Senior Alfred Richardson knows the importance of leadership and has used UGA’s many resources, opportunities and student organizations to help enhance his college career. He began freshmen year with involvement in the Freshmen Forum, the Outreach Committee of the Student Government Association and the inaugural Freshmen Advisory Board of the Black Affairs Council. Richardson has also been Terry Peer Mentor in the National Association of Black Accountants, director of finance for Reverence Ministries and student ambassador for the Interview Committee for the Office of Multicultural Services and Programs. In addition to his involvement with student organizations, he likes to give back to the campus and the Athens-Clarke County community by participating in Hunker Down with Housing, food and clothing drives and cooking at the homeless shelter. He has also helped the Career Center with the Intern for a Day program that helped him find a paid internship with State Farm Insurance Company this past summer. He is currently president of the Black Affairs Council, one of two students on the Richard B. Russell Award selection committee and a member of the Georgia Recruitment Team. After graduation, Richardson plans to work as a management consultant in a major city doing recruiting and special projects in a multicultural department.
Hometown:
Johns Creek, Ga.
High School:
Northview High School
Degree objective:
B.B.A. with a major in management with a minor in speech communications
Expected graduation:
Spring 2010
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
I was selected for the inaugural Freshmen Advisory Board of the Black Affairs Council and found a home at the Office of Multicultural Services and Programs. During that year, I organized and directed the black history month play, collaborated with other student organizations and learned a lot of fundamentals of UGA life. That year, I also received the Freshmen Advisory Board Member of the Year award for my dedication. My sophomore year I was elected treasurer of BAC and learned the financial procedures used by Student Activities and Multicultural Services and Programs for campus wide allocations. I also gained new leadership experience. I received the Shining Star Award from the Office of Multicultural Services and Programs for my leadership and for setting new heights for the Black Affairs Council. I also received the President’s Award for the most dedicated member that year. These experiences have opened up other doors. I am on the Richard B. Russell Award selection committee, and I am a student ambassador for the interview committee of MSP. I helped interview a new director and assistant director for the Office Multicultural Services and Programs. These opportunities have allowed me to gain new skills while also enhancing my leadership skills and interpersonal skills. I continue to mentor students and hope to instill the values of a better tomorrow.
Family Ties to UGA:
I am the first member of my family to attend UGA, but I hope to establish a tradition with my family.
I chose to attend UGA because…
…of the abundant number of student organizations, my Charter Scholarship, and the Terry College of Business. Before stepping on to campus, I learned very quickly about the vast number of opportunities UGA has to offer. In addition, the Terry College of Business is a top-rated business school in the country.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…to participate in any activities that allow me to interact with my peers. I enjoy going to student organization activities/programs, singing with Reverence Ministries and spending time with my friends talking about our ambitions.
When I have free time, I like…
…to listen to and sing R&B or Gospel music, relax in the MSP lounge and the BAC office and to catch up on sleep.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…UGA’s Challenge Course. I had to zip-line down from the top of the tower and jump off the top of a 50-foot pole! It really helped me get over my fear of heights!
My favorite place to study is…
…in Memorial Hall. The BAC office or the MSP lounge are my favorites because the limited distractions keep me focused. Plus, the central location means I can easily obtain food or coffee during my study breaks.
My favorite professor is…
…Amanda Farmer, my managerial accounting professor. She is my favorite teacher because she is always willing to help, offers good advice and makes sure she challenges her students throughout the semester. Even though she taught a 300-person class, it always felt like she was giving each student her undivided attention.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…Stevie Wonder. He is a great musician, activist and producer. I really appreciate his music because it has brought me through the good and the bad times throughout life. He would be able to give me great insight on music and life in general based on his own struggles. It would be a great honor to gain his point of view on these things.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
…end poverty throughout the world. I would begin in Athens-Clarke County because I believe UGA’s influence on the community can help everyone strive to be better.
After graduation, I plan to…
… work as a management consultant in a major city doing recruiting and special projects in a multicultural department. I also plan on getting my M.B.A. in finance to help keep me competitive in my career.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…my first leadership retreat with Multicultural Services and Programs. At the UGA Ropes/Challenge Course, I was challenged to do a series of different obstacles with various student leaders. I was able to learn from the various activities as well as conquer some of my fears. In addition, it allowed me to meet new people and work with a diverse group to gain a lot of insight about how to deal with certain situations. I also developed more dexterity as leader.
