More than a 100th anniversary party

Alumni leaving a legacy

Stan Freese (B.A. '67) was master of ceremonies at the UMAA Birthday Party of the Century on January 30. Freese was also one of the judges who helped selected "Go Minnesota!" as the winning cheer in a UMAA-sponsored contest.

Photo by Tim Rummelhoff

From M, summer 2004

As the University of Minnesota Alumni Association began planning how to mark its 100th anniversary, Executive Director Margaret Carlson (Ph.D. '83) recalls thinking, "This has to be more than a party. We're celebrating 100 years, but at the same time we need to leave an enduring legacy that will be the cornerstone of our future."

Over the years, the alumni association's tradition has been one of working to promote and protect the University; to build pride and enthusiasm; to honor great alumni, teachers, and students; and to help fund and build campus buildings. But in its 100th year, the UMAA outdid itself. The legacy of the UMAA 100th anniversary will be found in lasting monuments, in bricks and mortar, in spirit and song, and in student scholarships.

In September, the UMAA National Board of Directors voted to donate $1 million to an on-campus football stadium. "The on-campus stadium complex will be a place where we come together to celebrate shared milestones and create spirit," UMAA National Board President Jerry Noyce (B.A. '67) said at the time of the board vote. The stadium, proposed for the area just northeast of the McNamara Alumni Center, is still in the early planning stages, but it could be open by 2008.

The UMAA board also pledged $500,000 for student scholarships, which U President Bob Bruininks pledged to match with University funds under a new scholarship match program. "In addition to a football home, we're helping provide a collegiate home for some of the best and brightest students by easing their escalating financial burden," Noyce said.

As a partner in the University Gateway Corporation, the UMAA is helping build the Scholars' Walk and a landmark on the Gateway Plaza (see related story).

A new musical cheer, "Go Minnesota!," debuted on January 30. Written by Brad Stokes (B.S. '84), the jazzy cheer resulted from a UMAA contest to give the University more music in its repertoire. The U's pep bands began playing it at Gopher hockey and basketball games in the winter, and it is expected to become a mainstay at Gopher football contests this coming fall.

A Century of Memories chronicled the UMAA's 100 years of advocacy, spirit, and alumni connections in 36 pages, preserving the information--and the goals and traditions of the organization--for the next 100 years. Copies of the publication were mailed to all association members in January. Extra copies are available by calling the alumni association at 612-624-2323.

For anniversary extras, slide shows of events, and on-line versions of A Century of Memories and the "Go Minnesota!" cheer, visit www.alumni.umn.edu/100.