History
The first 天美传媒 degrees were awarded in 1912, creating the constituency for an Alumni Association. Within three years of the graduation of the University's first class, a constitution for the 天美传媒 Alumni Association had been drafted.
The following timeline highlights some "firsts" and important events in the growth and development of the Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Relations.
1914
On 30 December a constitution for "an Alumni Association of the 天美传媒" is drafted. It is presented for acceptance at a meeting of alumni and the graduating class of 15 May 1915
1919
A quarterly bulletin, The Trail, is established and appears with some regularity during the 1920s, falling off somewhat during the depression years of the '30s but never folding
1922
The first permanent Alumni Office is established
1924
The first regional chapter is formed in Calgary
1936
The "Alberta Medical Graduates" chapter, a predecessor to the Medical Alumni Association, is formed
1942
New Trail magazine is founded as a "...step to improve the university's image in the community." The first issue, edited by Professor F.M. Salter, appears in November 1942
1946
The Students' Union organizes the first Homecoming. The Alumni Association assists with some of the events
1952
Upon a request from the Students' Union, the Alumni Association takes over the organization of Homecoming
1977
The Office of Alumni Affairs moves into the renovated Athabasca Hall
1982
New Trail is reestablished as a quarterly magazine
1983
The U of A Alumni Association celebrates its 75th anniversary
1983
The Alumni Records database is designed to allow for "on-line" updates
1985
The Hong Kong Alumni Association chapter is organized and immediately becomes the largest international branch of the Alumni Association
1985
The Alumni Association takes over responsibility for convocation receptions
1986
The Alumni Association votes to forfeit its annual budget grant from the University and raise all operating funds directly through its own programs and services
1988
Alumni donate $4.2 million (pledged over a four year period) through the "Project Leadership" phone/mail campaign
1992
A mission statement for the Alumni Association is approved at the Annual General Meeting in May
1994
The first Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented
1994
16 Alumni are inducted into the newly unveiled Alumni Wall of Recognition
1994
University House is renamed Alumni House
1995
For the first time ever the three highest positions at the University are held by alumni: President Rod D. Fraser, Chancellor Lou Hyndman, and Board of Governors Chair John Ferguson
1996
The Alumni Wall of Recognition and Distinguished Alumni Awards are amalgamated
1997
New Trail magazine wins the Canadian Council for Advancement in Education Gold Award for best university magazine in Canada
1997
A revitalized Alumni House is reopened
2000
The Alumni Council Scholarship is established
2000
The annual Alumni Memorial Service is held for the first time
2004
Alumni Walk officially opens
2005
The annual Honorable Dr. Lois E. Hole Student Spirit Award is established by the Alumni Association to recognize the accomplishments of undergraduate students and to celebrate student spirit
2012
Office of Alumni Affairs changed to Office of Alumni Relations