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 32 members. 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 , 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 Homecoming 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. Previous spring meetings have been held in Chicago, Washington and often at the University's Alumni Association summer camp, 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, which is an important  component of Michigan Engineering Homecoming Weekend.