DONOR SPOTLIGHT - Shandette Harper

 

1.  Are you an alumnus of NC A&T State University?  If not, what is your relation

      to the University?

      I am a proud member of the class of 1996.  I received my Bachelor of Science

      degree in Accounting.

 

2.  If you could describe NC A&T in one word, what word would it be?

      One word to describe NC A&T is family. When I say family I mean blood related 

      and non-blood related. My father, my older brother Rodney and various cousins

      graduated from A&T but my Aggie family extends beyond them. I consider every

      person I met in Alex Haley Hall Dormitory, in The Cafe, in Merrick Hall or just

     "on the yard" to be a member of my family.  I truly do Bleed Blue and Gold!

 

3.  Why do you support NC A&T athletics and its student-athletes?

      I am a big believer in supporting my family and friends. While I was a student I had many friends on 

     the football and basketball teams. I knew the dedication they had to their respective teams so I felt I

      needed to show them support in return. As an alum, I consider the current athletes to be my little

     brothers and sisters.

 

4.  What prompted you to join the Aggie Athletic Foundation?

      Even though I love sports, I’ve never been known as an athlete. However, I have been labeled as a #1

      fan. With that title, I felt I needed to support the athletic program emotionally and financially.

 

5.  What is your favorite Aggie Athletics memory?

      My favorite memory is from the 1999 football playoff game in Nashville, TN. The Aggies went 8-0 in

      the MEAC that year but we received the #16 spot in the playoffs. It was the fourth quarter and we

      were losing to Tennessee State. Coach Bill Hayes called a timeout. During the timeout the Blue & Gold

      Marching Machine started to play a popular song during that time and the A&T fans started to dance

      and sing. I guess the energy from the crowd spread down to the football players because a couple of

      them started to dance and sing also. The Aggies moved the football down the field for the winning

      score. That game earned NC A&T their first NCAA I-AA playoff victory.

 

6.  What would you say to someone who is considering joining the Aggie Athletic Foundation?

      There is more to being an Aggie then yelling Aggie Pride. We need to show the meaning of Aggie

      Pride. As Aggies we do not like to lose in sporting events but to be able to compete with the best we

      need to financially support our athletic programs.