The College of Engineering Alumni Society was established in 1985 to enhance the relationship between the College of Engineering, alumni of the College, and the professional fields represented, thereby encouraging the excellence of the College and its graduates. As a U-M College society it is a part of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan.

Purpose

The purpose of the Society is to stimulate among its members an enduring interest in the College of Engineering and the University of Michigan. It seeks to encourage a continual flow of outstanding applicants to the College and to contribute toward their financial needs while enrolled and to assist in the placement of graduates. The Society works to educate its members about the progress and problems of the College of Engineering and the engineering profession, thus enabling them to assist in advancing engineering programs. The Society aids College and University faculty and staff in securing financial support from public and private sources. The Society continually works to foster fellowship and strengthen ties among alumni, students and faculty of the College of Engineering.

Membership and Governance

All College of Engineering alumni, past and present faculty members, and friends who have demonstrated a vital interest in the College of Engineering are considered voting members of the Society. The governing body of the Society is the Board of Governors, which consists of 21 members elected from the membership. Seven Board members are elected each year for a three-year term; a member may serve two consecutive terms. The Dean of the College of Engineering (usually the Dean appoints a faculty representative to attend meetings in his stead), past Board chairs, two College of Engineering students (appointed yearly by the Engineering Student Council), the Engineering Alumni Officer, and the Executive Director of The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan are ex-officio members. The Society Representative to the Alumni Association Board of Directors is a voting Board member.

Meetings

The annual business meeting of the Society is held each fall during Michigan Engineering Alumni Weekend. Here the Board welcomes all returning Engineering graduates, the Dean addresses the group and Board elections are held. The Board meets twice a year -- in the fall on campus during All-Alumni weekend and in the spring at a selected out-of -town location. They have met in Chicago, Washington and often at the University's resort, Michigania.

Projects

The Board has a number of ongoing projects. In the late '90s the Board established more project committees that would involve many alumni in addition to the Board members. These committees serve several purposes. Committees are a vehicle for involving more alumni in College activities and, thus, bring greater focus and activity to the projects. They enable new people to add their energy and ideas to the efforts and provide a structure for retiring Board members to continue to work on projects where they have provided leadership. While membership is open to all alumni, a Board member chairs each committee.

Alumni Society Awards

In 1992 the Board initiated the annual Alumni Society Awards. Outstanding graduates from each Engineering department are selected to receive departmental Merit Awards. Three exceptional individuals are recognized with the Distinguished Service Award, the Recent Engineering Graduate Award and the Alumni Society Medal. Recipients are presented medals at an Alumni Society Awards Dinner with attendance over 250, which is an important  component of Michigan Engineering Alumni Weekend. Many of the alumni recognized have become more active in the life of the College.

Recruiting

Board members have been active in College recruitment efforts and have established alumni Recruiting Committees in Illinois, western Michigan, and the northeastern U.S. The committee works closely with the Engineering Career Resource Center, which matches alumni with prospective students. Participating alumni call two to five of the top high school students who have been admitted to Michigan Engineering, but have not yet enrolled. They provide information, share enthusiasm for the College, and encourage the students to attend Michigan. Recruitment efforts have led to 35-40% of students contacted attending.

Networking

One of the Board's most successful projects has been the Student/Alumni Network. In 1996 the Board began holding an informal Networking dinner for students and alumni on the evening before the fall Board meeting. Attendance has grown to over 125. There is a buffet dinner and student team projects are on display. Alumni and students mix and mingle, often exchanging cards or e-mails for further contact. In 1997, the Board established an interactive email network on the web to enable students to contact alumni. Alumni register on the network and list their email addresses so that students may contact them for information on fields of engineering, career paths, etc.

GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade)

Established in spring 2001, this committee will work to involve recent graduates in College activities. Members seek to establish strong relationships with the College and networks with each other. Activities include participation in recruitment and the Recent Engineering Graduate Award.

Fundraising

Also established in spring 2001, this committee leads efforts to build the Michigan Engineering Fund (MEF). Working with the MEF manager, members seek to improve communications about the MEF, providing alumni with more details about how the fund is used to strengthen College programs. They serve as spokespersons for the MEF and assist in adding support to the fund.