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Marianne Russell, a resident of Greenville, has been voted as president-elect of the University of Alabama National Alumni Association (NAA), a nonprofit membership organization that serves the university’s alumni, students, parents and friends.

“As president-elect, I will serve with the president and immediate past president for a year and then next year on ‘A’ day, I will transition to president,” Russell said. “We travel across the state and country to represent the Alumni Association, speaking to both local and out-of-state chapters.”

Russell said the association is the largest alumni-based scholarship program in the U.S., with over $74 million in endowed scholarships. 

“It’s really incredible,” she said, noting that in the past year alone, the organization has awarded more than $5 million in scholarships to 3,000 students through its chapters, helping to raise money for scholarships across the nation.

The NAA’s executive committee includes the president, president-elect, immediate past president, executive secretary, treasurer, 16 district vice presidents and six regional vice presidents. Members are selected by a nominating committee composed of five former NAA past presidents and two other alumni volunteers, with nominations received from the current executive committee, past presidents and chapter presidents. Officers are elected for a three-year term at the annual alumni luncheon during Alumni Weekend.

According to Russell, scholarships are funded through private donations, family contributions, fundraising and the sale of University of Alabama license plates. 

“The fees collected through the license plates are often matched by the association and used to fund scholarships,” she explained.

The local Alumni Association chapter, the Butler County Bama Club, is actively involved in fundraising efforts, including the Colin “Big C” MacGuire golf tournament. 

“The funds that we raise go into our local scholarships,” Russell said. “We’ve done almost $15,000 in scholarships, and we’re very proud of it.”

Nancy Siniard, current president of the National Alumni Association, expressed confidence in Russell’s leadership abilities.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as president,” Siniard said. “I’m so excited for Marianne to have this opportunity as well.”

Russell will officially take over as president of the association on “A” day next year, continuing her efforts to promote fellowship among alumni and support the university’s advancement through various programs and initiatives.