Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 21/2/6
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Alumni Days Records, 1942-[ongoing]


Descriptive summary

creator:

Iowa State University Alumni Association

title:

Alumni Days Records

dates:

1942-[ongoing]

extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes)

collection number:

RS 21/2/6

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Iowa State University Alumni Association, Alumni Days Records, RS 21/2/6, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Historical note

The first class of Iowa Agricultural College (Iowa State University) graduated in 1872, and it wasn't long after that these alumni felt the need for an association of former students. An informal meeting was first held in 1876 by Iowa State alumni and students. The Alumni Association was officially formed on November 12, 1878 with Edgar W. Stanton (class of 1872) as president. Officers were elected, a constitution was signed and it was decided that meetings would be held biennially.

The first alumni club outside of Ames was formed in Chicago in 1893, and soon there were clubs in Washington D.C., New York City, and Pittsburgh. The Chicago club has been particularly active. In 1931, they sponsored a contest for a new school song. An entry by Jim Wilson titled "Bells of Iowa State" remains Iowa State's school song to this day.

The Alumni Association would slowly take a more prominent role in campus activities. In 1905, the Alumni Association first published The Alumnus, which made it possible to keep alumni all over the country informed about the activities of Iowa State. Alumni Hall was completed in 1907 and became the home of the Alumni Association. During the 1920s, the Alumni Association played a large part in securing donations for the construction of the Memorial Union and upon its completion in 1928, moved their headquarters there.

Since then, the Alumni Association has grown to provide numerous services to the University and its alumni. In 1932, the Alumni Achievement Fund was created, the Alumni Association was incorporated as an independent self-governing association, and the first Honors and Awards program was held. In 1973, the Student Alumni Association was formed and a year after that the alumni travel program started. In 1980, the Alumni Achievement Fund merged with the ISU Foundation to combine fundraising efforts. 1988 marked the first issue of the Alumni Association's new publication, VISIONS. Currently, the Alumni Association is in the process of planning a stand-alone alumni center for the Iowa State campus.

 

Collection description

This collection contains news clippings, addresses, programs for Alumni Days activities and events, and reminiscences books. The reminiscences books are compiled annually by the Alumni Association and contain memories of former Iowa State students who are celebrating their 50-year reunion. Programs for the Honors and Awards banquet can also be found in the Alumni Association Honors and Awards Records, RS 21/2/7.

 

Organization

The collection is listed alphabetically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

News Clippings

1942-1993

1

2

Changes: Looking Back Over the Years – Some Recollections of Iowa State's Past, by Farwell Brown

1991

1

3

Chicago Merit Award Presentation Address

1942

1

4

Programs and Schedules

1942-1969

1

5

Programs and Schedules

1970-1977

1

6

Programs and Schedules

1978-1989

1

7

Programs and Schedules

1996-1999

1

8

Programs and Schedules

2000

2

5

Programs and Schedules

2001

2

6

Programs and Schedules

2002

2

7

Programs and Schedules

2003

2

8

Programs and Schedules

2004

2

9

Programs and Schedules

2005

2

10

Programs and Schedules

2006

2

11

Programs and Schedules

2007

2 13 Programs and Schedules 2009
2 14 Programs and Schedules 2010
2 15 Programs and Schedules 2011
2 16 Programs and Schedules 2012
2 17 Programs and Schedules 2013
2 18 Programs and Schedules 2014

2

12

Reminiscences book – Class of 1937

1987

1

9

Reminiscences book – Class of 1939

1989

1

10

Reminiscences book – Class of 1948

1998

1

11

Reminiscences book – Class of 1949

1999

1

12

Reminiscences book – Class of 1950

2000

2

1

Reminiscences book – Class of 1951

2001

2

2

Reminiscences book – Class of 1952

2002

2

3

Reminiscences book – Class of 1953

2003

2

4

Reminiscences book – Class of 1955

2005