Georgia Military College is excited to launch Voices of GMC: An Oral History Project, a special initiative dedicated to preserving the stories, memories, and experiences of our alumni.
In just three short years, Georgia Military College will celebrate its 150th anniversary. As we look ahead to this historic milestone, we cannot think of a better way to preserve the legacy of GMC than by hearing directly from the people who helped create it—you, our alumni.
GMC has partnered with PCI (Publishing Concepts, Inc.) to collect and preserve these stories for generations of the GMC family to come.
Your Story Matters
Your GMC story is uniquely yours, and we want to hear it.
Maybe it is a favorite professor, teacher, or coach who made a lasting impact on your life. Perhaps it is a friendship that began at GMC and has lasted for decades. Maybe your story comes from a memorable moment in the classroom, on the athletic field, on Main Campus, at a GMC location, or in the Corps of Cadets.
It could be a tradition you still remember, a challenge you overcame, a lesson you carried with you, or an experience that helped shape the person you are today.
How to Participate
Over the coming weeks, GMC alumni may receive a postcard, email, or phone call with information about the Voices of GMC project and instructions for participating.
If you receive a postcard or email containing a telephone number, simply call the number provided to speak with a dedicated PCI representative. During the call, you will have an opportunity to verify or update your alumni information and share your GMC story.
Alumni will also receive an email with a link allowing them to review their information and submit a story online.
There is no purchase required to participate or share your story.
What Happens to My Story?
The story-collection portion of Voices of GMC will take place over approximately six months.
Once stories have been collected, GMC will work with PCI over the following 6–12 months to develop a special collection celebrating the experiences and memories of our alumni.
The completed project will include a printed oral history collection, along with stories that can be shared digitally and online. Together, these stories will help preserve an important part of Georgia Military College’s history as we approach our 150th anniversary.
Alumni who participate will also have the opportunity to purchase their own copy of the completed collection in print and digital formats, as well as other GMC-branded items. Purchasing anything is completely optional and is not required to participate in the project.
What Story Will You Tell?
For nearly 150 years, generations of students have walked through the doors of Georgia Military College and left with memories, relationships, lessons, and experiences that stayed with them long after graduation.
Now, we have an opportunity to preserve those memories—in the words and voices of the alumni who lived them.
Your story is part of GMC’s story. Help us preserve it!
If you have questions about a communication you received regarding the project, please contact the Georgia Military College Office of Advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
I received an email/postcard/phone call asking for my personal information and a story about my experience at Georgia Military College. Tell me more about the project.
We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for Georgia Military College. PCI is a family owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at the College and how the College has helped shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.
Does GMC benefit from this at all?
Yes, in a few different ways:
- Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni
- Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our Institution
- Revenue – generates non-dues revenue for alumni programs
- Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our Institution
How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?
PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. Upon completion of the project, PCI will redact PII (Personal Identifiable Information) from any and all electronic files that we have supplied or were produced by PCI in connection with the production of the Oral History Project.
I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?
- If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify some basic data elements from the alumni information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at the school. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to the College at the conclusion of the project.
- If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
Can I choose what information prints in the publication?
The only information that is included in the publication is your name and class year, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your alumni record for GMC. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before the end of the updating phase by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.
I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.
You can call back at any time before the end of the updating phase to share your story.
I shared a story and the representative said I could send a photo. How do I do this?
You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.
If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).
Can anyone purchase a book?
The Georgia Military College Alumni Oral History Publication is available for sale only to GMC (and any predecessor or consolidated institutions) alumni only.
I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?
Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.
