Why We’re Here
In 1930, just months after the Alumni Association was formed, a fire destroyed Old Main. Alumni didn’t wait to be asked—they stepped up, purchasing nearby homes to keep classes going. That moment sparked a legacy of care-in-action that still defines who we are today.
Over the decades, that spirit grew. In 1969, a group of visionary leaders gathered at the Rex Café to formally establish the Foundation, driven by the understanding that state support alone wouldn’t be enough to sustain the university’s bold ambitions. What began as the “Founding Fifty” became a growing network of alumni and friends committed to shaping futures.
Every scholarship awarded, building named, or program expanded since has started with someone saying, “I believe in these students. I want to make their journey possible.”
Today, we are still powered by that same belief—that higher education isn’t just a path forward; it’s a promise to one another. A promise built on grit, fueled by generosity, and anchored in the idea that when Dragons rise, we all do.
