University alumni opened their homes Sunday for students hungry for a home-cooked meal.

Stacy Stephens, a ’92 alumna and member of the Alumni Association Executive Board, along with her husband Carey, a ’96 graduate, invited students into their home for an event called “Dinner with the Dawgs.”

“This is the first time we have held a dinner,” Stacy said. “I’m on the alumni board, which is how I got to host the dinner.”

The Stephens family moved back to the Classic City three months ago after living in Buckhead. They now live in the same house Carey grew up in.

“It is nice to be back,” Carey said. “You never get bored, especially during football season.”

The Alumni Association event serves as a way for graduates to stay connected with the University and its students.

“The dinners are really a great way to network with alumni and talk to people about their UGA experience,” said Julie Cheney, a ’99 graduate.

“It is very popular with alumni because they can get back in contact with students and stay connected with the University.”

About 15 students members of the Student Alumni Association attended the dinner.

“They have been really welcoming,” said Shreya Desai, a sophomore from Smyrna. “This is a great way to meet fellow students, network and meet Georgia alumni.”

The Stephens’ served the students homemade barbecue – a welcome break from the typical college diet of Ramen noodles and pizza.

“We have alumni from all over the country that want to hold dinners,” Cheney said. “The Ray Nickelson House on Hull Street is the Alumni Association’s location for dinners hosted by out-of-state alumni.”

Alumni from various careers – including radio hosts, health care professionals and consultants – have hosted previous dinners.

“The dinner is really nice,” said Chelsea Reed, a real estate major from Morgantown, W.Va. “I’ve been a part of the [Student Alumni] Association for a while, and this is my first one.”

The Stephens’ said they were excited to be back in Athens and to meet with students.

Carey said he was impressed with how the University has changed since he graduated.

“It’s really built up,” he said. “Ramsey had just been built when I graduated, the Health Center on [East Campus] had not been built yet.”