History

The UHCL Alumni Association was founded in 1981 by a group of alumni with the foresight to know that even a young university needs an alumni organization. Today, the association represents more than 45,000 alumni and provides former students with current information and opportunities to remain involved with their alma mater. Now more than 20 years old, the association sponsors outreach receptions, lectures, art exhibits, workshops, career programs, publications, faculty awards, student mentoring programs and thousands of dollars in annual scholarships.

Timeline for the UHCL Alumni Association:

1981
Formed by a small group of judicious, motivated, young alumni, and inaugurates its first association president, Micheal Reeves.

1984
Inaugurates the annual Bayou Ball, honoring the first two Distinguished Alumni and begins funding scholarships.

1986
Establishes the Alumni Scholarship Fund, which is later endowed.

1989
Co-founds a university-wide fund, “Funding Our Future,” which set the stage for the current university annual fund program.

1992
Inaugurates the Bayou Classic Golf Tournament and the Bayou Chef’s Night and Auction benefiting the scholarship endowment fund.

1995
Gives a record-breaking $55,000 contribution to the UHCL Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment.

1996
Forms its first official alumni chapter – the Southern Brazoria County Chapter.

1997
Reaches the $100,000 mark in contributions to the UHCL Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment.

1999
As a tribute to UHCL’s 25th Anniversary, creates distinguished alumni “Wall of Honor,” a permanent display in the Bayou Building, to recognize alumni who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments and careers have brought credit to the institution.

2000
Establishes the UHCL Alumni Association Program Development Endowment to support faculty, student and staff programmatic development initiatives other than scholarships.

Surpasses its goal to raise $500,000 for the UHCL Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment.

2002
Students Christine Hughes and Holly Smoot form the Student Alumni Organization, as the student chapter of the UHCL Alumni Association.

Hosts its first honor cording ceremony for Student Alumni, recognizing outstanding contributions by individual members.

2003
Establishes Distinguished Alumni Legacy Scholarship Fund.

2004
Creates the first ever Leadership Service Award, honoring Marilyn Lunney as its first recipient.

Forms its first official constituent group, Management Information Systems Alumni Association.

2005
Welcomes all UHCL alumni to the association and eliminates membership dues.