Unite—UT’s newest student alumni organization—is making a big splash at summer orientation. Hundreds of incoming freshmen and their parents are learning about this new program that will connect undergrads with Tennessee traditions, UT alumni, volunteer projects, and campus and community leadership opportunities.
Richard “Sully” Sullivan, Unite co-chair, said, “Our goal is to link current students with alumni in a network dedicated to the university. This is our way to engage more students with alumni affairs so they will be better informed after graduation.”
Unite is a program of Student Alumni Associates (SAA) and will be overseen by the SAA president and two co-chairs. Unlike SAA, which has a vigorous selection process, Unite is open to any student who wishes to join. There are also no membership requirements, but Unite offers lots of benefits. Members will receive a Unite T-shirt, membership card that entitles them to discounts to local businesses, shirts for select home football games, the “Tradition Begins With a T” handbook, invitations to special members-only “VolNights,” and much more.
SAA will continue to be the university’s student alumni leadership organization, and in order to apply and interview for SAA membership, a student must first join Unite.