t began as a forum for friends to share original literary and musical works. It became an invaluable resource for University alumni and the entire University community. "The University at Albany Alumni Association, which originally was called the Association of Graduates of the New York State Normal School, quickly took on another function," notes University archivist Geoff Williams. "At the time, the state was basically paying full tuition for many students in anticipation of the students remaining in New York State to teach. The Association took responsibility for tracking the employment of its members in order to validate the state's financial investment." The Association also acted as a job clearinghouse, helping many of its members to find teaching positions. By the late 1870s, interest in the Association had waned. However, a revitalization effort in the early 1880s brought more than 600 alumni back to campus for Reunion. It was the beginning of a more purposeful Association, as alumni began to assist with fund raising for the growing school. 1883 saw the initiation of plans to move the school to a new home on Willet Street, across from Washington Park. Alumni, under the leadership of school president Dr. Edward Waterbury, raised more than $5,000 to create a memorial stained-glass window for the new college. At its completion in 1891, it was

the largest single stained glass window in the United States. Scholarships, fellowships, loan funds and awards are just some of the Alumni Association's contributions through the years. Service to the University is exemplified bye the 1921 Albany Branch project to build the first residence halls at a state-funded college, an effort led by Dean of Women Anna Pierce '84 and John Sayles'02, head of the Benevolent Association's fund-raising arm. More than $600,000 was raised. The successful running of these dormitories became a model for the State Dormitory Authority, which would construct all future public and private dormitories in New York. Another historic alumni contribution to the campus, headed byJ anice Friedman Keller '40 was the purchase of the Symphonic Carillon, which sits upon the tower above the Lecture Center. And, in 1972, alumni raised $200,000 for the construction of an alumni house under the leadership of chairman Paul Bulger '36. The role of the Alumni Association has changed dramatically over the past 150 years from a largely social organization to one that offers alumni an extensive menu of services and other benefits. But what remains constant is the Association's commitment to work in partnership with the University community to ensure the continued excellence and success of our alma mater.

Note:  William F. Phelps '45 was the driving force behind the formation of the first Alumni Association.