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Mission Statement
The UGA Alumni Association proudly supports the academic excellence, best interests and traditions of Georgia’s flagship University and its alumni worldwide.

History
The [University of Georgia Alumni Association] was founded in 1834 as the Alumni Society and was the fourth organization of former students to be created by any institution of higher learning in America. It was the first Alumni Society in the South.

It began on July 26, 1834, when a small group of graduated met in the University Chapel to organize an alumni society. A.S. Clayton, an 1804 graduate, was chairman of the gathering. A special meeting to elect officers and adopt a constitution occurred on August 5. Seventy-one alumni were present with at least one representative from each graduation class of 1804-1834. A constitution was adopted and officers were elected.

A.S. Clayton was named president; Jeptha V. Harris, David Chandler and William C. Dawson, vice presidents; William L. Mitchell, recording secretary; William E. Jones, corresponding secretary, and Elizur L. Newton, treasurer.

One of the first services performed by the Society at the second meeting in 1835 was the approval of a letter to be sent to all University alumni on record requesting their aid in collecting and forwarding to the school specimens of animals, birds, small insects, plants, flowers and mineral. Alumni were also asked to assist in procuring books, old and new editions, manuscripts, letters, autographs, facsimiles, and all other things “curious and rare.”

At the meeting of the Alumni Society in 1836, members voted to establish and support the publication of a journal “to enhance the literary character of our alma mater.” Subscriptions were sought for the journal to be called “The Athenian” but the effort failed.

Meetings were held each year in conjunction with commencement week until the outbreak of The War Between the States when a lapse of six years occurred. In 1886, the first issue of The Pandora (University yearbook) devoted a full page of its 100-page edition to listing the officers of the Society and to report on activities of former Georgia students.

The highlight of each annual meeting of the Society was and address given by some prominent person, usually a politician, government official, or educator.

Dr. R. P. Brooks, later Dean of the School of Commerce and then Dean of the Graduate School, was named secretary of the society and editor of The Alumni Record. The publication was started principally to support the first major alumni fund-raising effort, the War Memorial Fund. This campaign led to the completion of the building now known as Memorial Hall. Dr. Brooks, the first paid part-time professional, served until 1926.

Dr. Brooks was followed in his position by E. A. “Rastus” Lowe who served from February 1926 through July 1926. John D. Allen then became alumni secretary, editor of The Record and business manager for the Society from July 1926 through August 1927.

Tom S. Gray, Jr. held the position from August 1927 until May 1925. Col. A. T. Colley served from 1925 through 1929 when Dyar Massey, director of public relations for the University, took on the additional duties of alumni secretary. Massey served until 1941.

One of the most important accomplishments of the alumni Society during Colley’s tenure was the establishment of the University of Georgia Foundation – a separate organization to receive major gifts to e used for the betterment of the educational programs at UGA. The Foundation was officially established and incorporated in 1937.

The first full-time alumni secretary was William M. Crane who took over in 1941. Under his direction, special emphasis was placed on keeping more complete alumni records and in establishing alumni chapters. One of the most important efforts of Mr. Crane was the absorption of the State Normal School – Georgia State Teachers College into the records and programs of the Georgia Alumni Society.

In 1956, the Alumni Society, working with the University of Georgia Foundation and school administration, established the new position of director of alumni relations. Tyus Butler ’35, a member of the Grady School of Journalism faculty, who had edited the Alumni Record for several years prior, was named to this position. His main task was to create closer ties between the Alumni Society, the UGA Foundation, and the University faculty and administration. He served until his retirement in December 1982. Under Butler’s leadership, new chapters were established, the staff was expanded and numerous programs and activities undertaken including nationally recognized alumni seminar and alumni tours program.

Gordon Bradwell ’65, who joined the Alumni Society in 1971, succeeded Butler and continued expanding the outreach and programs of the society with special attention given to young alumni and enhancement of the seminar and tour programs. He served until 1989.

Dave Muia ’74, who began his UGA career in the alumni relations office in 1975 and also worked in the development office, succeeded Bradwell and served as Executive Director until his retirement in January 2004. Notable changed occurred during Muia’s years including the society becoming a dues paying organization, a change of name for the Society and the magazine, realignment of staff, development of an off-campus alumni center in Atlanta, establishment of an association for retired faculty and staff, the beginning of a Student Alumni Association, the offering of an affinity card, and a revised program or regional programming.

Upon the institution of annual dues, the organization’s name was changed from Alumni Society to the National Alumni Association in 1996 and the Association became a dues paying organization. The “National” was later dropped in 1999 The Alumni Record became the Georgia Magazine in 1999 as well.

By 2004, there were 21,800 dues paying members of the Association and a dues-paying Student Alumni Association. The Association provides assistance to more than 90 regional contacts throughout the country and in several foreign areas.

After serving for seven years as Associate Director/COO, Deborah Dietzler, was named Executive Director in December 2004. At this time, the Association operates with a staff of 14 and headquarters is located in the historic Wray-Nicholson House, 298 South Hull Street in Athens. However, plans for a new state-of-the-art alumni center are underway.

A Board of Directors meets twice annually and advises the Association staff. There are 80 Board members, an Executive Committee of eight and five officers. Vic Sullivan ‘’ is the current Alumni Association President.

Through the years, prominent politicians, business and professional persons and other former students have provided leadership for the Association

Presidents of the alumni organization have included:

Membership
The UGA Alumni Association became a dues paying organization in 1996. Unlike many of the organizations on campus, the Alumni Association is self-supporting for operating costs and programming and relies on your support to fund all Alumni Association sponsored campus activities, chapter events, and student programs. Membership dues help to strengthen and support a growing list of exceptional UGA student and alumni programs.

Membership allows the Association to provide academic support to the University through its campus support fund for student organizations, an Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund, a summer fellowship program through the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO), and a Study Abroad fellowship.

Several membership options are available including life, annual and student membership. Anyone is welcome to join the UGA Alumni Association.

Members are eligible for a wide array of exclusive social, professional, and financial benefits both locally and nationally, as well as receive the University’s feature quarterly magazine, Georgia Magazine.

Student Alumni Association

The Student Alumni Association, formally Nexus, was created in 1999 to include Students who were interested in becoming active while in school and to continue to be connected after graduation. Student members receive the same benefits as alumni members.

Student Alumni Council

Student Alumni Council members enhance the relationship between the students of the University of Georgia and its alumni by promoting University traditions, instilling pride, bolstering spirit, fostering community and educating leaders on and off campus. The Student Alumni Council will create and promote programs aimed at furthering interaction between alumni and students while also acting as a liaison between the two bodies.

Members are expected to participate and represent the Alumni Association in the activities and functions of the Student Alumni Council, which include but are not limited to: Founder’s Day, Ring Weeks, Ring Ceremony, Graduation Celebrations, First Friday Pep Rally, UGA Six Flags Alumni Night, the SAC orientation retreat, and Alumni Association events on and off campus. Members will also be expected to follow meeting requirements and serve on one of the SAC committees.

The term of membership is for one year and begins during the semester the student is chosen for membership. Current members are reviewed at the end of each term based on their performance by the President, Vice President, and Secretary.

Programs
Athens Program

The Athens Program was set in place to connect alumni and friends in the Athens area to the University through networking opportunities and events that help instill their pride in their University.

Atlanta Program

The Atlanta Program was created to help instill a connection between alumni and friends in the Atlanta area and the University. An Atlanta Alumni Center was established to house staffs that are in charge of Atlanta Programs. These staff members create networking opportunities and events in the Atlanta Metro Area to engage the area alumni and friends of the University.

Regional Program

With alumni spanning all across the nation and the world, Regional Programs was created to keep alumni informed and connected to the University through networking opportunities and events in Chapter and Club Areas. Chapters are set up in areas containing 1,000 or more alumni and Clubs are set up in areas with less than 1,000 alumni. There are now about 95 Chapters and Clubs worldwide.

Young Alumni Program

The Young Alumni Program began in 2008 to keep recent graduates connected to their alma mater, the Young Alumni Program was created. The program provides opportunities to gather together to network or just have fun with fellow alumni and friends.

Young Alumni Council

The UGA Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Council represents a diverse group of 30 UGA graduates from the last decade. Representing different degrees and backgrounds, the YAC supports the UGA Alumni Association’s mission through events, programs and community service in the Metro-Atlanta area.

Multicultural Program

Multicultural Programs was incepted in 2005 to provide minority alumni opportunities to be involved and stay connected with the Association and University while networking with and enjoying fellow UGA alumni and friends. The program focuses on outreach to minority and under-represented groups, including African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian and bi-racial alumni through specially designed, culturally sensitive events. In addition, the Association strives to create a comfortable environment for networking and social interaction through the many events it co-sponsors with other organizations. A volunteer Steering Committee provides excellent feedback on the best ways to serve UGA's diverse alumni population. In addition to providing special events, Multicultural Programs also works with minority alumni to assist the University with student recruitment. By participating in both Minority Admitted Student Receptions and Call-Outs, multicultural alumni helped the University obtain its most diverse freshman class in the school's history.

Tours Program

The UGA Alumni Association provides a wide range of safe and enjoyable trips all over the world for alumni and friends. Association-endorsed trips include informative educational programs, the services of a professional tour director and expert local guides. Schedule your Bulldog adventure today! In order to participate in an Alumni Tour, at least one family member must have active Alumni Association membership.

Women Of UGA Program

Women of UGA started in 2007 as a growing community of women affiliated with the University of Georgia. The Women of UGA are connected to each other and to the University's schools, colleges, and the UGA Alumni Association by their commitment to and participation in professional development, community service, and personal empowerment. The Mission of the Women of UGA Program is to provide a forum for women of UGA to connect with one another for personal and professional growth. The goals are to create a sense of community for women across UGA to connect with one another and build relationships, provide programming for women across UGA that develops their skills and empowers them to achieve their professional goals, coordinate and support volunteer initiatives geared towards women and girls. Programming is in place for professional development, service and community involvement, and social activities.

Student Program

Student Programs was put into place along with the Student Alumni Association to provide programming such as events and socials for networking and engagement of students and alumni.

SoloSeniors Program

The UGA Alumni Association and a group of seniors formed SoloSENIORS in 2006 to foster interaction and networking among mature single professionals. The group is open to unmarried men and women at least 50 years of age who are members of the UGA Alumni Association.

Annual Events
Founders’ Day Lecture

Dawg Trot 5K Run/Walk

Workin’ Like a Dawg Employee Breakfast

Alumni Awards Luncheon

UGA Night at Six Flags

Bulldog Breakfast Club with Coach Mark Richt

Lunch with Katharyn Richt and the Coaches’ Wives

Homecoming BBQ

Faculty and Staff Authors’ Reception

Member Discount Night at the Bookstore

Holiday Open House and Toy and Food Drive