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Welcome, Class of 2027!

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Freshman Welcome is among the first UGA traditions a student participates in when they arrive on campus. Held annually, typically on the eve of the first day of class, this special event invites all incoming students (yes, all 6,000+) to Sanford Stadium for a party, pep rally and class photo on Dooley Field. Oh—and did we mention they form the Power G?! The next time that many of these students will take the field is during Commencement four years later, book-ending their collegiate journey.

The UGA Student Alumni Council proudly coordinates this tradition, and are thrilled to welcome to campus the Class of 2027. Go Dawgs!

 

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Hear from your peers how rewarding it is to serve as a UGA Mentor

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Why now? 

Students will be back soon and looking to connect with experienced Bulldogs like you. In the video above, you’ll hear why your fellow alumni find mentoring so rewarding they don’t want you to miss out. 

Connect anywhere and on your schedule. Getting started is easy. 

  • Create a profile at mentor.uga.edu. 
  • Accept a student request for mentorship.

What’s the commitment? 

  • 1-2 hours per month for four months (16 weeks).
  • Share knowledge, experiences and feedback (and, sometimes, just listen).

Quick Chats require even less of a time commitment. 

If a 16-week mentorship doesn’t suit your schedule, consider making yourself available for 15-to-30-minute Quick Chats with students instead. 

Help a student realize their potential. 

I feel that the UGA Mentor Program has allowed me to grow beyond being a student and I will be leaving here with more than just a degree.– UGA Student

It may surprise you how much YOU get out of giving back in this way! 

BECOME A MENTOR

On the fence? Want to learn more? 

To help new and potential mentors, the UGA Mentor Program is hosting a webinar, UGA Mentor Program 101, on Aug. 2 at 3:30 p.m. EDT. You will hear from successful mentor/mentee pairings, learn best practices for forming a strong connection, understand all the ways the program supports mentors, and discover tips to become an effective mentor. 

Three generations of UGA alumni celebrate their bond with class rings

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UGA class rings are a wearable memento celebrating the enduring bond between the University of Georgia and its alumni. Alumni far and wide wear their rings as reminders of their memories and accomplishments at UGA and to identify themselves as lifelong Bulldogs.

For Class of 2023 graduate Hannah Skinner (AB ’23, AB ’23), wearing her class ring holds a special significance beyond her connection to UGA. Her ring celebrates not only her accomplishments at the university, but also honors the bond she shares with her father and grandfather.

Hannah is a third-generation Bulldog. Her father Geoffrey Skinner (AB ’93) and grandfather Kerry Skinner (BSA ’68, MS ’69) both attended UGA. When she put on her class ring for the first time at the Ring Ceremony this April, her father and grandfather were alongside her–wearing their own rings, of course.

Hannah was happy to have her father and grandfather there to celebrate her as she joined them in participating in the university’s tradition of wearing a class ring.

“It was a special day to sit there and commemorate,” she said.

After three generations, Geoffrey Skinner said he sees UGA as part of their family’s legacy and thinks that their tradition of wearing class rings celebrates their ties to the university and one another.

“UGA is home and the ring kind of represents that,” Geoffrey said.

History of the ring

The first official UGA “Senior-Alumna” ring was created in 1923 and redesigned in 2005 in a collaborative effort between students, administrators and alumni. The redesign, created in partnership with Balfour, preserved many of the visual elements of the original ring, including the university’s iconic Arch.

Class rings can be purchased by students with 60 or more credit hours and alumni of the university at any time. The rings are presented to their wearers at the annual Ring Ceremony held each April, and friends and family are invited to attend and celebrate with students and alumni as they put their rings on for the first time.

Make it your own

Each ring is unique to its owner and can be customized with different metals, optional designs to indicate one’s major and a custom engraved message on the inside. Hannah’s father chose the specifications of her ring as a gift to her and had the inside of the ring engraved with her name and sorority letters.

“Every single time I look down at it, it’s a reminder of the amazing four years that I had at UGA,” she said.

No matter the ring’s style or when it was purchased, a class ring’s significance to its wearer is more than mere jewelry. It connects them with their university family and allows them to bring a piece of UGA with them wherever they may go–reminding each alumnus that they Never Bark Alone.

Join fellow alumni in this century-old tradition and consider purchasing a ring today!

Buy a class ring

2023 UGA graduates set class giving record

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Senior Signature campaign supports strong overall student giving

Each University of Georgia graduating class contributes a gift to the university to mark their legacy on campus for generations of students to come, and the Class of 2023 has taken this tradition to new levels.

The 2023 graduating class set a record when 3,377 of them—more than any other year—contributed over $112,000 through Senior Signature, the university’s class gift program that has been in place since 1991. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students were invited to participate in the campaign.

Madison Polk, Class of 2023

Madison Polk, outgoing president of the UGA Student Alumni Council and the 2022 Homecoming Queen, is proud of her peers for giving back in record numbers through Senior Signature.

“I am so proud of my fellow members of the Class of 2023,” said Madison Polk, outgoing president of the UGA Student Alumni Council and the 2022 Homecoming Queen. “Even in a challenging economic environment, the students at UGA right now are driven by their passions and are committed to leaving things better than they found them.”

The minimum Senior Signature donation is $30 and is an opportunity for students to learn how financial support can be designated to funds across campus in which students are interested. Each student donor is invited to direct $20 of their gift to an area of campus that enhanced their student experience. This year, students contributed to more than 500 funds at UGA.

The remaining $10 of a student’s donation is pooled with peer gifts to provide grant funding to a student organization. Each student donor gets to vote on which organization receives the financial support to create awareness of philanthropic needs on campus. This year, student donors selected Period Project at UGA to receive the grant during the upcoming academic year to support its student-led initiatives.

In addition to supporting future generations of Bulldogs, student donors’ names will be engraved on the Class of 2023 plaque in Tate Plaza, just steps away from Sanford Stadium, Tate Student Center and Memorial Hall. The plaque will be installed ahead of Spring Commencement.

Record student giving
Polk and fellow members of the UGA Student Alumni Council engage their peers throughout the year to connect with alumni, to participate in campus traditions that enhance the student experience—and to give back philanthropically to UGA. Their efforts, which include hosting fundraising events, peer-to-peer education via social media and email, and tabling on campus during the 2022-2023 academic year, resulted in record levels of overall student giving to the university. More than 4,600 students contributed over $400,000 to support the university now and for generations to come.

“It’s not just seniors giving back,” said Polk. “Students even in their first years on campus contributed through initiatives such as Beat Week, Dawg Day of Giving, and other special fundraising campaigns. Paying it forward is a hallmark of being a Georgia Bulldog.”

To learn more about Senior Signature, go to alumni.uga.edu/seniorsignature.

UGA National Student Speech Language Hearing Association receives 2022 Class Gift

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Each year, the University of Georgia’s graduating class leaves their mark on campus through Senior Signature, a program that empowers students to create a positive impact on a school, college, campus organization or scholarship that shaped their experience at UGA. Through a $30 gift, students are able to designate $20 to an area of their choice with the remaining $10 benefiting the Class Gift, which is awarded to an on-campus organization each year. All Senior Signature donors are eligible to participate in selecting the organization that receives funding from their Class Gift.

The Class of 2022 selected the UGA Chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) as the recipient of their Class Gift. The NSSLHA is a group of students with a shared interest in communications sciences and disorders. The organization is based in the Mary Frances Early College of Education and focuses on fundraising for the UGA Speech and Hearing Clinic to support clients in need of financial assistance and to purchase clinic materials or equipment. In addition, the NSSLHA participates in community-service projects each year through local elementary schools.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association used the funds they received through the 2022 Class Gift to provide training in Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing for graduate students pursuing careers in speech-language pathology (SLP). “Having this training will allow me to participate in swallowing evaluations during my clinical internships, that I would not have been allowed to participate in without the training,” says graduate student Ansley Messina. By providing access to additional certifications, the NSSLHA is able to prepare students for their professional career, give a competitive advantage in the job market, and lessen their students’ financial burden after graduation.

“Receiving training in Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) was incredibly invaluable, especially as someone who is interested in pursuing a career in medical speech-language pathology. Not many students, or even professionals within the field receive this training for an evaluation tool that is crucial in determining an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan,” says graduate student Sam Schonhardt. “The course challenged me to integrate my academic knowledge with professional skills in a hands-on format, and it greatly improved my preparedness for my internship in an acute care hospital where FEES is utilized daily. I’m incredibly grateful to the faculty, staff, and students who made this training possible through the 2022 Class Gift.”

UGA student organizations are eligible to apply for the Class Gift each Spring to receive up to $6,000 in funds for the following academic year. One organization is chosen per year. The deadline to submit an application for the 2023-2024 academic year is Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

 

Class Gift FAQs

 

Submit a Class Gift Application

Bulldogs in Blazers: The History of the Arch Society

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If you have spent a large sum of time at the University of Georgia, you may have asked, “who are those students wearing matching black blazers?”

The Arch Society, one of the most recognizable student organizations on campus, provides service to the university as official hosts and goodwill ambassadors. Whether cheering on the Dawgs from the front row at home football games, checking in distinguished guests at university ceremonies, or giving tours to local elementary schools, members of the Arch Society—affectionately known as POTA, People of the Arch—serve the university in many contexts.

Arch Society students walk in the centennial homecoming parade

Arch Society students walk in the centennial homecoming parade

Founded in 1992 by Tom Cochran, former assistant vice president for finance and administration within the office of the vice president for student affairs, Arch Society comprises thirty-six members who provide “humble service”—a core concept outlined in the organization’s charter—to university partners.

“Humble service is both a core value and the mission of the Arch Society,” states Sarah Burnett, current Arch Society chair and fourth-year student in the College of Public Health. “For Arch Society members, humble service means honoring the opportunity to give back to your community without an expectation of recognition or credit. Whether serving on an assignment, attending our weekly meetings, or cheering the Dawgs on in Sanford Stadium, humble service is the foundation of all that we do.”

Selected for their dedication and servant-leadership approach to service, members are deeply engaged throughout various university departments and organizations aside from their involvement in Arch Society, from Student Government to University Housing to Multicultural Services and Programs. POTA show their commitment to UGA in and out of the blazer through their various passions around campus.

“Arch Society is unique as a student organization on our campus because our members accept and honor their commitment to humble service,” said advisor and UGA Vice President for Student Affairs, Victor K. Wilson (BSW ’82, MED ’87). “The amazing student leaders who serve as a part of the Arch Society always have a strong work ethic, positive mindset, and deep desire to be dedicated to every assignment they serve on. These leaders make me and so many others on campus proud by serving as role models through their stellar service to the UGA community and so many others.”

Along with working a wide range of assignments across departments, Arch Society maintains a strong culture of bonding both within and without. From gathering for annual Arch Society social traditions to welcoming faculty, alumni and student leaders to share a meal at “Archgiving,” Arch Society is committed to its community.

Arch Society students cheer on the Dawgs at Sanford Stadium

Arch Society students cheer on the Dawgs at Sanford Stadium

This tight-knit community comes with a strong foundation: Arch Society alumni who continue to stay engaged with the organization. Among the most engaged former POTA is Kim Metcalf (BSEH ’93, MS ’96). Kim was a charter member of Arch Society, one of the first to wear the blazer, and she remains engaged with the organization and the university as a whole. Kim serves annually on Arch Society’s selection committee, which is composed of outgoing Arch Society students, university faculty, and Arch alumni, all of whom help select new Arch Society classes.

“UGA gave me so much as a student and shaped me into the woman I am today,” Kim explains. “I decided as a student to forever stay involved with UGA and share my time and treasure as possible. I have always stayed connected to Arch Society—I wanted to make sure that all of our students had an amazing experience just like I did. I’ve been so honored to sit on the selection committee to help the organization continue to flourish.”

During Arch Society’s thirty-one years, tradition and values have remained at the forefront of the organization, and humble service is simultaneously the core value of the organization and its most enduring tradition. So, the next time you see the students in the black blazers cheering at the game or handing you a nametag at a reception, be sure to say hi. There are three decades of hospitality in those jackets, and they’d love to prove it to you.

UGA wins Beat Week (again)

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It’s always an exciting matchup when UGA and Auburn go head-to-head, and Beat Week 2022 was no exception.

Beat Week is the philanthropic counterpart to “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry,” and the rules are simple: the university with the most gifts raised during the week leading up to the game wins!

Following UGA’s two consecutive victories, Auburn was looking for their first win this year—and for much of the week, it appeared they might just do it.

However, the UGA community rallied late in the week to take the lead after several days of trading back and forth with Auburn. The result was a double dose of victory for UGA on and off the field. And when the dust settled in the Gift Accounting office, the final score stood:

UGA–2,984

Auburn–1,817

A good coach always acknowledges that every win is a team effort, and that’s certainly true for Beat Week. Everyone played a role: alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends!

UGA’s student body had an impressive outing worthy of SportsCenter’s Top-10 performances; over 700 students flexed their philanthropic muscles and took part in the effort!

Beat Week raised over $1 million to over 300 fund designations across campus supporting scholarships, research, academic programming and a lot more; proving that UGA isn’t just No. 1 in the newest AP Poll, but also in generosity.

Thank you to everyone who made Beat Week a success! GO DAWGS!

Honor your alma mater with a UGA Ring

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As the spring semester comes to an end, many seniors are preparing to graduate and begin a new phase of life. As students transition to alumni, seniors can take part in a time-honored tradition: the UGA Ring.

UGA Rings serve as a reminder of one’s achievements and memories from their time at the university. They represent the bond between students and their alma mater, allowing them to bring a piece of UGA with them wherever they may go.

While being worn as a student, the Arch on the ring should face toward the wearer. Once a student graduates, the ring should be turned around so the Arch faces away. As students make that turn, it signifies they are graduates of the University of Georgia.

Nash Davis (BBA ’19), a Terry College of Business alumnus and former Student Alumni Council president, bought a ring during his junior year in 2018. Nash wanted to have a UGA Ring to wear to the various events held by the Alumni Association during his final year at UGA. Even after graduating, Nash wears his ring often, showing it off when he returns to Athens or attends university events. He recommends that everyone consider purchasing a UGA Ring.

photo of two hands holding UGA rings

“It is an investment for sure, but it is something that you will always be glad you have and are able to wear,” Nash said.

Just by seeing his ring, Nash remembers the hard work he put into his college career and feels a sense of pride. His ring also serves as a great conversation starter with fellow alumni as well as friends within his professional career.

“The first time that an alum recognized my signet ring, it paid for itself. The ability to build those relationships and relate to all sorts of people over a symbol like this is awesome.”

Though Nash bought his UGA Ring as an undergraduate, it’s never too late to get one. Purchasing a ring is open to juniors and seniors with 60+ credit hours as well as alumni. Juniors and seniors who purchase a ring before the end of Ring Week each February can expect to receive their rings in April prior to Commencement. All other orders are filled after Commencement.

There is a wealth of options to customize your UGA Ring. You can choose the metal, engrave a message on the inside of the band, and select the side design to display your degree.

However you choose to customize your UGA Ring, this tradition is more than an accessory. The ring and the Arch are reminders that tradition never graduates.

Order Your UGA Ring

Family ties lead to lesson in giving

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Parents’ philanthropy inspires new generation of Bulldogs

Jeff and Allison Mitchell live on a steady diet of maroon and orange in the college town of Blacksburg, Virginia, where both Jeff and Allison are Virginia Tech alumni, regularly attending football games to cheer on the Hokies. Despite this familiar connection with Virginia Tech, their daughter Elizabeth Grace (ABJ ’21) elected to forge her own path at the University of Georgia.

Elizabeth Grace’s time in Athens offered her an education needed to succeed beyond graduation and it provided valuable lessons around the importance of giving and service. So, while Jeff and Allison may have earned their degrees elsewhere, they’re now building a legacy of giving alongside their daughter at UGA.

New Colors, Same Focus

When Elizabeth Grace arrived on campus, Jeff and Allison instantly joined the Bulldog family, swapping out their Hokies’ attire for red and black. They regularly visited the Classic City during Elizabeth Grace’s four years in Athens, engaging, giving and serving, primarily through service on UGA’s Parents Leadership Council, to demonstrate what a legacy of giving looks like.

“We wanted Elizabeth Grace to understand that supporting her university is something she needed to take the long-term view on,” Jeff said. “Don’t put it off and think ‘I’ll start giving later;’ get started now.”

Giving back is as natural for Jeff and Allison as breathing; they provide ample philanthropic support to a host of institutions and organizations, including their alma mater. They lead by example to ensure those lessons of generous giving are passed on to Elizabeth Grace.

Creating a New Legacy

As graduation neared, Jeff and Allison wanted to honor their daughter’s time at UGA and illustrate why giving is important. The Mitchells decided to recognize her with a legacy gift — a philanthropic gift made in honor of her time at UGA — establishing the Elizabeth Grace Mitchell Student Support Fund.

They sought her involvement, working with her to identify what she wanted the fund to address on campus. Elizabeth Grace recommended that the fund provide financial support to students in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication who are majoring in her field of study, entertainment and media studies (EMST).

“The Mitchell family’s support of student projects will help us fuel EMST film projects – the very heart of the department’s experiential learning efforts,” said Charles Davis (MA ’92) the dean of the Grady College. “This sort of support takes on increasing importance the more hands-on work we do as a college, so we deeply appreciate the fund and what it signifies.”

photo of the Mitchell family with Grady College Dean Charles Davis

Jeff and Allison Mitchell (far left and right) with their daughter, Elizabeth Grace Mitchell (AB ’21) and Grady College Dean Charles Davis (MA ’92) in December 2021.

The fund also gives the opportunity for Elizabeth Grace to engage philanthropically with UGA right after graduation. She’ll contribute directly to it, allowing her to start her own journey of giving while building a legacy that endures long after she’s graduated.

More Opportunities with PLC

In addition to the legacy gift, the Mitchells joined the Parents Leadership Council (PLC) during Elizabeth Grace’s freshman year. Ultimately, this decision launched the couple’s philanthropic journey at UGA.

The PLC offered the chance for their family to build a meaningful connection with the university, including a social network that Jeff and Allison could trust would support Elizabeth Grace during her time in Athens. The service-oriented group provides funding through parents’ annual gifts to various student programs and initiatives on campus.

In the last decade, the group has awarded more than $3.8 million to undergraduate student organizations and is the top supporter of the President’s Venture Fund. The response to these types of needs, as well as the opportunity to help prioritize what needs should be addressed, resonated with Jeff and Allison. It allowed them to proactively help determine how their contributions improved campus—something they offered their daughter when setting up the Elizabeth Grace Mitchell Student Support Fund.

Forever Connected to the Bulldog Family

For Jeff and Allison, establishing the legacy gift for Elizabeth Grace is the culmination of a series of relationships, experiences and opportunities that ultimately will connect them to UGA for the rest of their lives.

“Everybody knows the University of Georgia, but to have your daughter attend from out-of-state and understand the brand and the legacy here, it’s just special,” Jeff said. “We’ve met many, many passionate UGA alumni, and their joy and passion are infectious. You spend any time here, and you just get it. So, we’re happy to celebrate Elizabeth Grace and support the University of Georgia.”

Jeff and Allison hope their philanthropy will inspire other Bulldog parents to establish their own legacies in honor of their students’ UGA experiences. Doing so enables the next generation to strengthen UGA by creating new avenues to success for future Bulldogs.

Want to know more? Consider being a part of parent philanthropy at UGA and establishing your own legacy gift to benefit future generations of Bulldogs! Learn more about UGA’s Parent Fund and Parent Leadership Council.

Learn More About the Parent Fund Learn More About the PLC

Written by Johnathan McGinty (ABJ ’00)

Turn up the volume and jam your way to Indianapolis

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The Bulldogs are heading to Indianapolis, vying for a National Championship victory over Alabama on January 10. Whether you’re enduring the 9-hour drive to Lucas Oil Stadium or cheering on the Dawgs from Athens, a good old-fashioned playlist will help you prepare for an epic showdown in Indy.

From “Glory” and “Baba O’Riley” to “Dooley’s Junkyard Dogs” and “In the Air Tonight,” we’ve got you covered with over 140 songs in our Road to Indianapolis: National Championship Edition playlist.

Watch out, Bama. “The Boys are Back in Town” and are looking to rise up “Against the Tide.” “I Gotta Feeling” that our Dawgs are going to “Rock You Like a Hurricane” come January 10. “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Bulldog Nation!