Ambassadors continue to keep up image

At many university events, it is not uncommon to find a group of students wearing black blazers, ushering or handing out programs. They are part of a unique and elite group.

The UMHB Student Ambassadors are chosen to portray the university’s mission.

“They play a role to communicate the history, heritage and current events,” said Vice President of Student Affairs and Ambassador sponsor, Dr. Steve Theodore.

It was chartered in 1994 to distinguish a group of students to be representatives of the university to its constituents.

The people in it are truly ambassadors. They are “emissaries of the place from which they come,” Administrative Assistant of Student Affairs Joy Childress said.

Often the responsibility placed on these individuals goes unrealized by fellow students. Common tasks Ambassadors perform are handing out programs, mingling among people and running the elevator during home football games.

Some of the assignments may seem small, but each little act makes an impact, Theodore said.

“Graduation is definitely one of the most enjoyable events for an ambassador because you get to see so many family members, faculty, staff and students come together. Being able to manage these large groups of people is a very demanding job,” Ambassador vice president Joshua Hobratsch said.

“The Sanderford building dedication was also a very enjoyable experiences. Showing off the amazing new structure to guests was so much fun. Getting to meet new people and converse with them is wonderful.”

Ambassadors are called upon to do more than meet and greet guests. They are also asked to speak, pray and read scripture.

They are chosen to sit with trustees at university events and convey the ideas and principles UMHB is based on and converse about their own experiences.

Theodore said they must have the “ability and desire to tell others about the great things going on” at the university.

Because the image of the school is important, students who are nominated for a slot as an ambassador must adhere to certain criteria.

“We are looking for various types of students to balance out the group, so I cannot say that we are looking for one particular type of student,” Theodore said.

Factors such as a love for UMHB, appropriate GPA, credibility among their peers, a love for God and availability to serve when called upon are considered.

“We attempt to maintain a balanced group of ambassadors, meaning a similar number of males/females, similar distribution of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and wide variety of majors, interests and personalities,” Theodore said.

The group consists of 18 people, nine men and nine women.

The current members are Dean Shirley, Katie Potts, Courtney Cooksey, Grant Hickman, Kevin Davis, Danny Lacouture, Luke Beasley, Danielle Dahmann, Jenna Felechner, Shaun Felechner, Lindsey Harkrider, Joshua Hobratsch, Tatenda Tavazive, Audrey Chumchal, Dennis Greeson, Jessica Phillip, Martha Sicking and Jeremy Williams.

The wardrobe of ambassadors, whether dressed up or down, is a defining characteristic of the group. The official uniform includes black blazer, white button-down long sleeve shirt, khaki pants, black shoes, ambassador purple and gold tie and name tag. Students dress casually in polo shirt, khaki pants and name tag.

When chosen to become part of the group, students find it an honor.

Hobratsch said, “It has been a true joy being an ambassador for UMHB. The job has given me a huge sense of responsibility, which I have greatly enjoyed. Showing off the university to guests, faculty and alumni has been a great honor.”