History

What we now call the Tufts University Alumni Association (TUAA) began on July 2, 1860, as the Association of the Alumni of Tufts College.

The idea of organizing alumni for the support of Tufts originated with William A. Johnson, Class of 1860, one of the four graduates representing the four classes that had so far received degrees. The group drafted a constitution and by-laws. When the second meeting was held a year later, the new association could boast eighteen paid-up members. Their constitution stated that anyone who had received an A.B., M.A., D.D., or LL.D. was eligible for membership upon payment of $1. In 1887, membership was thrown open to all holders of Tufts degrees.

By an amendment to the Tufts charter in 1934, an Alumni Council was formed "to take active control of alumni affairs and to organize the Tufts alumni of all departments into a more closely welded and more aggressive body." The twenty-one-member Council, representing all divisions of the College, became the first integrated and truly coordinated body to administer alumni affairs.

Today the Tufts University Alumni Association continues to secure for Tufts University the strong and united support of its alumni. Through the Alumni Council and its volunteer committees, the organization has broad influence on programs and services for all Tufts graduates. All graduates of Tufts University (and most former students with at least one year of study) are automatically considered TUAA members and are required to pay no dues.