In 1891, James McElroy was named the first president of the UW Alumni Association, and since then the UWAA has named 82 dynamic presidents. To honor these individuals and keep them connected, the UWAA held its second annual Past Presidents Barbecue on the evening of Thursday, June 17.

An amazing 23 of 33 living past presidents gathered at the Alumni House to enjoy chicken and salmon, and to discuss the Association past and present. Presidents from the past 40 years were in attendance, dating back as far as the 1964 term (Ken Solid), as well as all seven female presidents. All had the chance to reminisce and discuss the opportunities and challenges on the horizon, as well as toast 2004 UWAA Distinguished Service Award winner Larry Matsuda. The UWAA past presidents roster includes many Seattle community leaders in business and industry, and the connections to campus remain ever strong. Thank you to all our past presidents, and may this great tradition endure!

To read about the 2004-05 UWAA president, Karen Turner Lee, see her volunteer profile.

The female Past Presidents of the UW Alumni Association.
Left to right, front row: Betty McCurdy, Diana Holland, Carol McKinstry, Trish Bostrom.
Back row: Sheila Manus Vortman, Dawn Williams, Sally Jarvis