Emeritus Alumni Board

The Emeritus Alumni Board (EAB) is composed of alumni who attended the University of Utah 40 or more years ago and currently includes:

President
Earl M. Wunderli BA’56 JD’59

President-Elect
Mona Daniels Clark BS’62 MS’83 PhD’91

Board members
Ginny Albo BS’60
John Bennion BS’61 MA’62
Mary Lee Christensen BS’59 MEd’75
Susan Griffin Gaskill BS’64

Kaye M. Coleman BS’69 MSW’71 PhD’76
Howard A. Jorgensen BS’54
Carolyn Beal Kump BS’53
E. George Mantes, Jr. BS’59
Ted Nagata BFA’59 MFA’60
Joanne Peterson MEd’82
John F. Piercey BS’52 JD’58
Chic Stratford BS’56
David E. West JD’57

History of the Emeritus Board

Earl M Wunderli

Earl M. Wunderli
EAB President, 2008-09

The Emeritus Alumni Board (originally called “The Half Century Club”) was founded in 1937 at a 50-year reunion of 16 members of the Class of 1887. In 1942 the name was changed to “The Emeritus Club of the Utah Alumni Association” and was open to all pre-1892 classes.

In 1971 the Merit of Honor Award program was begun as a way to recognize emeritus alumni who had given distinguished service to the University of Utah, their profession, and the local and/or national communities. Currently, more than 500 awards have been presented to meritorious alumni at the annual Emeritus Awards Banquet.

The Emeritus Alumni Board members occupy positions on several Alumni Association committees, joining other active alumni involved in volunteering their time and energy to the benefit of the Alumni Association and its programs. Some of the EAB's committee activities include:

  • helping plan Homecoming

  • selecting Distinguished Alumni and Honorary Alumni Award recipients

  • designating Merit of Honor recipients

  • serving as advocates to the Utah Legislature on behalf of the University and higher education

  • recruiting high school students to the University

  • organizing and participating in a variety of community service programs

In 2000, the Emeritus members instituted a scholarship designated for one or two nontraditional students each year. They also produce a newsletter, EmeriTalk, which keeps members notified of special events and other activities, as well as opportunities for personal development and community service available through the University.

Emeritus Alumni Board Nominations

To view a printable Emeritus Alumni Board nomination form, click here.

The University of Utah Emeritus Alumni Board is proud to sponsor the Emeritus Alumni Scholarship, a full-tuition award (two consecutive semesters based on the undergraduate resident tutition schedule for that academic year). This scholarship is open to former University of Utah students who, due to unusual life circumstances or personal adversity, have been away from school for an extended period of time and wish to return to complete their degree. This scholarship must be used within one academic year.

Applicants must:

  • have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

  • indicate a desire to earn a university degree

  • demonstrate financial need in order to pursue further education

The application period for the 2008-2009 Emeritus Alumni Scholarship has closed. Applications for the 2009-2010 scholarship will be available January 1, 2009. Applications must be submitted by February 28, 2009.

Merit of Honor Award

The University of Utah Emeritus Alumni Board presents its Merit of Honor Award annually to former students who graduated from the University 40 or more years ago and who have given distinguished service to the University, their profession, and/or the local and national communities.

In November 2007, those honored included David A. Dungan, Alan Matheson, Dr. Yen-Ching Pao, Cherry Moslander Ridges, and Dr. Bruce F. Sorensen. Biographies of honorees. The 2008 Merit of Honor banquet will take place in November (information forthcoming). Complete list of Emeritus Alumni honored.

For further information about the Emeritus Alumni Board, contact assistant board coordinator Joanne Beardshall, (801) 581-3719.