to anyone who is older than us.
Today, my dear comrades, let us all open the windows of our mind, take a deep breath, and venture out into the land of camaraderie that we once shared. Let us keep aside the worries, reason together to make ourselves, our alma Mata proud. LATHAAA is our family, and we have every right to be here. Let us inspire each other to have a clear ethics, the courage to speak the truth, and the importance of being authentic.
Whilst I extend my warm respects, I once again welcome everyone of you.
Thank You.
Yours-in-Service,
Obi Martins.
PRESIDENT,
LATHAAA
