University of Washington Alumni Association

The University of Washington Alumni Association (UWAA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to connect alumni with the University of Washington and its mission. Founded in 1889, the same year Washington became a state, only a handful of UW graduates comprised the organization at its inception. Today, the UWAA has approximately 50,000 members worldwide. [ [http://www.washington.edu/alumni/about/about.html UWAA - What We Do ] ]

Infobox_University
name =UW Alumni Association
established =1889
president =Norm Proctor
director =Chuck Blumenfeld, '66, '69
type =501(c)(3)
city =Seattle
state =WA
mascot =Huskies
colors =Purple and Gold color box|#461D7Ccolor box|#FFB300
website = [http://www.uwalum.com UWAA Main Page]
affiliations=University of Washington

UWAA History

Under the direction of R. Bronsdon "Curly" Harris, who served as director of graduate relations and executive secretary of the Alumni Association from 1936-64, 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.

To help finance its growing role in support of the University, 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. [ [http://www.washington.edu/alumni/about/about.html UWAA - What We Do ] ]

Events and Programs

The UWAA serves the University of Washington through many programs similar to those established decades ago, but its range has increased and now includes more than 300 UWAA-hosted events and programs each year. Many of these activities are in partnership with various units and departments on campus and range from exhibits and open houses to lecture series and group travel plans. The UWAA raises approximately $200,000 annually for student scholarships through many of these events and programs. [ [http://www.washington.edu/alumni/students/scholarships.html UWAA Student Information - Scholarships and Support ] ]

The UWAA hosts several signature events throughout the year, including:

Homecoming

* Homecoming festivities kick off each year with the annual Dawg Dash run/walk that weaves its way through the Seattle campus. A number of spirited events and competitions follow, such as the Homecoming Rally in “Red Square” the night before the football game. Also included in Homecoming Week is the Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP) Bridging the Gap Breakfast that celebrates diversity at the UW and in the community.

Career Discovery Week

* Typically held in January, this week-long series features approximately 100 workshops, presentations and networking events on all three UW campuses. Most of the events, activities and programs are free and geared toward students, alumni and members of the community seeking professional career advice and an opportunity to network with others. The annual career expo sees participation from more than 50 academic and administrative departments, hundreds of successful graduates who come back to sit on panels and take part in the networking events, and thousands of students and alumni who want to give their careers a boost.

Washington Weekend

* Every spring, the University of Washington opens its doors and invites alumni, students, parents, community members and faculty and staff to tour the campus and attend dozens of free activities and events. Ranging from open houses and art exhibits to lectures and Husky sporting events, Washington Weekend offers a unique chance to go behind the scenes and experience all that the University of Washington has to offer.

Husky Summer Celebration

* Thousands of UW graduates live outside the Seattle metropolitan area, and Husky Summer Celebration is their chance to reunite and show their Husky pride. Each year, UW grads nationwide gather together to celebrate the purple and gold with a series of events hosted and planned by alumni clubs throughout the country. Nearly 20 alumni groups planned a Husky Summer Celebration event in 2007, and more are expected to organize in the future.

Coaches Tour

* For more than 35 years, the UWAA has brought Husky fans out of the stands and into the action through face-to-face events such as Coaches Tour. Participants at these springtime events are invited to play a round of golf with fellow Huskies and rub elbows with UW coaches at Husky Insider Banquets. Seven stops are planned for 2008 and include events in Tacoma, Everett, Yakima and Spokane. Fans get the inside scoop on Husky athletics and help raise scholarship money for UW students and student-athletes in their regions.

Leadership and Staff

Led by Executive Director Chuck Blumenfeld, ’66, ’69, [ [http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns/sept05/news_blumenfeld.html All in the Family: Blumenfeld Follows Tradition as Alumni President | Columns Magazine - The University of Washington Alumni Magazine ] ] approximately 40 staff members provide support for alumni volunteers working on behalf of more than four dozen geographic chapters across the country and world. The UWAA also assists more than a dozen partner clubs serving alumni from specific schools, colleges and departments, as well as those with special interests.

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).

Membership

The UWAA is a member-based organization. Alumni and friends of the University are eligible for membership and receive a variety of benefits in return.

Publications

The UWAA produces two publications: Columns, the University of Washington Alumni Magazine, which is distributed quarterly to more than 240,000 households [ [http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns/index.html Columns Magazine - The University of Washington Alumni Magazine ] ] , and Viewpoints, the University of Washington Diversity Publication, which is distributed bi-annually to approximately 35,000 individuals [ [http://www.washington.edu/alumni/publications/viewpoints Viewpoints: a publication in partnership with the diversity community of the UW and the UWAA ] ] . Additionally, the UWAA publishes dozens of communications pieces each year targeted to a wide variety of constituent audiences.

References

External links

UWAA Main Page | http://www.washington.edu/alumni/
University of Washington Main Page | http://www.washington.edu/
Columns Magazine | http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns/
Viewpoints Magazine | http://www.washington.edu/alumni/publications/viewpoints/