University of Washington Alumni Association

UW Alumni Association
Established 1889
Type 501(c)(3)
President ROy Diaz ' ’94, ’96, ’02
Director Paul Rucker, '95, '02
Location Seattle, WA
Colors Purple and Gold         
Mascot Huskies
Affiliations University of Washington
Website UWAA Home Page

The University of Washington Alumni Association (UWAA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization. Membership does not require one to be a graduate of the University of Washington. UWAA's mission is to support the UW and higher education in the state of Washington. [1]

UWAA History

In 1889 a small group of alumni founded the University of Washington Alumni Association, this was the same year that Washington entered the Union as the 42nd state.[2]

Under the direction of R. Bronsdon "Curly" Harris, who served as director of graduate relations and executive secretary of the alumni association from 1936–1964, the UWAA incorporated as a social-educational, non-profit organization. During that time, a member benefits program was established, awards programs were created, reunions and Homecoming activities were added, and active alumni political lobbying started to support the university's interests.

Tracy King became director of the association in 1979, and began helping the membership expand from the then-current level of 15,000.[3] To help finance its growing role in support of the University of Washington, the UWAA began aggressive member recruitment programs in the mid-1980s when membership totaled less than 30,000. Today, nearly a third of the school's living graduates are members, making it one of the largest alumni associations in the nation. More than 50,000 members engage the alumni community through social, learning, athletic and volunteer activities.

Events and Programs

The UWAA serves the University of Washington through programs, events and services targeted at alumni and friends. Many of these activities are produced in partnership with various units and departments on campus and range from exhibits and open houses to lectures and group travel opportunities. The UWAA and its partners raise approximately $50,000 each year for student scholarships.[4]

UWAA signature events:

Homecoming

Husky Happy Hours

Washington Warm Ups

Viewing Parties

The UWAA signature programs:

UW Alumni Tours

UW hosts around 35 tours every year for alumni and friends of the University of Washington. These tours reach a wide variety of countries spanning across every continent, as well as partners with different travel operators so that they are able to offer land-based travel, cruises & even an around-the-world trip on a private plane.[5]

Online Learning

UW Alumni Association has a collection of lectures they hosted available for free on iTunes.[6]

Lecture Series

UW Alumni Association co-hosts several lecture series annually. These include the Graduate School Public Lectures Series,[7] the History Lecture Series & the Seattle Arts & Lectures - SAL U series.[8]

Membership

The UW Alumni Association connects graduates and friends of the University of Washington in many ways. The best way to take advantage of all the UW offers alumni is to join the UWAA. More than 50,000 people have already joined and are making the UW stronger through their support of the alumni association. Member dues support Columns magazine as well as the myriad UWAA events and programs that connect alumni and raise money for student scholarship.[9]

Publications

The UWAA produces two publications: Columns, the University of Washington Alumni Magazine,[3] which is distributed quarterly to more than 200,000 households,[10] and Viewpoints Magazine, the University of Washington Diversity Publication, which is distributed bi-annually to approximately 30,000 individuals.[11]

UW Impact

Launched in 2010, UW Impact is a civic advocacy initiative organized by the private, independent, non-profit UW Alumni Association. Its purpose is to increase awareness and understanding of the value and impact of higher education and specifically the University of Washington. UW Impact provides opportunities for alumni and friends to take action in support of the University of Washington and higher education in general. It is funded by the UWAA and not at public expense. It does not represent the views of the university.[12][13][14]

Leadership and staff

Led by Executive Director Paul Rucker, ’95, ’02,[15] approximately 30 staff members provide support for UWAA members and alumni across the world.

The UWAA is governed by a 25-member Board of Trustees, including a six-member Executive Committee (President, Past President, President-Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary). Susan Wilson Williams, '73, is the current president and will be until July 31, 2012.

References

  1. ↑ What We Do - UW Alumni Association
  2. ↑ Statehood Dates
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ellison, Jake (August 25, 2004), "Tracy King, 1931-2004: He led growth of UW Alumni Association", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2011-11-28
  4. ↑ Scholarships & Grants - UW Alumni Association
  5. ↑ http://www.washington.edu/alumni/tours/index.html
  6. ↑ http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/uw-alumni-association-online/id431501337
  7. ↑ http://www.grad.washington.edu/lectures/
  8. ↑ http://www.lectures.org/season/sal_u.php
  9. ↑ Membership - UW Alumni Association
  10. ↑ Columns Magazine - The University of Washington Alumni Magazine
  11. ↑ Viewpoints: A publication in partnership with the diversity community of the UW and the UWAA
  12. ↑ Long, Katherine. "New UW alumni group wants louder voice in Olympia". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  13. ↑ UW Alumni Association Raises Its Voice
  14. ↑ UW Alumni Association Encourages Participation In Advocacy Efforts - The Daily
  15. ↑ Rucker to Lead UWAA - Columns Magazine

External links