20 years ago, about 175 well-equipped young men and women were entrusted with the mantle to become servant leaders in the market place, during Daystar’s 19th graduation ceremony. The same men and women are being honored as they share in the university’s achievements and successes during the 39th Graduation ceremony this year.
Daystar University has played a major role in shaping lives, giving birth to great leaders in the society, and the class of 1997 has evidently shown this transformation. Most of the members of this class are making a difference in their fields of operation, all over the world. This is one of the pillars of the university; encouraging the students to become servant leaders. A few examples to reckon with include, Rt. Hon. Anthony Lino Makana Speaker, National Parliament, South Sudan, Mrs. Phyllis Mutua, Finance Manager, Daystar University, Dr. Monica Kerrett, Senior Faculty, Strathmore Business School, and Dr. Rosemary Kowuor, Head of Communication Department, Daystar University among many others.
At Daystar University, we honor our alumni of 20 years back, this year, Daystar University Alumni Association (DUAA), organized a series of events, building up to the graduation ceremony, to honor the class of 1997 and reunite them. An introductory breakfast was organized to bring them together and reminisce the days of campus life. The breakfast was held at Crowne Plaza on 27th May 2017. The breakfast was attended by 16 members of the class of 1997, Class of 1996 Representative Mr. George Menge, the VC, Dr. Timothy Wachira, DUAA board Chair Mr. Malele Ngalu, and the Corporate Affairs Manager Mrs. Damaris Kimilu among other Daystar staff.
DUAA also organized a luncheon for the class which was held in Daystar University, Athi River campus. The event was graced by 17 members of class 1997, three of whom are Daystar University staff, Dr. Rosemary Kowuor, Head of communication department, Eric Kadenge, patron Shine Fm and Finance manager, Phyllis Mutua. Some of the class members came with their children and spouses.
The program rolled out with a tour around the Athi River campus, from Science Complex, library, DUPA Hostels – Grace & Imani, Hope Centre and Studios. In between the tour, the class also visited the Daystar Founder Dr. Don Smith, where they cut a cake to mark the celebration of meeting and greeting the founder.
The tour around the campus culminated into a tree planting session, where all members of class of 1997, were involved in this ground-breaking activity. Some members, who came with their families, enjoyed taking part in this activity together. After the tree planting session, lunch was served at the ICT area, around the fountain and members sat together to eat and savor the delicious meal over a brief conversation on how the class of 1997 can be involved in giving back to the university.
A remarkable statement from Eva Nyamai, one of the members of the class of 1997, “Daystar University has contributed in a major way to our success, who we are now, we can attribute to the good education, Christian values and mentorship that we received. We would like to pass on this knowledge, through mentoring the young generation.” She proceeded to say that they would like to show the current students the kind of potential that the university has and how they can explore it, to become the kind of leaders who will have an impact in the society.
It is remarkable, that the university has been able to connect and keep the alumni on the loop through DUAA. The Alumni Association has been majorly involved in ensuring that the alumni are connected and networking, for the purpose of growth as well as self-development, through its database which helps in tracking Daystar University alums throughout the world. Through the different alumni chapters that have been formed; Sudan and Rwanda among others, are ways in which the association has been able to create a connection among the alumni. WhatsApp groups have also been created for different graduation years to ease communication as well as connect with alumni who graduated the same year, for instance the class of 1997.
The Association has many other activities lined up, scheduled to take place later in the year, and hopes to achieve its objectives, the main one being, connecting with the alma mater. Alumni, are encouraged to register for membership, in order to be recognized as part of the alums, and to broaden the network.