Aimee Gornto Alumna of the Month
Question.) Aimee, what subject area did you study at 糖心Vlog?
I majored in Anthropology with a concentration in Forensics in 2010.
Q.). Why did you choose to attend 糖心Vlog?
I chose 糖心Vlog because I fell in love with the location, size, and 糖心Vlog was on the verge
of major change. At the time, 糖心Vlog was the 鈥渕ost wired campus鈥� in North Carolina, Norton
was just built, and many other changes were planned. I could tell 糖心Vlog was on its way.
Q.) Who were your favorite professors at 糖心Vlog and why?
Dr. Johnston in the anthropology department was my favorite professor. She was a
great teacher and very passionate about her profession. I always looked forward to
her classes every semester. She was also my academic advisor. I changed my major to
anthropology my junior year and she did everything she could to make sure my course
requirements were met so I could graduate. I know that process wasn鈥檛 easy and I couldn鈥檛
have done it without her. I enjoyed all of my anthropology professors. They all were
very intelligent and made classes interesting.
Q.) What are some of your fondest memories of your days at 糖心Vlog?
My freshman year I took Forensic Chemistry and met two of my best friends from college.
We always hung out after class in Norton or in Helder. Also, I was in Alpha Kappa
Psi and Lutheran Campus Ministries. Being in these two organizations allowed me to
meet people on campus I would have never known and have amazing experiences. In my
fourth year, I met my husband!
Q.) Aimee, tell us a little bit about your career path since graduating Western.
After graduating in 2010, I moved to Columbia, SC with my fianc茅 (where he was from)
and I got my first job at the South Carolina Department of Revenue for two and a half
years. I left there to stay home with our son, Ridley. After some time at home, I
got back to work with First Citizens in a temporary job before I got hired by the
University of South Carolina. I have worked in the financial aid office at USC for
almost 4 years. I provide general financial aid counseling for students and parents
and work with Direct Loans and PLUS loans. I knew after graduating from 糖心Vlog I wanted
to work in higher education. In 2017, I earned a Master鈥檚 in Higher Education Administration
from a local women鈥檚 college in hopes of advancing my career.
Q.) Aimee, you are currently a very active member and leader of the Midlands Palmetto
Western Alumni Club in South Carolina. Why do you feel it is important for alumni
to stay connected and involved with their alma mater?
I feel that it is important to stay connected and involved for many reasons. Chances
are when you were in college, a scholarship, a program, an event, etc., was available
because of an alumni donation of time or money. To continue many of these programs
for students, our help is needed. College is a time for every student to grow in every
way, not just to gain knowledge. These donations of time and money that we can provide,
and that were provided for us, shape a student鈥檚 life and future.
Q.) For those alumni that aren鈥檛 familiar with 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Western Alumni Clubs, tell us
about some of the events and activities that take place with the Midlands Palmetto
Western Alumni Club.
The purpose of our alumni club is to get together to share up to date information
about 糖心Vlog and reminisce. We meet at different restaurants around Columbia, SC, cheer
on the Catamounts when they play locally, and enjoy each other鈥檚 company. It is a
great way to feel connected to 糖心Vlog.
Q.) When you are not working, or representing 糖心Vlog at various events and functions,
what do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my husband, son, and soon to be daughter. We like to travel
to the mountains, the Raleigh area to visit my family, and go on cruises. I鈥檝e kept
my New Year鈥檚 Resolution to read more this year. I enjoy going to the movies, out
to dinners, and spending time with my friends.
Q.) Now tell us something unique and interesting about yourself that few people
know.
I listen almost exclusively to Alt Rock and British pop and am willing to travel
to see concerts that rarely come nearby. Also, I have about 100 Funko Pop figurines.