Call Number:

08.006

Repository:

Drexel University: Archives and Special Collections

Extent:

0.5 cubic feet

Language:

English

Date:

1918-1992 (inclusive)

Abstract:

The Alumni Association of what is now Drexel University was first established in 1895 under the name of the Associated Alumni of Drexel Institute with the object of promoting the best interests of the Institute, strengthening the ties between the Institute and its graduates, and furthering the welfare of the individual members by co-operative effort. The association was run by an Executive Board, and annual membership dues were charged. Group social events were held since the early years as well as educational programs and fund-raising for various projects. One goal for these funds has been to provide scholarships for deserving students. Efforts were also made to urge alumni to help new graduates find employment, to identify potential new students, and to issue various publications.

The original Associated Alumni was an umbrella association presiding over a group of individual alumni associations for the separate schools of the institute, which in 1917 consisted of the Engineering, the Domestic Science and Arts, and the Secretarial. Each school association had its own administrative structure, dues, officers, etc. Awards for new graduates sponsored by the individual alumni groups began as early as 1907.

A new constitution in 1923 refers to the larger group under the name of the Drexel Institute Alumni Association, with representatives on the Executive Committee from each of the Institute schools. However, the individual smaller alumni organizations continued.

The Associated Alumni of Evening Classes of Drexel Institute formed their own association in 1910 with the additional purpose of encouraging development of activities for undergraduates to supply a social ambiance often missing for evening students. Originally, each of the seven diploma courses in the Evening School had their own mini-association with separate members, by-laws and constitution, and elected officers.In addition to supporting scholarships, early efforts of the Evening School Alumni included trying to secure more recognition from professional education bodies for technical institutes not granting academic degrees.

The collection comprises six series containing a variety of materials, including correspondence, letters and solicitations, constitutions and bylaws, directories and lists, fliers and brochures, text of speeches, descriptions of programs, summaries of past events, and newsletters. The earliest document in the collection is dated 1895 and the most recent dated 1992. While the materials relating to events and fund raising are more substantial than in the other series, all series have significant gaps. Items appear to have been donated sporadically by several different university offices and individuals who collected them on a haphazard basis. Assignment of folders reflects to some extent the original arrangement, which was inconsistent and in some cases overly detailed.

The collection is organized in six series: Directories and Lists, Events, Fundraising, Internal Records, Newsletters and Updates, and Recruitment of Students.