The Missouri Southern Alumni Association is a key asset in maintaining the pride and spirit of the University. The Alumni Association offers a “connection for life,” keeping graduates affiliated with their University.

The Alumni Association has experienced much success with planning events such as Homecoming and restoring the Mansion. One component for the success of the Alumni Association is Lee Pound.

Lee Pound, director of the Missouri Southern Alumni association graduated from Southern in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications.

During her time at the University, she was very active in extra curricular activities. She was also layout design editor for the Southern yearbook and president of her sorority. She worked a semester on The Chart.

Her experience at Southern left an impression, and she’s been alumni director for 10 and a half years.

“I was working at the Freeman Health System when I applied for the position,” Pound said. She also served on the alumni board seven years prior to becoming alumni director.

“Its different everyday and a lot of times [it changes] hour to hour,” Pound said. “There are times when we have two special events in the same month or we’re continuously planning for homecoming and working on the magazine.”

The Alumni Association sponsors several events, including Homecoming and Legacy Day. They even host several Alumni Reunions throughout the school year.

“Homecoming is the biggest event we currently do. Every year brings back different alumni,” Pound said. “I always look forward to the different stories from the visiting alumni and how much fun they had when they went to school here.”

After 10 years, one of the Pound’s biggest accomplishments has been working with the strategitic committee and the Board of Governors with the Mission Hills Mansion renovation.

“It’s so good for Southern,” Pound said about restoring the Mansion. “And it finally gives alumni a home.”

After graduating from Southern, Pound lived in Texas and Little Rock, Ark., for awhile but eventually returned to Joplin.

“It was time to move back,” she said.

Upon moving back she worked as a volunteer and foundation coordinator at the Oakhill Hospital, where she also met her future husband.

Pound eventually made her way back to Southern, though.

“It’s home,” she said. “I love the atmosphere and you really feel like you’re making a difference.”