Troy University’s Alumni Association is officially kicking off its May membership drive. The 67-county campaign hopes to raise 10,000 new members by the end of the year, and Pike County’s local chapter hopes to grab the most of those.

“We just want Pike County to be the best chapter because we are in the university’s back yard,” said Pike County Alumni Chapter President Dawn Railey.

“We should be the biggest and the best.”

As part of this campaign, each chapter plans to hold membership recruitment events. Locally, those will be two membership drives at baseball games in Troy on May 5 and May 13.

Railey said the advantage of signing up at those times is members will be entered in drawings for prizes.

Director of Alumni Affairs Faith Ward said there are several benefits in being a part of the university’s alumni association.

“Through membership in the Troy Alumni Association, alumni can remain connected to their university, as well as members of the Troy family,” Ward said.

“Members receive news and information about the university and its activities through the alumni magazine and e-mail messages about special events from the Office of Alumni Affairs. This provides an opportunity to stay informed about and involved in the life of the university.”

Alumni members are also admitted free of charge to tailgating events sponsored by the association and can take advantage of discounts on services like Liberty Mutual Insurance and Savings Connection.

Membership dues paid to the Alumni Association are used to provide scholarships to students and sponsor events for honoring student achievement, like the Honors Convocation held each year.

Railey said locally the Pike County Chapter will give scholarships to students from Charles Henderson High School and Pike Liberal Arts School. She said groups independently from Goshen and Brundidge will give scholarships to Goshen and Pike County High School students.

The local chapter has recently revamped its board of directors and is working on several upcoming events that haven’t been finalized just yet.

Membership fees are $25 annually, $500 for a lifetime or $750 a couple for a lifetime membership.

For more information contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 670-3318.