About Karen Burroughs Jones ’74: Karen served as the Executive Secretary of the College of Charleston Alumni Association from 2005-22. She had worked in Alumni Affairs at the College of Charleston since 1991. Karen served as Assistant Director under Tony Meyer ’49 until 1995 and assumed the role of Director of Alumni Affairs after his retirement. In 1999, she was elected Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association and in 2005, she was named Director of Alumni Communications.

In her role as Executive Secretary, Karen worked closely with the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and committees in fulfilling the goals of the Association’s strategic plan to help alumni stay informed, get involved and give back. She focused efforts in creating a pipeline of potential Alumni Board members who will mirror the demographics of the alumni body. She led the Association’s efforts in creating the first Alumni Awards Gala in 2000 and championed the creation of more than 20 new alumni scholarships, including the scholarship in her name. Upon her retirement, the Alumni Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to honor her with the title Executive Secretary Emerita.

During her years at the College, she served as the advisor for the Student Alumni Associates and as the faculty/staff advisor for Chi Omega. She was president of the Chi Omega House Corporation for over 20 years.

Karen earned a B.S. degree in psychology from the College in 1974. Following graduation, she moved to Rochester, NY, and worked as a clinic manager at the University of Rochester’s Strong Memorial Hospital. In 1988, she moved to Mount Pleasant and was elected to serve as a member of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. She has two children, Ashley Jones Smith ’00 and Clayton Jones, and a granddaughter, Baylor Smith, and a grandson, Graham Jones.