Ole Miss Alumni Association Drive Passes 24,700-Members

OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss alumni and friends are responding to the Alumni Association’s call to “Get active, stay active and help Ole Miss,” bringing the total number of active members to more than 24,700.

Now, alumni and friends have an added incentive to stay active: All who join, renew or extend their memberships, or become Sustaining Life Members from Oct. 1, 2013-Jan. 15, 2014, will be automatically entered into a drawing for a two-night stay at The Inn at Ole Miss during the Memphis home football weekend in 2014.

The Alumni Association has set a goal to reach 25,000 by year’s end, said Tim Walsh (BPA 83, MEd 91), OMAA executive director. Members can join online at www.olemissalumni.com/join.

“We began this campaign with 24,000 active members, and we are thrilled with the results so far,” Walsh said. “We are deeply thankful, and we are offering this stay at the Inn during the peak football season as another way to say ‘thank you’ to the Ole Miss family.”

The Alumni Association keeps records on 115,000 living alumni and friends of Ole Miss.

“The Ole Miss Alumni Association plays a vital role in connecting Ole Miss alumni and friends, funding scholarships for students and supporting many university programs,” Walsh said. “With Ole Miss experiencing record growth, the support of our alumni and friends has never been more important.”

Active member dues fund scholarships for children of graduates, connect supporters through reunions and the nationwide Ole Miss club network, and assist with the upkeep of the Grove. Alumni Association participation also enhances the reputation of the university, with active membership affecting the university’s standing in U.S. News and World Report and other rankings.

Benefits of active membership include a subscription to the quarterly Ole Miss Alumni Review magazine, savings and special offers from participating businesses and partners, an annual wall calendar, entry to a special “Members Only” area on home football game weekends, invitations to special events, an official alumni car decal, and more.

Graduates and non-graduates alike are eligible to be Alumni Association members.

“Active membership in the Ole Miss Alumni Association allows a small contribution to go a long way and enables you to contribute to practically every part of the university,” said Larry H. Bryan (BBA 74), Alumni Association president. “The Association assists a large number of campus organizations and departments, all while keeping alumni and friends connected to Ole Miss. “If only one percent of alumni who are currently inactive were to join, we would reach our goal,” Bryan said. “While that number seems small, the impact on the University would be meaningful.”

A year’s membership is only $40 for an individual or $50 for a couple. Three-year memberships and lifetime memberships are also available. Membership fees may be tax-deductible. Consult your tax adviser concerning tax deductibility. To join the Alumni Association or check your membership status, go to www.olemissalumni.com/join or call 662-915-7375.

—Ole Miss Alumni