Convened by Gov. John Motley Morehead (class of 1817) in 1843, 31 graduates gathered in Chapel Hill at Commencement and began plans for an alumni organization. Their goals still apply:

• Perpetuate the friendships formed in collegiate years
• Promote the welfare of the alma mater
• Promote the cause of education

Nestled amid the trees next to Kenan Stadium, the George Watts Hill Alumni Center is the permanent home for former Carolina students. As of January 2010, membership in the GAA exceeded 66,000, and approximately 100 alumni clubs were active worldwide. For a current list of the GAA's staff and Board of Directors, refer to any issue of the Carolina Alumni Review or the online listing.

Membership

Membership in the GAA is open to anyone seeking a closer connection to UNC. Members include individuals who have enrolled at Carolina in an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate, degree-granting course of study, even if a degree was not earned; all friends of Carolina; individuals who participated in certificate programs (i.e., the Executive Programs) or who took internships or residencies at UNC; and University staff and faculty. All members, regardless of the category under which they join, are entitled to the membership privileges and benefits of the alumni association. Student memberships also are available.

See a map of where alumni and GAA members live all around the world.

Stay Involved through Your GAA

Read your Carolina Alumni Review. Keep up with the ideas and achievements of UNC faculty, staff, students and fellow alumni and friends of Carolina. The Review is an award-winning bimonthly magazine featuring in-depth articles and news about the University. It also contains a Class Notes section, highlighting the achievements of Carolina alumni.

Come back home for RAMpage/Homecoming. Familiar faces and surroundings come alive in both traditional activities and new events added each year. Homecoming is for all Carolina alumni regardless of class year.

Attend a lifelong learning program in Chapel Hill or with your local Carolina Club. For most alumni, the student years at Carolina opened new worlds of thought, stimulated new interests and fostered new talents. Through GAA-sponsored seminars, workshops, exhibits and concerts, learning still happens. The GAA makes available the superb teaching, the exciting research and the outstanding facilities of Carolina in a variety of educational and cultural programs.

Spend an evening or weekend exploring new ideas, meeting old and new friends, and enjoying the stimulating atmosphere of college life — at any age. Some of the GAA's programs and seminars are co-sponsored with the Program in the Humanities. Some qualify for continuing education credit, and GAA members receive a discount on registration. If you have questions, call the GAA at (919) 962-3574.

Take a trip with fellow GAA members. Hundreds of UNC alumni and friends explore the country and the world each year on GAA tours. Destinations and types of travel vary among the two dozen or so annual trips, all run by experienced tour guides. Many trips include a UNC faculty enrichment lecturer. They offer an opportunity to travel and learn with fellow Tar Heels and to develop or renew lasting friendships. Details are available through brochures and in the Carolina Alumni Review. You also can call toll-free (877) 377-7125 for more information.

Alumni Career Services

Looking for a job? Trying to navigate the corporate ladder? Want to become a more valuable team player? Welcome to Alumni Career Services, where our focus is your career success. We provide just-in-time, just-for-you career assistance to help you manage your career. Most services are available in person, by phone or through e-mail. Call (919) 962-3749 or send an e-mail to careers@unc.edu for details. Alumni Career Services offers:

Coaching — Your professionally trained coach can help you see yourself more clearly, determine what you really want to do and establish a career path. Your coach can also help you create and evaluate options, act as an objective sounding board and provide honest and objective feedback.

Resume Rescue — Make your resume part of your marketing campaign, not your autobiography. Polish your skills in writing resumes and cover letters that help get you in the door.

Alumni Advisor Network — With this GAA member exclusive benefit, you can access more than 5,000 UNC alumni who can help you explore career options, gain information about careers and generate networking leads.

Association Services

The purpose of the GAA is to nurture the bond between alumni and the University. To that end, the Association offers several services to its members. If you have questions or suggestions for other ways we can better serve our membership, please let us know.

As a GAA member, you may join The Carolina Club — a member-supported dining club created for all alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the University located in the George Watts Hill Alumni Center on the UNC campus.

The GAA Records Department keeps computer and paper files on all Carolina alumni, living and deceased. You can contact the Records Department for the addresses and phone numbers of your classmates or friends from UNC or come and see the files of relatives who attended the University.

Each year the GAA Board of Directors recognizes individuals for their accomplishments or service to the University. We present annually the Faculty Service Award, Distinguished Service Medals and Distinguished Young Alumnus/Alumna Awards.

GAA members may nominate and vote for individuals to serve on the GAA's Board of Directors. As a member, you are entitled to be nominated for and to hold an office on the board.

Carolina Clubs

Carolina Clubs are groups of alumni and friends of the University formed in geographical areas to involve UNC's supporters in the life of the University, even if they are far from the campus.

Some of the activities Carolina Clubs sponsor include:

Social programs — Dinners and after-work gatherings; group attendance at a local cultural event or attraction; family events such as barbecues, TV parties and bus trips for athletics events; and holiday parties.

Enrichment programs — Guest speakers who address topics of interest to local alumni; group trips to historic places; and career networking opportunities.

UNC support and advocacy activities — Provide a scholarship to a local student; promote awareness of issues affecting UNC and help spur involvement when needed (i.e., writing letters to legislators); host student receptions; and support community service projects that reflect positively on UNC.

If there isn't a Carolina Club in your area, you can help start one. Call the GAA at (919) 962-6705 or send an e-mail to clubs@unc.edu for more information.