Emeritus Alumni Board

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

President
Duane C. Hill BA’50

President-Elect
Earl M. Wunderli BA’56 JD’59

Board members

Ginny Albo BS’60
John Bennion BS’61 MA’62
Dotti Brockbank BS’64

Mona Daniels Clark BS’62 MS’83 PhD’91
Kaye M. Coleman BS’69 MSW’71 PhD’76
Bruce S. Jenkins BA’49 JD’52
Howard A. Jorgensen BS’54
E. George Mantes, Jr. BS’59
Alice Marsh BS’52 MS’53
Jeanette M. Misaka BS’52 MS’71 PhD’92
Linda S. Pembroke BA’56 MA’93
John F. Piercey BS’52 JD’58
Robert L. Stayner BS’55
Chic Stratford BS’56

History of the Emeritus Board

Duane Hill

Duane Hill
Emeritus President, 2007-08

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 nation, the University of Utah, their community, and/or their profession. As of 2001, over 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 a growing group of other active and involved alumni. Some of the 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

Available spring 2009.

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 Emeritus Alumni Scholarship will be available January 1, 2009. All completed applications will be due 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 nation, the University, the community, and/or their profession.

In 2007, those honored were David A. Dungan, Alan Matheson, Dr. Yen-Ching Pao, Cherry Moslander Ridges, and Dr. Bruce F. Sorensen. Biographies of honorees.

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