About the Upstate South Carolina Chapter

Chapter By-Laws

About the Penn State Alumni Association

From a quiet gathering of alumni in a vacant Old Main classroom in 1870 to a powerful network of more than 165,000 members worldwide, the Penn State Alumni Association has been keeping alumni connected to the University and to each other for more than a century. While the Alumni Association's roots lie in Happy Valley, its branches extend across the globe. Alumni Association members live in every county in Pennsylvania, every state in the United States, and in numerous countries around the world. For the past 10 years, proud Penn State alumni have made their association the largest dues-paying organization of its kind in the world.

Fast Facts

Founded: 1870
Members: 165,182*
Total Penn State Alumni: 557,331*
Leadership: Executive Director Roger L. Williams '73, '75g, '88g
President: Kathleen Arnold Smarilli '71
Alumni Maps

Mission

The mission of the Alumni Association is to connect alumni to the University and to each other, to provide valued services to members, and to support the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service.

Today, that mission is brought to life through events and programs such as:

City Lights educational and cultural programs in five major East Coast cities;
pep rallies at all away football games;
Huddle with the Faculty lectures before all home football games;
reunion weekends;
Homecoming events, and so much more.

The mission is also embodied in the Alumni Association’s commitment to recognize outstanding alumni and alumni volunteers through its award programs.

Strategic Plan 2012-2013

An 11-point Strategic Plan of the Penn State Alumni Association provides a roadmap through 2013 focused on enhanced member service, organizational growth, student engagement, staff development, and financial security. Click here to see the complete Strategic Plan.

* An annual snapshot of number of members and total Penn State alumni is taken each year on July 1.