Linnie S. Carter
Alumna chooses to ‘pay it forward’ by giving back
As the vice president of college advancement for Lord Fairfax Community College in Middletown, Va., Linnie S. Carter, APR (B.S. ’92/School of Mass Communications; M.S. ’98/School of Mass Communications) practices what she teaches. A proud Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, she continuously gives back to her alma mater, and talks about why it’s important to stay involved after graduation.
Why is it important for you to stay involved as a VCU alumna?
We are ambassadors for the university and walking billboards. A university and a college are only as strong as their alumni base and we are the people who know the school best.
For a school that did so much, it’s important for me to stay involved. It’s key to give back and pay it forward — those are core values for me.
What was it like to be honored as the 2005 African-American Alumni Council Alumni of the Year?
It was an honor. It’s pretty remarkable and very humbling. There are alumni doing great things all over the world and they chose me; I didn’t take that lightly.
What guidance do you give students as ways to give back?
They need to give back even if it’s just $5. Colleges and universities are graduating more and more people, so the funds being contributed should be increasing. We all stand on the shoulders of other people who came before us. We need to give back to make sure VCU is around for the next generation of students.
Linnie S. Carter and John J. “Ski” Sygielski, Ed.D., former president of Lord Fairfax Community College.
