TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama National Alumni Association has created a new program, one that is specifically aimed at UA students.

FATE (Future Alumni for Tradition and Excellence), the association’s new program, hopes to foster a strong relationship between UA alumni and current UA students. The Alumni Association currently includes 30,000 alumni, parents and friends who have joined together to support UA.

“We are all excited about this new program and are anxious to see it develop and grow. Most students graduate with little or no knowledge of the Alumni Association and we plan to change that. Our aim is to form a positive connection with students before they graduate,” said Pat Whetstone, director of the UA Alumni Association.

By joining FATE, students will be granted a number of benefits, including more than $100 worth of discounts, coupons and free items. They will also receive a complimentary membership in the local Tuscaloosa County chapter of the Alumni Association, one of more than 100 local chapters nationwide.

Student will also receive items such as a FATE T-shirt, Bama souvenirs, an opportunity to join the Alabama Credit Union, a 10 percent discount from Wings Sports Grille, Ginger’s, Tut’s, Bama Fever stores, Express Oil and car rental discounts.

In addition, students will also receive coupons to local Tuscaloosa stores such as Milo’s, TCBY, Gilda’s, The Crimson Café, Blockbuster and Kinko’s.

FATE will also hold sponsored events during the school year that will be available only to FATE members.

To join FATE, students can visit FATE’s secure website at http://fate.ua.edu, and click on “Join Today.” Students may also call the National Alumni Association at 205/348-5963. Students may also drop by Alumni Hall, located on Bryant drive between the baseball stadium and Moody Music Building beside the Bryant Conference Center.

The cost to join FATE is $15 annually.