A Comprehensive Guide to the AUM Alumni Association Benefits

Graduating from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) marks a significant milestone. As graduation nears, many seniors face the question: Should I join the AUM Alumni Association? While some may have family or friends who advocate for membership, others may see little value in maintaining ties with their alma mater. This article explores the benefits of joining the AUM Alumni Association, providing a comprehensive overview of its offerings and impact.

Membership Structure and Eligibility

All Auburn University main campus degreed graduates are General Members of the Auburn Alumni Association, with no membership contribution required. AUM graduates are also welcome to join the Alumni Association.

Benefits of Joining the AUM Alumni Association

The AUM Alumni Association offers a range of benefits to its members, enhancing their connection with the university and providing valuable resources. These benefits can be broadly categorized into personal perks and contributions to the AUM community.

Personal Perks and Advantages

Members of the AUM Alumni Association enjoy a variety of personal benefits, including:

Athletic Events: Free admission to athletic events.
Wellness Center: Discounts at the Wellness Center.
Career Development Center: Access to the Career Development Center.
Arrowhead Country Club: A "Member For a Day" pass to Arrowhead Country Club.
Robert Trent Jones Trail Card: Access to a Robert Trent Jones trail card for \$25.
Members-Only Perks Program: Discounts and savings on various goods and services, ranging from pizza and the zoo to movie tickets and car rentals, available both locally and nationally.
Insurance Savings: Exclusive savings on quality auto and home insurance (discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state).

Supporting Students and Faculty

Membership fees contribute to initiatives that support AUM students and faculty. The AUM Alumni Association has awarded more than \$200,000 in scholarships. They also run an Alumni Professorship that helps recognize dedicated and outstanding faculty on campus, in addition to awarding \$1,000 annually to the winner of the Faculty Service Award. To be eligible for the Faculty Service Award, faculty must have five or more years of full-time service at AUM.

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Membership Fees and Payment Options

Joining the AUM Alumni Association involves a membership fee, which supports the association's various initiatives. A lifetime membership fee is \$500. There is an option to pay in \$100 installments for up to 5 years, as well as special yearly rates for recently graduated members.

Life Membership Installment Plans

For those who opt for the installment plan for life membership, payments are due the same month each year. If a payment is missed, the membership can be reopened by paying any past-due installments to update the payment schedule. Those currently paying toward a life membership can continue their payment plan or pay off their balance or next installment by visiting aub.ie/installment.

Alumni Association Scholarships

The Auburn University at Montgomery Alumni Association annually awards Graduate Study Merit Scholarships to outstanding AUM students. Here are some examples of recent scholarship recipients and their academic pursuits:

Recent Scholarship Recipients

Carrie Alvarenga: Earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2005 from Judson College, and is currently pursuing a Master of Secondary Education with a focus in general science from AUM. After graduating, she plans to continue her learning with an Ed.S and then either an Ed.D or a Ph.D in science education.
Jaileigh Burch: Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from Auburn University at Montgomery, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2022. She is currently pursuing a Master’s of Accountancy from AUM as well. Although she has a passion for auditing, her ultimate goal is to become a certified public accountant.
Tyler Campbell: Earned a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from UAB in 2015, and is currently pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts from Auburn University at Montgomery. He believes contemporary literature is critical to our evolution as a society, and is planning for a career in teaching literature, composition, and research.
Jeremy Farson: Earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of South Florida in 2006. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Economics from Auburn University at Montgomery.
Kecia Hampton: Earned a bachelor of art’s degree in Theatre and Communication from the University of Alabama in 1997, and is currently pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts from AUM. She spent two decades as a middle and high school English & Language Arts teacher, but never forgot her long-term goal of becoming a dynamic college professor.
Burnett: Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2011 from Tuskegee University, and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction in 2015 from Concordia University in Portland, OR. She is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership from AUM. She is currently serving as the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) Local Reading Specialist at Fitzpatrick Elementary School.
Johnson: Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from UAB in 2016. She is currently pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from AUM and works as an operating room circulating nurse with over seven years of expertise in high-risk environments. After graduating, she plans to move into an educator position within cardiothoracic surgery and eventually into a manager or assistant director role. In addition to obtaining an MHA, she looks to further her education by becoming a Certified Nurse, Operating Room (CNOR) as well as completing an MBA.
Ram Potlapalli: Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Anurag Engineering College in 2019, and is currently pursuing a Master of Computer Science from Auburn University at Montgomery. He previously worked in IT with tech giant INFOSYS and IBM for four years, and currently works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for Advanced Database Management Systems, as well as a Resident Assistant for AUM Housing and Residence Life.
Ross: Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from AUM in 2023, and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA). For the last three years, she has been employed as an Administrative Assistant II with the State of Alabama Department of Education.
Velumula: Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Technology from Jyosthismathi Institute of Technology and Sciences in 2012, an MBA from Karnataka State Open University in 2016, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management Information Systems. Velumula is extremely involved in extracurricular activities, representing as the Graduate Senator of SGA, a member of CAB, President of the Women in IT Club. She currently works for the SWOT Team and serves as a Graduate Research Assistant in the College of Education.

Scholarship Application Details

Scholarships are typically for the fall and spring semesters. The application process usually requires two letters of support, preferably from AUM faculty or staff, emphasizing leadership skills; each faculty/staff member can write a maximum of 3 letters for this scholarship. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain and submit all records by the due date.

Other Ways to Support Auburn

There are numerous opportunities to support the alumni association through scholarship or program support. Not requiring annual membership allows you to support whatever Auburn project might be most important to you, from the EAGLES program to wheelchair basketball to your local Auburn Club. This change allows more people to give to an area of Auburn that they are passionate about.

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Staying Connected

The Alumni Association provides several avenues for staying connected with AUM and fellow alumni:

Updating Contact Information: Alumni can update their contact information to stay informed about association events and news.
Auburn Magazine: Alumni can submit birth announcements and other news to Auburn Magazine.
Finding Old Friends: While the Alumni Association cannot release personal information on individual alumni due to privacy laws without their permission, they may be able to facilitate connections between individuals.

Giving the Gift of Membership

It is possible to give an association membership as a gift.

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