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University of Connecticut, Alumni Association Records

 Collection
Identifier: 1998-0253

Scope and Content

The collection contains administrative and financial records of the earlier years of the organization, in addition to reports, correspondence, publications and similar documentation of the activities of the organization and the alumni of the institution. As appropriate, materials collected from Alumni have been added to the collection.

Dates

  • undated, 1881-1986

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from the owner(s) of the copyright.

History

On 15 June 1888, a meeting was held at the Storrs Agricultural School to form an Alumni Association. Isacc B. Wakeman ’85 was elected as the first president. A list of graduates was read at the first meeting, including six from each of the Classes of 1882, 1884, and 1885 and twenty-nine from 1886, 1887, and 1888 for a total of forty-seven alumni. Dues for the new association were set at $1.

The Association first became interested in supporting students in 1890 as it set up a $10 prize for a member of the graduating class who passed a practical examination before an alumni committee. The Association also appointed a committee to encourage the appointment of an alumnus on the Board of Trustees. The Constitution and By-laws of 1888 were put into print in 1892. Dr. Andrew L. Hyde was appointed the first Alumni Trustee in 1895.

On 15 June 1894, it was voted to change the Association's name to the Alumni Association of the Storrs Agricultural School and College. In 1895, the name was once again changed to the Alumni Association of Storrs Agricultural College.

In 1921 it was voted to have an Alumni Secretary; the position to be funded jointly by the Association and the University. Mr. A. J. Brundage, Class of 1910, was engaged as the first Secretary on a part-time basis. The next Field Secretary was Robert H. Mathewson (1922-1924) who developed an alumni newspaper, The Connecticut Alumnus.

During the early twenties, the By Laws were re-written, and the dues increased to $2 annually or $34 for life membership. In 1933, the Association became the Connecticut State College Alumni Association, and during 1939 the University of Connecticut Alumni Association. Willard Eddy was president of the Alumni Association when the Board of Directors selected George E. Pinckney as Alumni Field Secretary. Mr. Pinckney served twenty-four years as Alumni Secretary.

The Constitution and By Laws were revised in 1961 and dues were increased to $5. The alumni body numbered 24,000 in 1962 when George Pinckney retired and Reuben B. Johnson became the first director of alumni relations. In November 1962, President Babbidge and Reuben Johnson developed a new role for alumni in the establishment of a "Margin for Excellence" program that successfully continues today.

The mission of the Alumni Association is to strengthen lifelong bonds between all members of the UConn family by inspiring pride and providing quality programs and services which enhance the diverse university community.

Additional information about the Association, its activities and officers is available at the Alumni Association homepage.

Extent

4.8 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains early records of the Alumni Association associated with the University.

Arrangement

Series I: Administrative Records (undated, 1881-1945, 1961, 1970) includes correspondence, reports, financial and administrative records documenting the activities of the Association.

Series II: Alumni Record Cards (1883-1942) contains information cards on alumni of the institution.

Series III: Alumni Correspondence (undated, 1961-1966) contains correspondence, notes and clippings from Alumni.

Series IV: Class Materials (undated, 1924-1986) contains correspondence, financial records and materials pertaining to reunions for specific classes.

Acquisition Information

The materials were transferred to Archives & Special Collections at an undetermined date prior to 1995.

Separated Material

The following materials have been separated from the collection and cataloged:

Commencement Clarion Dodd Periodicals

C.A.C. Four Songs Dodd Call No.

Directory: Faculty, Staff and Students Dodd Periodicals

Official Weekly Bulletin, Division of Student Personnel. Dodd Periodicals

News Bulletin Dodd Periodicals

Two audio tapes and 6 slide carousels [Multimedia] associated with presentations, 2 buttons and several paper hats [Memorabilia] have been placed in the indicated University Archives collections.

Title
University of Connecticut, Alumni Association Records
Status
Published
Author
Archives & Special Collections staff
Date
2004 July
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Archives and Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library Repository

Contact:
University of Connecticut Library
405 Babbidge Road Unit 1205
Storrs Connecticut 06269-1205 USA US
860-486-2524