An alumni association is an association of graduates or, more broadly, of former students in the United Kingdom and the United States, alumni of universities, colleges, schools (especially independent schools ), fraternities, and sororities often form groups with alumni from the same organization. These associations often organize social events, publish newsletters or magazines, and raise funds for the organization. Many provide a variety of benefits and services that help alumni maintain connections to their educational institution and fellow graduates. In the US, most associations do not require its members to be alumni of a university to enjoy membership and privileges. Below we shall be listing the top 21 universities with a powerful alumni network.
#1. The University of Georgia Alumni Association
From monthly webinars, online job boards, and networking events in Atlanta and beyond, the University of Georgia has a strong alumni networking system. The seeds are planted before graduation when the university hosts an alumni career fair for current students to connect with possible future employers from around 100 companies as diverse as State Farm to Dish Network and Morgan Stanley.
NOTABLE ALUMNI.
Kyle Chandler (Actor) 17 September 1965 AmericanRyan Seacrest (Television Show Host & Radio Personality) 24 December 1974 AmericanMichael Stipe (Singer-lyricist) 04 January 1960 AmericanAlton Brown (TV Personality, Celebrity Chef, Author) 30 July 1962 AmericanSally Yates (Lawyer) 20 August 1960 AmericanLyman Hall (Signer of United States Declaration of Independence) 12 April 1724 American
#2. The University of Florida Alumni Association
Across the globe, University of Florida alumni stay in touch across the world via the school’s Gator Clubs in all 50 states and spread across 135 different countries. These regional alumni clubs organize host speakers, cultural and academic activities and offer local networking opportunities. The UF alumni association also helps young graduates find jobs via the usual social media and website networking channels, and alums are usually eager to help each other out.
NOTABLE ALUMNI
Mónica Spear (Model, Actress) 01 October 1984 VenezuelanMegan Bowen (YouTuber, Actress) 16 May 1989 AmericanAdam LZ (YouTuber) 05 May 1995 AmericanBrandon Marshall (American football player) 23 March 1984 AmericanFrancesca Battistelli (Singer, Composer, Pianist, Songwriter) 18 May 1985 AmericanAric Almirola (Racecar driver) 14 March 1984 American
#3. The Ohio State University Alumni Association
Before graduation, Ohio State university students can log-into the Buckeye Careers Network to start looking for internship opportunities and post-graduation job postings from alumni. After earning a degree, young alums can count on the school’s alumni association to help with everything from crafting a resume to connecting them with other Buckeyes in the position to hire. NOTABLE ALUMNI Jeffrey Dahmer (Serial Killer, Sex Offender) 21 May 1960 AmericanWill Smith (Actor) 25 September 1968 AmericanHarlan Ellison (Writer) 27 May 1934 AmericanJesse Owens 12 September 1913 AmericanJack Nicklaus (Golfer) 21 January 1940 AmericanL. Stine 08 October 1943 American
#4. The Pennsylvania State University Alumni Association
Pennsylvania State University has one of the largest alumni networks in the U.S. with a base that includes more than 645,000 people across the world. As such, students say when seeking jobs they often have an edge because alums will seek out Penn State grads for jobs at their companies. Alums can also take advantage of virtual networking events, career fairs, regional happy hours, and much more. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Laurene Powell Jobs (Businesswoman, Widow of Steve Jobs) 06 November 1963 AmericanRoss Ulbricht (Drug Trafficker) 27 March 1984 AmericanImmortal Technique (Hip Hop Singer) 19 February 1978 AmericanDavid Bohm (Scientist) 20 December 1917 AmericanJerry Greenfield (Entrepreneur) 14 March 1951 AmericanTom Ridge (Former Governor of Pennsylvania, Former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives) 26 August 1945 AmericanDavid Morrell (Writer, Screenwriter, University teacher) 24 April 1943 AmericanIris Marion Young (Political scientist, Philosopher, University teacher) 02 January 1949 AmericanDiane Ackerman (Poet, Author, Writer) 07 October 1948 AmericanJulius J. Epstein (Screenwriter) 22 August 1909 AmericanRoland G. Fryer, Jr. 04 June 1977 America
#5. The University of Virginia Alumni Association
At the University of Virginia, recent grads can meet other alums in their city at networking parties organized by the Young Alumni Council, as well as school-sponsored reunions. UVA, which counts Katie Couric and Tina Fey among its most famous alums, really puts an emphasis on curating connections that lead to job opportunities for its newest alumni. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Robert F. Kennedy (Brother of President John F. Kennedy) 20 November 1925 AmericanTina Fey (American actress) 18 May 1970 AmericanLaura Ingraham (Radio Host, Author and Political Commentator) 19 June 1964 AmericanWoodrow Wilson (Father of the League of Nations) 28 December 1856 AmericanWilliam Faulkner (Writer, Nobel Laureate) 25 September 1897 AmericanGeorgia O’Keeffe (Artist) 15 November 1887 AmericanJohn W. Snow (Former United States Secretary of the Treasury) 02 August 1939 AmericanHanan Ashrawi (Palestinian legislator) 08 October 1946 PalestinianGesine Bullock-Prado (Chef, Lawyer) 06 March 1970 AmericanMichael LeMoyne Kennedy (Lawyer) 27 February 1958 AmericanRichard E. Byrd (Explorer, Officer, Oceanographer, Aviator) 25 October 1888 AmericanMax Kennedy (Lawyer) 11 January 1965 America
#7. The Southern Methodist University Alumni Association
From former first lady, Laura Bush to Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates and the founder of Toms Shoes Blake Mycoskie, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas has a diverse and distinguished alumni pool for graduates to network with. The school hosts a career and internship fair each spring that is open to current students and young alumni and aims to match them with top companies from Oracle to AT&T. Post-graduation, students can network through the SMU’s web portal and also via their strong social media presence, including on LinkedIn, which is considered the most valuable of the professional networks, and regional club events across the country and back on campus. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI. Kourtney Kardashian (Model, Reality Star) 18 April 1979 AmericanJayne Mansfield 19 April 1933 AmericanLauren Graham. 16 March 1967 AmericaKathy Bates (Actress and film director) 28 June 1948 AmericanHope Hicks (PR Consultant) 21 October 1988 AmericanRick Scott (45th Governor of Florida) 01 December 1952 AmericanLaura Bush (Former First Lady) 04 November 1946 AmericanDorothy Malone (Actress) 29 January 1924 AmericanAaron Spelling (Film and television producer) 22 April 1923 AmericanBill Fagerbakke (Actor, Voice Actor) 04 October 1957 AmericanL. Hunt (Businessman) 17 February 1889 AmericanJames Cronin (Physicist) 29 September 1931 AmericanPayne Stewart (Golfer) 30 January 1957 AmericanJosh McCown (American football player) 04 July 1979 AmericanJay McGraw (Television director, Taekwondo athlete) 12 September 1979 AmericanTrammell Crow (Art collector, Rancher) 10 June 1914 American
#8. The Claremont Mckenna College Alumni Association
Claremont McKenna gives current students a running start when it comes to navigating the post-graduation job world through its Mentor Connect program. The formal 10-week program hooks undergrads up with alumni working in a field that interests them. Internships also can play an integral part in getting a job in the real world, and Claremont McKenna also maintains a large internship database for students to apply to. Post-graduation, the alumni association organizes more than 200 events around the world each year. These happen through regional clubs, homecoming weekends back on campus, and the alumni travel program The latter is a cool concept that not all schools offer, but allows alums to connect through an organized, educationally focused (usually led by a Claremont professor) and themed trip to a foreign destination – recent adventures included studying WWII in England and France and cruises to the Galapagos Islands. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Robin Williams Screenwriter, ActorRandy Steven Kraft Randy Steven Kraft is an American serial killer known as the “Scorecard Killer” and the “Freeway Killer”Benjamin Cruz Politician, LawyerMichael Arrington Editor, JournalistThomas Pritzker BusinesspersonGeorge R. Roberts Businessperson, EntrepreneurDavid Dreier PoliticianFrancisco Vázquez ScholarChuck DeVore Businessperson, Politician
#9. The Princeton University Alumni Association
Michelle Obama is one of Princeton’s superstar alumni, and the Ivy League school has an active network of former students eager to help out new grads in a diverse range of fields, from tech to teaching. The school runs a TigerNet website that requires log-in and lets graduates search for information on other alums as well as post and directly apply for jobs. Princeton’s Alumni Association also runs the usual regional clubs and events back at the school like class reunions, homecoming weekends, and even career conferences. Princeton alumni are also known for donating more than time back to their alma mater. According to the US News, more than 62 percent of Princeton alums also give money, in some of around $400 million collectively, to the school each year. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI
#10. The St. Lawrence University Alumni Association
A small liberal arts school in New York, St. Lawrence has a very enthusiastic alumni network, with graduates actively participating in programs with current students and young alums. The school runs a Shadow a Saint program that matches undergraduates with an alumni mentor in their desired field of study to shadow for up to a week. After graduation, the alumni association helps recent grads connect through regional clubs and virtual networking. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Kirk Douglas Businessperson, SoldierViggo Mortensen Painter, PoetOlympia BrownOwen D. Young Businessperson, PoliticianSusan Collins Businessperson, PoliticianEleanor Mondale Radio personality, ActorEdwin J. Taylor EducatorGerald B. H. Solomon Businessperson, PoliticianGina Kingsbury Ice Hockey Player
#11. The Harvard University Alumni Association
Speaking of wealth, the school that has the country’s wealthiest alumni overall is Harvard University, which is also the oldest university in the U.S. founded back in 1636. The school’s wealthiest alums are worth a combined $622 billion, and the school counts 52 billionaires among its graduates, the highest number of all the universities, according to ABC News. They also give back to the school with alumni giving at 37%. Along with all this money, connections made at Harvard go deeper than nearly any other school, and graduates often feel like members of a very exclusive club. The Harvard Alumni Association maintains its own web portal, as well as a social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and encourages other upcoming students. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Associate Justice of US Supreme Court) 15 March 1933 AmericanJohn F. Kennedy (35th President of the United States) 29 May 1917 AmericanNatalie Portman (Actress, Producer, Director) 09 June 1981 Israeli, AmericanMark Zuckerberg (Co-founder of Facebook, Computer Programmer) 14 May 1984 AmericanTed Kaczynski (Terrorist, Anarchist) 22 May 1942 AmericanRobert F. Kennedy (Brother of President John F. Kennedy) 20 November 1925 AmericanTheodore Roosevelt (26th U.S. President) 27 October 1858 AmericanMatt Damon (Actor) 08 October 1970 AmericanAmy Poehler (American actress) 16 September 1971 AmericanHenry Kissinger (Diplomat, National Security Advisor (America)) 27 May 1923. AmericanLeonard Bernstein (Conductor (New York Philharmonic)) 25 August 1918 American
#12. The Northwestern University Alumni Association
When it comes to earning really big money, Northwestern University graduates rake in a lot of cash. In fact, the 451 wealthiest Northwestern grads are worth a collective $46 billion, according to ABC News. After they start earning, Northwestern grads remember their undergraduate roots and tend to give back with 31 percent of alumni financially contributing to the school. Alumni financial contributions can be a good indicator of a strong alumni network – the theory being that those who give monetarily will also be invested in helping future students network and find jobs. And at Northwestern this rings true. The esteemed university just outside of Chicago has an active alumni association that hosts networking, mentoring, and ongoing education courses. It also keeps graduates virtually connected through its web portal and via social media groups. Real-life events are also planned throughout the year, both on campus and through the regional alumni club. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Meghan Markle. (Actress) 04 August 1981. AmericanZooey Deschanel. (Actress). 17 January 1980. AmericanDavid Schwimmer (Actor. 02 November 1966. AmericanJulia Louis-Dreyfus (Actress) 13 January 1961. AmericanHugh Hefner (founder of Playboy Magazine). 09 April 1926. AmericanStephen Colbert (American comedian) 13 May 1964 AmericanAnn-Margret (Actress) 28 April 1941 Swedish, AmericanWarren Beatty (Actor) 30 March 1937 AmericanCindy Crawford 20 February 1966 AmericanDermot Mulroney (Actor) 31 October 1963
#13. The University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association
Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740 the University of Pennsylvania counts 25 living billionaires among the graduates from its various schools, including the prestigious Wharton School of Business. From annual alumni awards to an online book club, the Penn Alumni Association is creative in its networking, which is what you would expect from a school that counts eight Declaration of Independence signers among its most distinguished graduates. The school’s alumni associate runs QuakerNet, a log-in-required networking site that allows graduates to search for each other and also to post and apply for jobs. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Donald Trump. (45th U.S. President), 14 June 1946. AmericanElon Musk (Entrepreneur, Engineer, Inventor). 28 June 1971. Canadian, American, South AfricanWarren Buffett. (Business Magnate, Investor, Philanthropist). 30 August 1930. AmericanElizabeth Banks. (Actress, Producer, and Director). 10 February 1974. AmericanNoam Chomsky (Linguist) 07 December 1928 AmericanTiffany Trump (Daughter of Donald Trump) 13 October 1993 AmericanSharon Stone, Sharon Stone, 10 March 1958, AmericanLaurene Powell Jobs, (Businesswoman, Widow of Steve Jobs), 06 November 1963, AmericanWilliam Henry Harrison 09 February 1773 AmericanAbby Huntsman (Journalist, TV Presenter) 01 May 1986 AmericanEzra Pound (Poet) 30 October 1885 AmericanBeau Biden (son of Joe Biden) 03 February 1969 American
#14. The Lehigh University Alumni Association
Lehigh really goes out of its way to foster relationships with former students long after graduation. The alumni here are thought of like family on the university’s part, and the feeling is reciprocated as alumni go out of their way to work with students even before graduation. The school hosts events like the Conference of Accounting Professionalism that allow undergrads to work directly with alumni executives from major firms during a weeklong program. After graduation, young alums can network in a number of ways. One option is to join the Lehigh University Alumni Group on LinkedIn, which has more than 10,000 members at this point. The school also hosts regional alumni clubs that at minimum host annual networking events, known as career networking receptions, where alums have the chance to meet and talk shop in person with others in their area. These are a great way to really interact with other alums in person. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Don Most. Actor, Voice acting, BusinesspersonJohn Fitch. Racecar driver, InventorLester Hogan. Physicist, InventorJesse W. Reno. Inventor, EngineerJohn-David F. Bartoe Astrophysicist, AstronomerTerry Hart. Pilot, AstronautThomas Duane. PoliticianRoger Penske Businessperson, Race car driverKenneth French. Professor, Economist
#15. The Wellesley College Alumni Association
Hillary Clinton’s alma mater has a powerful alumni network that includes Diane Sawyer and Madeline Albright. The private women’s liberal arts college is one of the most competitive in the country to attend, but after graduation these women stick together, helping each other network and get jobs, regardless of how many years have passed since graduation. The school’s alumnae association offers the usual devoted alumni website and regional networking events but also lets alums connect based on shared mutual interests. There are alumnae shared interest and discussion groups for nearly everyone: from alumnae affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders to those in the Peace Corps or Wellesley alums in the military among others. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Hillary Clinton. Spokesperson, PoliticianDiane Sawyer. Journalist, NewsreaderElisabeth Shue. ActorAna Alicia. ActorPamela Melroy. AstronautTammy Lynn Sytch. Wrestler, ActorErna Schneider Hoover. Inventor, ScientistBarbara Babcock. ActorMadeleine Albright. Politician, DiplomatPaula Rosput Reynolds. Businessperson
#16. The Dartmouth College Alumni Association
After graduating from Dartmouth University, it’s easy to stay connected through the school’s robust alumni network. Dartmouth not only maintains a strong social media presence and options for virtual networking, but alumni are active in nearly 100 geographical clubs across the world. The school’s alumni association also focuses on affiliated and shared interest groups, like an alumni travel program, that offers less obvious networking options. Alumni love to stay involved with the college and are often willing to talk to current students about careers — and many have been known to give internships and jobs to Dartmouth students,” a student told the Princeton Review. Big-name Dartmouth graduates include private-equity billionaire Leon Black and screenwriter and actress Mindy Kaling. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Dr. Seuss. Illustrator, PoetMeryl Streep. Spokesperson, ActorMindy Kaling. Television director, Comedian. Mindy Kaling is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer.Michael Moriarty. Musician, ActorAisha Tyler. Comedian, ScreenwriterTimothy Geithner. Politician, EconomistRobert Frost. Poet, PlaywrightKeith Boykin. Editor, NovelistPaul Gambaccini, Radio personality, Disc jockeyDaniel Webster, Statesman, Politician
#17. The Virginia Polytechnic & State University Alumni Association
Virginia Tech puts a lot of effort into its alumni networking. The school runs the Hokie Nation Network, a web portal for alumni interested in professional networking opportunities with fellow Hokies. They also have a large presence on LinkedIn with some 124,000 Hokies using the site, and the group pages the school has set up, to connect with each other. Additionally, you’ll find alumni clubs across the country, and impressive alumni travel clubs. Run by the Virginia Tech Alumni Associate, the travel tours across the globe and are open only to alumni and their family and friends. This allows you not only to travel in an educational group capacity but the networking opportunities that can be leveraged from doing so can be boundless. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Robert Coleman Richardson (Physicist), 26 June 1937. AmericanMichael Vick (American football player) 26 June 1980. AmericanTyrod Taylor (American football player), 03 August 1989. AmericanBruce Arians, (American football player), born 03 October 1952 in AmericanNidal Malik Hasan, (Psychiatrist, Soldier), born 08 September 1970 in AmericanLewis Binford, (Anthropologist, Archaeologist, prehistorian, university teacher), born 11 November 1931 in American
#18. The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University
When it comes to displaying school pride post-graduation, few universities can compete with Texas A&M. Aggies are fiercely loyal to their alma mater and will go out of their way to help out other graduates. This may be through formal networking set up by the school’s alumni association or, Texas-style, casually, after running into someone else wearing the famed Aggie graduation ring. The Association of Former Students manages the official networking for young graduates, helping them create masterful resumes, nail job interviews, and learn how to effectively network in modern society. They also help connect alumni living in the same cities by hosting happy hours or sporting event meet-ups. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Rick PerryJohnny Manziel, American football playerSammy Davis, American football playerRip Torn, Actor, Voice actingLyle Lovett, Record producer, SongwriterCliff Pennington, Baseball playerSteven Swanson, Flight engineer, AstronautBoone Pickens, Jr. Businessperson, Investor Jason Castro, Singer-songwriter, DrummerDahr Jamail, Journalist, Author
#19. The Gettysburg College Alumni Association
Within a year of graduating from these small liberal arts in Pennsylvania, 98% of students either obtain a job or go on to graduate school, according to the school’s website. It’s an impressive statistic that can be traced, at least in part, to a strong alumni-networking program. With clubs across the country, graduates get together for regional events from networking nights to happy hours and cultural performances. Alumni also play an integral role in mentoring students before graduation by offering everything from summer internships to career advice and on-campus networking receptions to undergraduates. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Ron Paul, Stephanie Sellars, WriterRitch Shydner, Comedian, Television producerCarol Bellamy, Businessperson, LawyerMichael Bishop, VirologistCarson Kressley, Fashion designer, AuthorGeorge M. Leader, Businessperson, PoliticianJerry Spinelli, Author, WriterFred F. Fielding, Lawyer
#20. The Colgate University Alumni Association
The small liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York where Becky Bye graduated from has one of the strongest alumni networks in the country and counts many power players among its graduates, including Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen. Colgate promotes the importance of forming relationships with classmates, faculty, and alumni from the moment a student accepts an admission offer. “During my time as a student at Colgate, I felt that my education was enriched by the alumni network, and I witnessed firsthand the willingness of alumni to help students in various aspects,” says Bye. “My first experience with this was when I emailed the then-President of the Columbia University Children’s Hospital (and also a Colgate alum) about my interest in healthcare and pursuing an internship that summer in New York City. Within days, I landed an internship with a world-renown heart surgeon at Columbia Hospital for this summer–who was a colleague of the Colgate alum.” Bye says that throughout her time at Colgate it was apparent that alumni were loyal and eager to give back to the Colgate community: “Throughout my time at Colgate, I had encounters with alumni, and the pride for Colgate was consistent… The passion for Colgate was contagious.” Upon graduation, Colgate students are proud to continue the tradition of giving back to the school. Bye thinks one reason this is so strong, is the school cares less about financial donations than emotional investments from its alumni. “Another thing to note is that I think many schools give off the impression that once you graduate, they no longer care about you unless you are a donor. With Colgate, this is not the case,” she says. “It is clear that Colgate wants to remain a part of the lives and thoughts of alumni, even if they feel that they cannot financially give back to the school. Colgate makes it clear that its career services, library, networking, and other resources are always there for us.” SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI John Cassavetes, Television director, Film ProducerCharles Evans, Hughes Judge, PoliticianAndy Rooney, Commentator, JournalistAdam Clayton Powell, Jr. PoliticianCris Kobryn, Computer scientistKevin Heffernan, Comedian, Film ProducerJohn Dean, Author, LawyerHarry Emerson Fosdick, PreacherBen Cohen, Businessperson, EntrepreneurChase Carey, Businessperson
#21. University of Texas Alumni Association
UT’s Alumni Association is one of the largest alumni networks in the world at over 100,000 active members. Graduates benefit from the ability to network with other alumni, encourage support for the University, and extend their college community throughout the world. SOME NOTABLE ALUMNI Travis Scott (Rapper), Born on 30 April 1992 AmericanJanis Joplin (Singer), born on 19 January 1943. AmericanMatthew McConaughey (Actor, Producer) born 04 November 1969. AmericanJon Hamm (Actor) born on 10 March 1971. AmericanFarrah Fawcett (Actress) born 02 February 1947. From AmericanOwen Wilson (American actor) born on 18 November 1968. From AmericanJayne Mansfield Born 19 April 1933. From AmericanWes Anderson (Director, Producer, Actor), born 01 May 1969. From AmericanWe also recommend the following available scholarships
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