Virginia State University Alumni Association

Washington DC, Chapter

Chapter Membership

Collage-MembershipMembership in both the Virginia State University Alumni Association and its Washington, DC Chapter is all about pride - pride in Virginia State and pride in the ability to enhance the lifelong "Trojan" experience of SERVING, INVOLVING, and INFORMING our alumni, students (current and future), and friends of the University. 


Your membership also celebrates the University's rich heritage of excellence and helps to shape its future. Whether you are able to dispense of your time, your monetary resources, or both, your patronage and membership is essential toward our founding purpose of stimulating and maintaining a spirit of loyalty, love, and pride for VSU.

Chapter membership is open to anyone living in the Washington, DC metropolitan area who is a:

  • graduate of Virginia State University, or any of its previous designations;
  • former student or those who did not attend Virginia State, or any of its previous designations, but have an interest in advancing the goals of the University through the Alumni Association ; and
  • honorary member as determined by the membership.

 



Chapter Membership Options:

Annual Membership


Life Membership
  • Single Installment - $750 paid at the time of membership 

    • Installment Plan 1 - $750 paid over three years (minimum of 3 installments of $250 within the first two years, balance due in the third year)

    • Installment Plan 2  - $750 paid over three years (minimum of 6 installments of $125 within the first two years, balance due in the third year)

Top 10 Reasons To Join 

1. Show Your Trojan Pride
Membership in the Washington, DC Chapter is all about pride - pride in Virginia State and pride in the ability to enhance the lifelong "Trojan" experience here in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. With so much to be proud of - in 2007 VSU was named the top public HBCU in the country among masters-level institutions; the fifth best public HBCU overall; and the 15th best HBCU, public or private in America - growth and recognition of the University ensures the true value and impact of a VSU degree.

2. Enhance the Public Image of the University
A stronger alumni presence within the Virginia State University Alumni Association makes a stronger university and ultimately increases the value of our Virginia State University degree. More people will see Virginia State as an outstanding school that produces exceptional graduates, like you, who involve themselves in their community and remain in contact with their alma mater.

3. Stay Connected To The University
Joining the Washington, DC Chapter is a great way to maintain a lifelong connection back to our beloved alma mater. Members of the chapter span diverse ages, backgrounds, professions, and interests, yet all have the same love for VSU.

4. Stay Informed
As a Washington, DC Chapter member, you will have an inside track on the latest news and information about the University and the Alumni Association through the Chapter's newsletter, e-mail listserv, and telephonic phone message system. You will also enjoy member-only feature located on this website.

5. Make New Trojan Friends
If you are new to the Washington, DC area, what's the best way to meet, reconnect, and/or network with fellow Trojans and former classmates? Give up? Why attend a Chapter meeting or one of our Chapter events/activities of course!

6. Opportunities To Recruit Top Area Students To The University
To remain among the nation's best public universities, it's vital that VSU attracts the best and brightest students. The Washington, DC Chapter does its part in recruiting top local area students by sponsoring bus trips to the University's Open House/High School Day events, attending local area college fairs, and hosting informational sessions.

7. Let Your Voice Be Heard
Joining the Washington, DC Chapter will give you a voice in the direction of the Alumni Association by sending a voting representative to the Association’s Board of Director meetings, which ultimately helps to shape the future of the Association.

8. Contribute to the Chapter's Scholarship Initiatives
A portion of your membership dues goes to support the Chapter's annual scholarship initiative of providing financial assistance to deserving high school students from the Washington, DC metropolitan area who wish to enroll at Virginia State. Century Club Members directly support the Chapter's Endowment Fund with their membership designation. Interest earned on this endowment will ensure continued funding for scholarships.

9. Make connections through participation
Each year, the Chapter hosts a wide-variety of activites and events to help connect alumni in the Washington, DC metropolitan area to the University and to each other. Examples of these events include our annual Scholarship Dinner Dance, Midnight Moonlight Cruise, and Summer Classic Golf-Tournament. Member dues support these and other opportunities for alumni to stay connected.

10. Help make a Difference!
By joining as a new member or renewing your membership you will help the Washington, DC Chapter begin new traditions, build and support our University, and improve the quality of life around our community. With your help, we together can make Virginia State Univeristy and the Virginia State University Alumni Association the strongest institution and association possible.

What are you waiting for? Make Virginia State stronger by becoming a member of the Washington, DC Chapter!

Annual Membership

We invite you to join or renew your membership as an Annual Member today!  Annual membership within the Alumni Association is designated for those who graduated from Virginia State University, or any of its previous designations. 
 
Chapter Membership Dues is $60 per year.*

($30 of your $60 membership goes directly to pay your Virginia State Univeristy Alumni Association National dues while the remainder stays with the Chapter). 
 

Membership Benefits
:
As an annual member within the Washington, DC Chapter, you will enjoy membership benefits that include:

  • Virginia State University Alumni Association Membership Card
  • Connection to the National Alumni Association
  • Eligibility to become a National Alumni Association Board Member
  • Leadership Opportunities within the Chapter
  • Voting privileges in Chapter elections
  • Full access to the Chapter's membership directory
  • Full access to the Member's Only Section on the Chapter's Website
  • Quarterly Chapter Newsletter mailed to your home
  • Regular opportunities for social fellowship
  • E-mail notices via the Chapter’s private e-mail listserv
  • Telephonic notices via the Chapter’s telephone messaging system


*Note: 
Annual membership is annual. The membership year begins July 1st and ends on June 30th of the following year, as the Chapter follows Virginia State University Alumni Association's fiscal year for membership dues. After June 30th of each year, chapter members must renew their membership status. Membership applications received after March 31st of any year will be processed for the following membership year, which begins on July 1st.

Join/Renew Annual Membership

Associate Membership

We invite you to join or renew your membership as an Associate Member today!  Associate Membership within the  Alumni Association is designated for those individuals who did not graduate or attend Virginia State, or any of its previous designations, but have an interest in advancing the goals of the University through the Alumni Association.

Chapter Membership dues is $60 per year. *
($30 of your $60 membership dues goes directly to pay your Virginia State University Alumni Association National dues while the remainder stays with the Chapter).



Membership Benefits
: As an Associate Member within the Washington, DC Chapter, you will enjoy membership benefits that include:

  • Virginia State University Alumni Association Membership Card
  • Full access to Chapter membership directory
  • Full access to the Member's Only Section on the Chapter's Website
  • Quarterly Chapter Newsletter mailed to your home
  • Regular opportunities for social fellowship
  • Email notices via the Chapter’s private email listserv
  • Telephonic notices via the Chapter’s telephone messaging system


*Note: Associate membership is annual. The membership year begins July 1st and ends on June 30th of the following year, as the Chapter follows the Alumni Association's fiscal year for membership dues. After June 30th of each year, chapter members must renew their membership status. Membership applications received after March 31st of any year will be processed for the following membership year, which begins on July 1st.

Join/Renew Associate Membership

Life Membership 

Life Members are a key and valuable part of the Virginia State University Alumni Association.  Becoming a Life Member provides you the opportunity to make a lifetime membership commitment back to the Alumni Association and demonstrates a resolve in support of Virginia State University.  It is one of the most rewarding investments that you can ever make. All payments are invested through the Alumni Association to ensure that the support you show as a Life Member today can be fulfilled in the years to come. 
 

Chapter members who wish to become life members can do so by paying a one-time membership contribution of $750. This life membership fee can also be paid in installments, spread out over three years.  All payments must be made directly through the Chapter using any of the three payment options below:
 

  • One-time payment:   $750
  • Installment plan 1:    Installments of (3) payments of $250
  • Installment plan 2:    Installments of (6) payments of $125


If you choose one of the two installment plans shown above, you may pay off the balance at any time; however, the final balance must be paid off within the third year of the anniversary of the initial payment. The life membership designation only becomes effective upon receipt of your final payment and until such time you will be considered a subscribing life member.  If you are interested in becoming a Life Member, simply indicate your desire on the membership application form. It's that simple! 



Benefits to Becoming a  Life Member:


Save Money
The cost of life membership is lower over the long term. Pay once and never pay national dues again! 


Alumni Pride 
A life membership to the Virginia State University Alumni Association ensures that you will always remain connected and is one of the best ways to show your loyalty and support. 


Join the ranks of a loyal group of VSU supporters
Join a loyal group of Alumni Association life members who show their loyalty and support to Virginia State University through the Alumni Association.
 

Receive recognition on this website and the National Alumni Association website
 

Proudly display your Life Membership Status
Life members receive a Life membership Card, Lapel Pin, and a certificate for all to see the pride and commitment they have for the Alumni Association and the University.

Join/Renew Life Membership

Chapter Life Members

We are proud to highlight our Chapter members who have demonstrated their love and support for the University and the Alumni Association by choosing to become a Life Member.   

  1. Harold Amaker
  2. Walter Bailey
  3. Mint Basnight
  4. Jimmy Bethea
  5. Areva Boyd
  6. Helen Butler
  7. Jessie Crawford
  8. Cleo Davis, Jr.
  9. Jean Dudley
  10. Dora Halton
  11. J. Otis Harris, Jr.
  12. Milton Hill
  13. James Johnson
  14. Gia Knox
  15. Robert Mills
  16. Thomas Montague
  17. Italy Overton
  18. Russell Powell
  19. Annabelle Strayhorn
  20. Francis Suggs

Century Club Membership 

Century Club Membership is a unique membership level offered only by the Washington, DC Chapter. Membership is open to all Annual, Associate, and/or Life Members within the Chapter that would like to join.  Century Club members play a very important role in the Chapter's efforts to provide financial support back to Virginia State University. These members are very special to the Chapter as they "go the extra mile" to help build the Chapter's Endowment Fund by providing a $50.00 donation over and above the Chapter's annual membership dues. 


Becoming a Century Club member is a great way to say "I love VSU!" and an even better way to make a personal investment into the future of the University through the Chapter. It also proves that no level of support is too small and, when combined with others, can make a tremendous impact.  If you are interested in joining the Century Club, simply indicate your desire on the membership application form and include the extra $50 donation when you submit your membership payment. It's that simple! 


Century Club Membership Payment Structure (per year)

  • Annual & Associate Members:            $60 annual dues + $50.00 =  $110.00 per year 
  • Life Members:                                      $30 annual dues + $50.00 =  $  80.00 per year

Annual MembershipAssociate Membership Life Membership

New Graduates

Congratulations on your recent graduation and welcome to the Washington, DC metropolitan area! The Washington, DC Chapter is proud of your recent accomplishment and is committed to providing support to you as you continue your education in graduate school or begin the transition from student life to professional life here in the Washington, DC area. While we fully understand that as a new graduate you may not be ready or settled enough to take on an active role within the life of the Chapter, we encourage you to do the following:


Stay Connected 

  • Subscribe to the VSUAA Online E-mail Listserv. This will help keep you connected and up-to-date on news and information about the University and the Alumni Association wherever opportunity takes you. To join, simply click here to get CONNECTED!!!

  • Like us on Facebook

  • Keep your information up- to-date. This will help the Alumni Association keep its own alumni database up-to-date. Use the Member profile on the National Alumni Association website to accomplish this.

  • Inform the University of your new mailing address. Wherever opportunity takes you, keep the University informed of your new mailing address by sending an email to alumni@vsu.edu . This will help the University stay in constant contact with you and ensure that you receive pertinent alumni information, such as the Virginia State University Alumni Magazine.


Attend a Chapter Meeting

  • Membership is Free. Attend a chapter meeting without having to worry about paying membership dues right away. As a new graduate, your membership is free for the first year. 

  • Networking is key as you relocate and start your life here in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Making contact with alumni in the area can be very beneficial to you so don’t miss out –take advantage of your free membership in the Chapter and start networking today.

Attend a Chapter Event

  • The Chapter offers area alumni an exciting mix of networking, cultural, social, athletic, recreational, and educational activities. These activities include happy hours, sporting events, summer cookouts, events to raise funds for scholarships and to recruit area high school students to the University, plus much, much more! Joining the Chapter can be the best network of support for recent graduates and area newcomers, so we encourage you to join the proud ranks of Washington, DC area alumni who have found it beneficial to remain connected to a great university and a network of Trojan alumni. Your connection with the Washington, DC Chapter can help you in your road to success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Congratulations!  You've joined or are thinking about joining the Washington, DC Chapter but you still have more questions.    Provided below are answers to our most frequent member inquiries. 
qualifications?

Question 1: I am thinking about joining the Chapter when should I pay my membership dues? 
Answer:  Chapter membership dues can be paid anytime. However, the Chapter year is from July 1 to June 30 of each calendar year, so joining late in the year will only give you a few months of membership benefits. Since membership dues is not prorated based on when you join during the year, we encourage you to join as early as you can. Even if this is not possible, we still encourage you to pay your membership dues and based on the month you pay it we can roll it over to the next year.


Question 2: I just paid my membership dues, when will I receive confirmation?
Answer: You should receive a Chapter Welcome letter by mail within two weeks of joining. You will also receive an e-mail confirmation (if you have e-mail), gain full access to the Member's Only section on this website, and be added to the Chapter's telephone messaging system within the first week of joining. It will take approximately three weeks for you to receive your Virginia State University Alumni Association membership card. As a new member, we welcome you to attend our monthly Chapter meetings and the many activities and events that we hold throughout the year.


Question 3: I would like to hold a leadership position within the Chapter. What are the qualifications?

Answer: If you have an interest in serving as a volunteer leader within the Chapter, please let our Chapter President now of your interest. Everyone has unique talents and gifts to bring to the Chapter and your participation is needed and welcomed at any level. The only requirement to obtaining a leadership position within the Chapter is that you must be a financial member. Elected officers of the Chapter are as follows: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and Chaplain. Committee chair positions are appointed by the President. All elected leadership positions are for a term of two years. 


Question 4: How is my dues allocated?

Answer: Chapter membership dues is $60 per year; $30 of which goes directly to pay your Virginia State Univeristy Alumni Association National dues while the remainder stays with the Chapter. The $30 that is kept with the Chapter is used to support a wide variety of Chapter projects and activities, including our annual Scholarship Dinner Dance, Scholarship Golf Tournament, and Midnight Moonlight Cruise. This is why your membership dues is so important.


Question 5: I am a member but my e-mail address, home address, telephone number has changed. What do I do?  
Answer: If your personal membership information has changed, please send those changes to the Chapter's Membership Chair at membership@vsuaadc.com.  


Need Additional Questions Answered? Contact Adarius our Membership Chair @ membership@vsuaadc.com