By Shirley Wilson
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

The Alumni Association gathered Nov. 16 for a casual, relaxing evening with family and friends to learn about astronomy and wine making at the Haak Winery Star Party in Santa Fe, Texas.

Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society members hosted the star gazing party and provided telescopes to view the universe. Haak Vineyards and Winery hosted the wine tasting and provided educational wine making tours. The Alumni Association provided sandwiches for the members, and their family and friends who attended the event.

Alumni Relations Coordinator Lori Melendez said the event is a new type of alumni program that focuses on the different alumni groups in the community by offering a nontraditional university function. She added that the university received 60 RSVPs from alumni for the event.

"With over 70 percent of alumni within the greater Houston area, this type of event allows us to reach out not only to the alumni, but to the community," Melendez said. "It allows alumni from Galveston to north Houston to attend and, because of the JSC Astronomical Society Star Party, it brings in the whole family."

With a clear sky, only light from the moon obscured the view of nearby celestial bodies. The large telescopes were programmed for early viewing of the moon, stars and Andromeda Galaxy. Later, telescope viewing included Saturn.

"I saw a beautiful blue and gold star next to each other," said Paris Bakhtiari, accounting undergraduate, who came with her husband. "It was the first time that I looked through a telescope. I am enjoying the star party and enjoying meeting new people. Even when you are not a student, you can still come back as alumni and meet new people."

For students, one of the biggest benefits of belonging to the Student Alumni Association is the direct connection with successful alumni who are willing to help others in their careers, Melendez said.

"This event offers a casual network setting to meet mentors with experience in their professions," Melendez said. "We're working on more community events that bring in families and friends, and planning a golf tournament April 28."

"Student Alumni as an organization started spring 2002," said Adrian Madril, president of student alumni. "Before, students could join the Alumni Association as student members to provide input on campus issues."

The Alumni Association evolved into a separate Student Alumni Association that was initially modeled after other student organizations, Madril said. Later, the student chapter developed its own structure and purpose.

"Student alumni want to address the general issues of students on campus and to be a resource for students by interacting with other organizations," Madril said.

One example of this interaction is the furniture storehouse where student alumni worked closely with the International Student Association to locate donated furniture for students.

Another example is when they helped Enrollment Services with registration last semester. Student alumni also supports the community. During the Halloween Dance, student alumni collected candy for a homeless organization in Galveston that feeds 180 people each Saturday from donations.

"Student alumni has given me the ability to give back to the community-a community that has given to me so much in the way of education and opportunities," Madril said.

The Student Alumni Association understands the time pressures upon students who balance work, school and family, Madril said. Often students want to contribute, but cannot commit the time. Madril said that students are given an opportunity to participate in anyway they can. That is one reason why the membership for students is $10-to make it financially feasible for students to get involved.

"You're not required to do everything or be everything in the organization," Melendez said. "We don't pressure people. We want to have a sense of family-that's what we are about."

Raymond and Gladys Haak of Galveston County established Haak Vineyards and Winery in 1980. Their 12-acre estate also includes an olive orchard. The winery offers tours and includes a tasting room featuring a gift shop with gourmet foods. The winery also hosts special events such as the JSC Astronomical Society Star Parties held twice a year. The Haak Winery Ole Time Christmas Festival will be held Dec. 8 from 1 to 7 p.m.

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