Delores Gervase, Allison Batson and Heather Jones, from left, alumni from GPC’s Class of 2009, enjoy the Nursing Alumni Dinner. (Photo by Bill Roa)

Alumni who give back to their alma mater help to support scholarships and to build educational programs for students. Their gifts to Georgia Perimeter College benefit the institution and the communities it serves.

Alumni donations also, however, can benefit the alumni who provide them.

“We want to reward our alumni who give back to the college,” says Collins Foster, director of alumni relations. “Our new membership benefits do that while facilitating alumni engagement in the community. It’s all part of how we are trying to build our culture of philanthropy.”

The alumni association unveiled a list of membership benefits in 2011, among them: a $25 gift card to Fleming’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar, free bread for a year at Panera Bread, a $5 coupon to Macaroni Grill and 20 percent off at Joseph A. Bank.

“Our membership benefits were initially introduced as a sort of ‘thank you’ for our association members,” says Foster. “Now, we’re reevaluating those benefits and determining ways we can help alumni business owners and encourage the use of existing on-campus programs.”

The alumni association has maintained partnerships with Panera Bread, Fleming’s and Macaroni Grill, but also has added new membership benefits for 2013. GPC Alumni Association members are eligible to receive one free ticket to each GPC Theatre Arts Guild production at Clarkston Campus in the 2013 calendar year. Alumni association members also are being given access to workout facilities, pools and group fitness classes on all five GPC campuses.

Alumni business owners are getting involved as well. Alumni association members receive a 10 percent discount at The Garden Enthusiast in downtown Tucker, a business owned by alumna and the GPC Alumni Board’s immediate past president, Linda Karr.

Membership dues for the alumni association are $25 annually.

For information or to join the alumni association, visit https://giving.gpc.edu/alumnimembership. Alumni who own a business and are interested in becoming a partner with GPC’s alumni association may contact Foster at Collins.Foster@gpc.edu.