Offering family activities and bringing future Griffons to campus is the mission of Mama Griffs, the idea of Angie (Wright) Springs ’02 and Brandy (Samford) Meeks ’07.
The pair, who met when they both joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2011, started the group last fall to provide fun family activities for alumni parents and grandparents, and their children and grandchildren. The numbers attending their events have proven that it was a good idea.
In December, the Mama Griffs offered discount tickets to the theatre program’s production of “Annie” and brought Santa Claus to the student athletes’ Night Out on the Griffs. Since the first of the year, the group hosted a Valentine’s event at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Aspen Leaf Yogurt in St. Joseph, Mo. and an “Egg-cellent” egg hunt.
“We think we are filling a niche because we are seeing a lot of new faces,” Meeks said. She said when she and Angie plan events, they want the families to feel like VIPs when they come to campus.
“We’re proud of our degree and we want our kids to be proud to be Griffons. We want kids to say, ‘Wow, we really want to be a part of Missouri Western,’” Angie said.
Mama Griffs also gives Meeks and Springs an active role on the Alumni Association Board, which they feel is important for their children to see. “We want to be a good example for our kids of getting involved and volunteering,” Meeks said.
The two said they welcome more Mama Griffs who want to help with events, and they welcome alumni families to join them at coming events. Find the group at facebook.com/groups/mamagriffs or contact the Alumni Relations Office at (816) 271-5646. “It’s a great way to get involved at Missouri Western,” Angie said.
More family-centered activities are being planned for the fall and spring, so bring your future Griffs and join the fun!