History
Alumni Relations takes pride in its history, ensuring all operations and decisions are consistent with its mission
statement:
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Alumni Association serves alumni by representing, informing and providing opportunities for involvement to meet their interests and support the University's evolving mission and tradition
Through the years
Please take the time to learn more about where we’ve been and how far we’ve come:
- 1871 - The Oshkosh Normal School opened.
- 1901 - The first recorded minutes of an Alumni Association meeting with temporary officers dates back to June 20, 1901.
- 1910 - The association decided to begin issuing an Alumni Bulletin, which sparked the need to accumulate more precise information about the whereabouts and occupations of graduates.
- 1914 to 1915 - Alumni held a fundraiser to build the school's first union or "student building." However, during WWI, the plan was denied and the funds were used to purchase war bonds for the school.
- 1920 - The Alumni Association begins an organized drive to replenish school archives of publications and records lost in the fire of 1916. Alumni nationwide responded to the plea.
- 1921 - First campus Homecoming celebrated.
- 1947 - UW Oshkosh purchased the Pollock House. The building was first used as women's housing, then as the headquarters of the newly established School of Nursing.
- 1963 - The Alumni Association took an active part in organizing the University Foundation. The Established Alumni Award also was presented at spring commencement.
- 1971 - Pollock House became the Alumni Association's new home.
- 1980 - First Alumni Phon-a-thon conducted.
- 1995 - College of Business Alumni Association formed.
- 1999 - First alumni directory printed, including more than 50,000 alumni.
- 2001 - The Alumni Association became “dues-free” and welcomed all alumni and members to join.
- 2004 - Second alumni directory printed.
- 2005 - First electronic newsletter e-mailed to more than 20,000 alumni.
- 2007 - Alumni numbers increase to more than 70,000.
For more information, please view the complete Alumni Association or Pollock House history.