| 1897
|
The University of Arizona Alumni
Association was organized and its first constitution adopted on June 2,
1897. Eleven graduates were declared members. All faculty were named
honorary members. Mark Walker Jr. '97 was the first Association
president, serving until 1900. |
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| 1914
|
The first Homecoming was held on
Thanksgiving Day. |
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| 1920
|
The first Alumni Directory was published. |
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| 1922
|
On July 1, 1922, the combined office of
Graduate Manager of Athletics and Executive Secretary of Alumni was
established, headed by A. Louis Slonaker '21.
Arizona alumni numbered more than 800. |
| |
| 1923
|
The Alumni Association adopted a new
constitution on May 29. Dues were $10 for life membership.
The first issue of Arizona Alumnus was published, dated November
15, 1923. |
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| 1924
|
The Alumni Association expanded with
development of alumni clubs throughout Arizona and in major U.S. cities.
The first out-of-state club was organized in Southern California. |
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|
1927-28 |
The Alumni Association took on its first
fundraising project for a new football stadium and athletic facilities.
The new stadium was dedicated on October 12, 1929. |
| |
| 1934
|
The Alumni Association conducted its first
scholarship fund drive, raising $350. |
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|
1935-36 |
Beginning with the September 15th issue,
Alumnus magazine's circulation was 6,000.
A $1 subscription rate was charged for six issues of Alumnus
magazine, beginning in the fall of 1936. Graduates who paid a $10 life
membership fee received a free three-year subscription. |
| |
| 1940
|
J. Melvin Goodson '27 was named the first
full-time executive secretary of the Alumni Association, effective June
10. |
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| 1942
|
Executive Secretary Goodson left in August
for Air Force service. Margaret Nielson Grozier '35 was appointed acting
executive secretary for the duration of the war.
The Alumnus magazine was sent free to alumni in armed forces. |
| |
| 1945
|
Executive Secretary Goodson returned on
October 1, 1945, and visited the Southern California Club in Los Angeles
on October 23. |
| |
| 1946
|
The first Homecoming since 1941 was held
November 9. |
| |
| 1947
|
The first Homecoming Queen, Ruth Tackett,
was crowned at the University's 30th Homecoming on November 22. |
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|
1947-48 |
Alumni engaged in fundraising activities
for a new Student Union Memorial Building.
A. Louis Slonaker was acting alumni director between May 16, 1948, and
December 31, 1948. |
| |
| 1949
|
A. Lee Lowery '37 was named alumni director
and served until 1954. |
| |
| 1954
|
F. W. Boyd Allen '31 was named executive
secretary of the Alumni Association and director of the newly created
University of Arizona Foundation. |
| |
| 1956
|
An alumni fund drive was initiated in the
fall of 1956. The money collected was to be used for scholarships, the
research general fund, and the operation of the Alumni Association.
The Tucson Alumni Club was organized.
The Alumni Association filed articles of incorporation and adopted new
by-laws, which were approved October 27, 1956. A board of directors
replaced the former executive committee to manage the Association. |
| |
| 1958
|
Marvin D. "Swede" Johnson '50 became the
director of the Alumni Association and served until he was named a
University vice president. |
| |
| 1963
|
James E. Gibson '62 was named alumni
director. |
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| 1965
|
The Phoenix Office of the Alumni
Association opened.
The Alumni Wildcat edition of Arizona Alumnus was introduced:
three magazines and four Alumni Wildcat tabloid newspapers per year were
published. |
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| 1968
|
Michael J. Harrold '64 became the acting
director of alumni and permanently assumed the post in 1972. |
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| 1971
|
A computerized record system for the Alumni
Association was put in place using punch cards. |
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| 1972
|
The Alumni Travel Program was launched. |
| |
| 1979
|
The Alumni Association offices moved to the
Slonaker Alumni Building (formerly Pima Hall) in July. |
| |
| 1981
|
Hugh Harelson '52 was named to the newly
created post of executive director of university relations and acting
director of alumni, following the departure of Mike Harrold who entered
private business.
Kent D. Rollins '73 was appointed director of alumni, effective October
3. |
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| 1982
|
The Alumni dues program was dropped.
The Alumni endowment fund was established. The first campaign was
chaired by Duane Miller, past Alumni Association president.
A new computerized alumni records system was implemented. |
| |
| 1983
|
Hispanic and Black Alumni organizations
were established.
The Alumni Association was actively involved in student recruitment. The
first student recruitment seminar was held. |
| |
| 1984
|
The Los Angeles regional alumni office
opened.
The computer-based magazine, UA TODAY, the forerunner to the Alumni
Association Web site, was established. |
| |
| 1985
|
The Tents on the Mall tradition at
Homecoming began with 12 organizations participating.
The UA Centennial Arizona Alumni Directory was published.
The tabloid newspaper version of Arizona Alumnus was
discontinued. Two glossy color magazines a year were mailed to all
alumni free of charge.
Arizona Alumni Forum, a monthly television program produced by the
Alumni Association, aired in Tucson, Phoenix, and Yuma.
The Alumni Association produced Arizona Magazine, a weekly statewide
radio program.
The first Black Alumni basketball fundraising event for scholarships was
held in April. |
| |
| 1986
|
The Alumni Association won national
recognition from the Council for the Advancement and Support of
Education (CASE) in the form of two gold medals and one bronze medal.
The circulation of Arizona Alumnus exceeded 100,000 for the first
time.
Wildcat Sports Week, a national sports newsletter covering University of
Arizona intercollegiate sports, began. Eight hundred alumni subscribed
for $20 a year.
The Action Travel Program was started to attract younger alumni.
UA Homecoming was featured on the Geraldo! television program. |
| |
| 1987
|
A CASE gold medal was won for Publication
Improvement for Arizona Alumnus magazine.
An associate director for external affairs and an assistant director for
class gifts and reunions were added to the professional staff.
Five hundred people participated in the first "Tour of the Tucson
Mountains," a bicycle fundraising event on April 5. The ride was
dedicated to former student body president, the late Richard Garcia.
The Student Alumni Association raised $12,000 in pledges in the first
"Senior Challenge" to benefit the Alumni Endowment.
Affinity financial services, including credit cards and credit line
programs, were established as revenue-generating projects.
AlumNotes, a leadership newsletter, was sent to 500 volunteers
nationally.
The Alumni Endowment Fund exceeded $500,000 for the first time.
Tom Berresford was the first out-of-state resident to serve as the
Association's president.
Bobcats became a coeducational honorary by naming its first female
members. |
| |
| 1988
|
The Alumni Association moved to the new
Foundation/Alumni building on Speedway and Cherry.
The Alumni Association won four CASE medals: gold for Program
Improvement, silver for Student Programs, bronze for the Arizona
Alumnus, and bronze for UA TODAY.
The first Alumni Emeritus Luncheon was held.
The first Bear Down Bash was held as the "All Alumni" celebration. |
| |
| 1989
|
A major records system computer upgrade
took place. |
| |
| 1990
|
The Collegiate License Plate scholarship
program started. |
| |
| 1991
|
The Alumni Directory was published.
UA alumni numbered more than 150,000.
The Alumni Legislative Advocacy Program was launched, and the Arizona
Tri-University Alumni Council was established. |
| |
| 1992
|
Astronomy Camp won a CASE silver medal for
alumni projects and programs.
The Association hired its first director of International Alumni and
Development. |
| |
| 1993
|
Alumni from around the country gathered to
dedicate the Marvin D. "Swede" Johnson Building.
Young Alumni groups were formed in Tucson, Phoenix, and San Francisco.
The International Alumni and Development Board was established, along
with clubs in Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. |
| |
| 1994
|
The first Club Leadership Conference was
held.
The first European Alumni Club was established in London. A UA
presidential delegation visited alumni clubs in England and Oman. Clubs
also were established in Seoul, Korea, and Yokohama, Japan. |
| |
| 1995
|
The Alumni Association hired its first
chief financial officer.
The Visitor Information Program, in partnership with the UA Visitor's
Center, was started.
The UA Alumni Association was one of the first nationally to have a Web
site. |
| |
| 1996
|
American Indian and Asian American Alumni
Clubs were established.
The Hispanic Alumni Endowment exceeded $1 million.
The Alumni Association Endowment exceeded $3 million.
The Alumni Travel Program shared a national PBS development award with
KUAT-TV.
Career Connections was started in partnership with UA Career Services.
Alumni Association President Kent D. Rollins was elected president of
the Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE).
Alumni clubs were established in Stuttgart, Germany, and Amman, Jordan. |
| |
| 1997
|
The Arizona Alumni Association celebrated
the 100th anniversary of its founding.
In celebration of its centennial, the Alumni Association dedicated the
UA Heritage Hall, located in the Student Union.
An Alumni Association Centennial Directory was published. |
| |
| 1999
|
Arizona Alumnus was increased to four
issues per year. |
| |
| 2000
|
UA alumni numbered more than 200,000.
The Alumni Association hired its first development officer and launched
a $10 million endowment campaign, The Arizona Experience. |
| |
| 2001
|
Alumni Association President Kent Rollins
retired in June after serving nearly 20 years at the Alumni Association.
In July, Sandy Ruhl was promoted from vice president to president of the
Alumni Association.
Plans for the Alumni Plaza began.
The Alumni Association's new Web site was launched in November. |
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