University of Utah. Alumni Association

Organized in 1886 first for graduates of the U, later extended to all ex-students. Its purpose was to promote a general interest in the cause of education and to perpetuate friendships.

The University of Utah Alumni Association was organized in 1886 "to promote a general interest in the cause of education and to perpetuate the friendships formed between the graduates of the University." In 1925, a nationwide system of Alumni Clubs was organized. The immediate reason for the organization of these clubs was to aid in the fundraising campaign for the original Union Building, now Kingsbury Hall.

The Alumni Association has been involved in the following activities:

1. An annual alumni banquet;

2. Class reunions;

3. The Emeritus Club for all alumni of fifty or more years standing;

4. Participation in Founders Day celebrations;

5. Participation in Homecoming;

6. Maintaining the Alumni Club organization;

7. Publishing The Utah Alumnus.

During the period covered by the bulk of these records, Douglas O. Woodruff (1927-1957) and Paul R. Cracroft (1957-1967) served as Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association has historically carried on a supportive relationship with the student union program at the University of Utah which was exemplified by the financial support that the Association provided for the construction of both the first Student Union Building in 1931 and the Olpin Union in 1957.

Douglas O. Woodruff was an important figure in this historical relationship between the Alumni Association and the Student Unions. During his long career at the University (1927 to 1963), Woodruff served as the Director of the Union Building Drive, 1927; Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association, 1927-1957; Secretary of the Utah Union Building Corporation, 1928-1963; Director of the University of Utah Union, 1931-1963; Director of Food Services, 1940-1956; and Director of the University of Utah development fund, 1945 to 1957. Woodruff is also noted for implementing student building fees which raised revenue for the construction of the Student Unions, serving as Managing Editor of the "Utah Alumnus" magazine from 1927 to 1956, founding the University of Utah's Emeritus Club, and serving as President of the American Association of College Unions from 1947 through 1948.