For the first time, the Georgia Tech Honors Program (HP) brought together HP staff, students, alums, and their families at the Homecoming football game.  The HP hosted a tailgate before the game, with over 135 people RSVPing for the event.  The gathering was a great opportunity for current students and alums to mix and mingle while getting excited for what turned out to be a spectacular win over Miami at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.  

The event is part of an effort to "kick off" (pardon the football pun) increased engagement with the almost 2,500 people who have graduated from the Honors Program since its inception in 2006.  In addition to what will surely become a yearly tradition of Homecoming tailgates, the Honors Program is looking to build mentoring opportunities to connect alums and current students.  These efforts began in spring 2024 with the first Honors Program Student and Alum Networking Night, held at the Historic Academy of Medicine (the next one will be held on March 12, 2025).  

Amie Raines, the Program and Operations Manager in the Honors Program who is spearheading alumni engagement efforts, stated:

a new strategic initiative within the Honors Program that I was tasked with and most excited for, is strengthening our alumni engagement efforts. When engaged, alumni can play such a vital role as it relates to student belonging and success and strategic planning. It was so amazing to talk with so many alumni already at our first kickoff event of the semester!

The event was also a great way for students to connect with each other and have some fun during the stressful midterm exam seasons.  Program Coordinator Amara Anderson reflected:

I love seeing our students out of the dorms and interacting with the campus community at large. The energy out on Tech Green was almost electric, full of students, alumni, and families interacting and having fun before kickoff. Can't wait for next year!

We are excited to continue building a dynamic community in the Honors Program, with strong connections between faculty, staff, students, alums, and families.