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Our History

Founding Overview

Founded in 2020, the Pride Alumni Network at Florida State University (FSU) was created to strengthen LGBTQ+ alumni representation, visibility, and engagement within the university ecosystem.

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The initiative began in 2019 when university leadership and the FSU Alumni Association identified a gap in structured LGBTQ+ alumni engagement. Founding leadership was tasked with building the network from the ground up. Since its founding, the network has focused on fostering belonging, engagement, advocacy, mentorship, philanthropy, and lifelong Seminole connections.

Rainbow heart on gray background

Our Founding Story

The story of the Pride Alumni Network at FSU began in 2019 when founding President Donald Post was concluding his term as President of the Seminole Club of Greater Orlando. Donald was approached by the university and asked to help create a new alumni affinity network. He accepted the opportunity and began building the foundation for what would become the Pride Alumni Network at FSU.

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In January 2020, following the university's organizational development process, Donald assembled a group of founding members tasked with identifying and developing the network's inaugural Board of Directors. Drawing from deeply rooted relationships within the FSU alumni community, the founding team worked to recruit passionate alumni leaders committed to building a sustainable and inclusive network.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in March 2020, the network's development shifted entirely into a virtual environment. Despite the challenges of a rapidly changing world, the founders continued recruiting and interviewing prospective leaders remotely.

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By June 2020, the inaugural Board of Directors had been selected, consisting of 15 founding board members dedicated to launching the network and establishing its long-term vision and operations.

 

​From Founding to First Year

  • January 2020: The Pride Alumni Network at FSU founders were formally accepted by the university and tasked with creating an inaugural Board of Directors through an application process distributed to more than 377,000 alumni.

  • March 2020: COVID-19 forces transition to fully virtual operations.

  • June 2020: Logo approved and inaugural 15-member Board of Directors was selected.

  • July 2020: The inaugural Board of Directors was formally adopted by the National Board of Directors.

  • September 2020: The network held its first general board meeting, and committees were formally created and assigned.

  • December 2020: The Pride Alumni Network at FSU hosted its first official event in a fully virtual format.

  • December 2020: The network completed its first fundraising and community support initiative benefiting LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness in Tallahassee through support for Capital City Youth Services.

  • March 2021: The Pride Alumni Network at FSU participated for the first time in FSU's Great Give campaign and exceeded 156% of its fundraising goal. Funds supported the Pride Student Union on campus, contributed toward creating a named LGBTQ+ student space in the new student union, and helped establish long-term scholarship endowment goals for LGBTQ+ students.

  • June 2021: The network hosted its first Pride Night event focused on trans rights advocacy and community celebration through a drag show program.

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