Director, Ticket Hospitality & Travel Programs, AMB Sports + Entertainment
Class of ’01 | Board Position: Past President
Dennette Thornton graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2001 with a bachelor’s in Sports Management. During her time as an undergraduate, she was the President of the Sports Management Majors Club and an equipment manager for the Eagles football team.
After graduation, she served as Senior Manager of Group Sales and Hospitality for the Atlanta Braves for 16 seasons before transitioning to work for Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment where she oversees group sales for the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United 2 and tours of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Thornton has received numerous awards throughout her career including the Young Alumnus of the Year awarded by the Georgia Southern Alumni Association, and was part of the Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 inaugural class.
Q: What is your career and how did Georgia Southern help you to prepare you for it?
A: I’m the Director of Hospitality & Programs for Arthur M. Blank Sports & Entertainment. I work in the sports and entertainment industry with a focus on sales, revenue generation and employee welfare. With my sport management degree from Georgia Southern I was able to get real world experience while in school through internships, etc. that I was able to apply to my many positions that I’ve held throughout my career.
Q: What was your favorite part about being a Georgia Southern student and how has that impacted your engagement with the University through the Alumni Association?
A: Being an equipment manager for the Georgia Southern football team is at the top of my list. It helped me feel like I was a part of something and helped me feel comfortable in my new environment. Being a part of something while on campus will keep you engaged from the moment you step on campus and throughout your life if you take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a part of Georgia Southern’s Alumni Association?
A: I love that it keeps me connected to the school I love, not only from the University side but the Athletic side as well. Being a part of the association allows me to be a voice for the school outside of Statesboro. Informing other alumni and potential students about all the great things that are happening on all four of our campuses and encouraging everyone to join in to all the amazing events that the association puts on so that we can all stay connected.
Q: How do you hope to grow the University during your term as a board member?
A: If there is support that we can provide for our school to reach Research classification that would be amazing. I would also like to see the board create some type of legacy project that would not only benefit our alumni but students on campus.
Q: How can alumni get involved with the Alumni Association and why would you encourage them to do so?
A: First they need to update their contact information through the alumni office and connect on all of our social channels. This will help them get up to date information on the University and events. Encouragement is simple, create the sense of FMO with them. We have great events and opportunities for alumni to take advantage of, and there is something for everyone.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add about the Alumni Association, your time as a GSU student, or the benefits to participating in alumni activities?
A: My network has grown exponentially because of my involvement in the Alumni Association. It not only keeps me connected to those that I went to school but to those that came before and after me. Some of my closest alumni friends didn’t even go to school at the same time as me, but we met through the alumni association. Being a part of the alumni association not only connects you to the school, but to alumni all over the world!