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Collection

Alumni Association (University of Michigan) records, 1845-2001

169.8 linear feet (in 171 boxes) — 1 oversize volume — 84.4 GB (online)

Online
The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan was established in 1897 following a consolidation of the Society of Alumni with the alumni societies of the professional schools. The Michigan Alumnus became the association's official organ. As the organization grew, local chapters were established and provided greater structure. The records include files pertaining to the Alumni Association's administrative office and various chapters and interests groups. This includes national and international U-M alumni and alumnae clubs, the Alumnae Council, the Society of Alumni, the University of Michigan Black Alumni (UMBA-formerly the African American Alumni Council (AAC)), and the Reunion of Black Graduates (RBG). The records include but are not limited to correspondence, minutes, reports, and survey responses, audiovisual materials, digital files, photographs, and publications.

The collection spans 1845-2001. The textual records of the Alumni Association (boxes 1-133) are largely unprocessed, and are described in only general terms in this finding aid. Exceptions include files maintained by Marjorie Williams who served as the vice chair and chair of the Alumnae Council from 1960 to 1962, Class Reunion files, and Topical Files.

Additions to the collection (boxes 168-171) incorporate records, audiovisual materials, photographs, and publications pertaining to the University of Michigan Black Alumni (UMBA). To note are materials specifically related to the African American Alumni Council (AAAC)-formerly the UMBA, and the Reunion of Black Graduates (RBG). This includes information about the Dr. Leonard F. Sain Award, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. scholarship and symposium, the Camp Michigania retreat, and annual reunion for black graduates photographs, planning materials, and souvenir books.

Folder

Classes and Reunions, 1870-1951

The series Classes (Boxes 97-104; and box 118) contains information on classes and individual graduates from 1870 to 1909. Documentation includes reunion information, class "records" detailing the status of members of particular classes as well as obituary information on deceased class members. Information on classes is scattered throughout the record group. Several folders of emeritus reunion classes also pertain to various classes. Related material on classes from 1894 to 1963 is located in the Class Reunion Files series (Boxes 148-154).

Folder

Society of Alumni, 1845-1897

The Society of Alumni series (box 122) contains records of this precursor to the Alumni Association. The society was initially open to graduates of all the schools and colleges but eventually was defined as the alumni organization of the literary college. Often the society functioned as a coordinating body for the loose confederation of societies formed by the other schools and colleges while also administering the Williams Professorship Fund. Records of the society include minutes, 1859-1897, a receipt book, letter book, and assorted early records including a compilation of alumni news articles appearing in campus publication from 1845 to 1892. The minutes include necrology reports on members of the universities early classes. Also included is a minute book of the Medical Alumni Association covering 1875-1897.

Folder

Topical Files, 1847-1994, undated

The Topical Files series (boxes 157-159; 164-167; and 169) includes one item from 1847 but otherwise spans the period from 1909 to 1998. The files are alphabetically arranged and cover a wide array of topics. The 1847 item is a receipt for room rent issued to Charles Beckwith of the class of 1849. The Beckwith folder also includes a biographical sketch written in 1941. There is considerable information on scholarships, fellowships and funds supported by the Alumni Association and Alumnae Council. Several of the files on individual funds and endowments include information on who the fund or endowment is named after. Some student reminiscences are included within this series detailing university life prior to 1900. Also within this series are materials on student recruitment, career placement, and internship and mentorship programs.

Notable files include material on the founding date of the university (located in the Frank Culver file), Milton Berger's description of Japanese surrender on Okinawa in 1945, and certificates chartering the first alumni club on the moon. The moon chapter folder contains information about the Apollo 15 space mission comprised of University of Michigan alumni James B. Irwin, David R. Scott, and Alfred M. Worden, Jr. Other notable files include a list of prominent minority alumni, and materials such as correspondence, reports, hearings and testimonies pertaining to racial incidents on U-M's campus.