Anita Clemon, manager of Human Resources Management Records and president of the NAS, welcomed the employees, and in her luncheon comments President Carol Garrison encouraged those in attendance to join and extend their role in making UAB a vibrant university.

“You are the ones that helped us mature as an institution and achieve the things we do here every day,” Garrison says. “Your membership in the NAS will strengthen the legacy of our great university.”

Of the employees in attendance, 155 were members. More than 70 others joined the NAS that day, including five who pledged a lifetime membership. The NAS is planning another luncheon next quarter for employees who could not attend this event.

Becky Watson, associate vice president for Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving, says the event was a show of appreciation for employee members – and an opportunity to show non-members the role NAS plays in giving to UAB.

“The mission of the National Alumni Society is to support UAB in its pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and public service and to create, foster and nurture a mutually beneficial relationship between the university, its students and alumni,” Watson says. “We want employees to hear that message and see what the NAS is doing to promote the welfare and excellence of UAB.”

An employee NAS membership is $35 per year or $500 for a lifetime membership. Membership fees are payroll-deductible as a convenience to employees, and the lifetime membership can be deducted during a 12-month period. “That’s an easy way to become a member for life,” Watson says.

Membership comes with a variety of discounts and perks through partnerships with businesses such as MedjetAssist, Liberty Mutual and Compass Bank Mortgage Financial Services. Members also enjoy invitations to NAS-sponsored events and employee/alumni events, discounts at Snoozy’s Bookstore and discounts at fine clothiers including Brooks Brothers and Joseph A. Bank.

The UAB NAS, which has more than 8,000 members, provided more than $450,000 in scholarships and grants this past year. The upcoming Dollars for Scholars 5K/10K, which takes place Friday, April 25, raised more than $30,000 in scholarship funds in 2007.

The NAS awards The Ellen Gregg Ingalls/UAB National Alumni Society Award for Lifetime Achievement in Teaching annually to full-time regular UAB faculty. The NAS honors alumni and faculty for their leadership and service to UAB and the community throughout the year at the Alumni Awards Gala and Outstanding Advisor Awards.

Visit www.uab.edu/alumni to learn more about the NAS and to join, or visit its offices located at 516 20th St. South.