About the Alumni Association
Founded in 1981, the UHCL Alumni Association represents more than 80,000 alumni. It was created to enhance the pride, loyalty and engagement of its alumni by connecting them to fellow UHCL alumni, students, parents and friends of the university through support services, activities and events.
Working in connection with University Advancement, the association promotes the educational programs and objectives of the university by providing alumni opportunities to remain involved with their alma mater. The UHCL Alumni Association supports three endowments – the UHCL Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment for current students, the UHCL Distinguished Alumni Scholarship Endowment for descendants of UHCL alumni and the UHCL Alumni Association Program Endowment to support student programming, faculty research and development.
All UHCL graduates and recipients of teacher’s certificates are automatically members of the UHCL Alumni Association; no dues are necessary. Lifetime Alumni Membership is available with a one-time contribution of at least $500 which entitles members to exclusive benefits beyond the general alumni association membership.
Historical Timeline
Pictured are newly elected members of the alumni association board of directors during a reception for noted atomic physicist Dr. Edward Teller. On the far left is Mike Reeves, the founding president of the association. Mike remains involved and supportive today.
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.
Opens association membership to all alumni and eliminates dues.
Establishes the Early Achievement Award, honoring Cris Daskevich as its first recipient.
Dedicates Alumni Plaza, located between the Bayou Building and the Student Services and Classroom Building. This area includes Distinguished Alumni Fountain and the Distinguished Alumni Wall, a granite wall listing all recipients of UHCL’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Creates Commencement Kick-Off, a celebratory event held prior to graduation to welcome new alumni into the UHCL Alumni Association.
Establishes the Outstanding Professor Award, honoring Charles McKay as its first recipient.
Number of university alumni exceeds 50,000 and the association celebrates the milestone with “50 Grand” events and activities throughout the year.
Establishes the Alumni Association Executive Council, in its current format.
Launches the UHCL Alumni Association fan page on Facebook.
Establishes AlumNights, casual networking receptions held throughout the community designed to give alumni the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new connections.
Creates Small Talk. Big Ideas. Breakfast with an Expert., a morning of fascinating discussions over breakfast with various university experts on a range of thought-provoking topics.
Begins Alumni Coffee Tables, a monthly service initiative where alumni volunteer to interact with students by serving free coffee and treats.
Collaborates with the Office of Student Life to produce Welcome Back Bash, a family-oriented event held the first week of the fall semester featuring food, music, games and activities presented by both alumni and student organizations.