Bringing 'em back

"It's a celebration of 100 years of alumni involvement in the university," said Kent D. Rollins, director of the association.

The Alumni Association has grown a great deal since its 11-member beginning in 1897.

Today it boasts more than 200,000 alumni in over 142 countries, Rollins said.

The Alumni Association centennial will be the theme of this weekend's Homecoming, from today's Bear Down Bash kick-off to closing activities, said Jennifer Harris, program coordinator for homecoming and reunions.

The annual Homecoming bash is the 73-year-old offspring of the association. The first one was held in 1914 on Thanksgiving.

Annual Homecoming celebrations link the vast network of alumni to the university, Harris said.

"It offers alumni an opportunity to reconnect with the campus and to visit with old friends," she said.

And to show off the university, Rollins added.

Rollins said alumni are vital to the university.

"The UA is in constant need of grassroots support by the products of the institution, the graduates. It comes in many different forms - volunteer time, money and advocacy and advice," he said.

Recently, the Alumni Association has extended its reach beyond coordination of alumni. The association also provides support services for alumni and current students.

It helps graduated students with their job searches through SkillSearch, a computerized rÚeacute;sumÚeacute; database that matches alumni to companies seeking employers with their qualifications.

The Alumni Career Connections, the Career Services arm of the association, links current students and recent graduates with hundreds of alumni throughout the world with similar career interests. The database may be sorted by career field, geography or major.

Anthropology and religious studies junior Audrey Ching said many students do not know of or use the alumni match database. Nonetheless, the service it provides may still prove valuable, Ching said.

"I think it's in your advantage to use the database - you see someone in the field you're studying and with the career you're interested in," she said.

The association sponsors and administers various student scholarships, including those supported by sales of collegiate license plates. The plates bring in an estimated $125,000 a year in scholarship money for undergraduate students.

The association also oversees distribution of $50,000 in scholarship money supplied by MBNA Affinity Credit Card, offers Alumni Club scholarships and provides scholarships for Black and Hispanic students.

Rollins said by supporting students now, the Alumni Association puts students in a better position to support the university in the future.

"We want to build relationships with as many students as possible so that they'll remain involved with the university," he said.

And, in doing so, help see the Alumni Association through another smooth 100 years, he said.

Through the Years

1897 - The Alumni Association starts with 11 members and its first constitution is adopted June 2.

1914 - First Homecoming

1923 - First issue of Arizona Alumnus, the Alumni Association magazine, is published.

1934 - First scholarship fund drive held, raising $350.

1947 - First Homecoming Queen, Ruth Tackett, is crowned at the 30th Homecoming, Nov. 22.

1956 - Tucson Alumni Club organized.

1983 - Hispanic and Black Alumni organizations established.

1990 - Collegiate License Plate scholarship program starts.

1996 - American Indian and Asian American Alumni clubs are established.

1997 - Centennial of the Alumni Association

Information provided by the Alumni Association.