Dear Alumni,

Welcome back to the University of Arizona for Homecoming 2017. This is my sixth Homecoming as president of the University of Arizona Alumni Association and my favorite time of year at the university. The temperature is just starting to cool off, fall sports are in full swing and Homecoming festivities are underway. 

I love meeting alumni from across the world as they return to campus to reminisce about their time as students and reconnect with friends and classmates. Alumni enjoy walks along the Mall, visit favorite professors, attend events or talks at their colleges and eat at their favorite restaurants on University Boulevard. It’s great fun to watch alumni and their families stop at Old Main for a picture in front of the fountain.  

The Alumni Association has a great weekend planned for alumni and students including one of my favorite events, the 50th Class Reunion. Alumni who graduated 50 years ago are always so grateful to celebrate the university and UA traditions. Fifty years may have passed, but they remember their time as students like it was yesterday.

The alumni association’s 120th anniversary lunch and Alumni of the Year awards ceremony are Friday afternoon with guest speaker UA President Dr. Robert Robbins. If you haven’t met the university’s new president, you are in for a treat. Dr. Robbins has hit the ground running, meeting alumni at every turn from events across the country to university open houses. Like me, he believes our alumni are a testament to how special this university is. In fact, we believe Wildcat alumni are the best in the world. They make a difference as leaders in their communities. Thank you for representing the University of Arizona with pride. 

Enjoy the traditions this weekend — the bonfire and pep rally, crowning of the Homecoming king and queen, the Wildcat for Life Tailgate Party and the Homecoming parade. Visit arizonaalumni.com for more information.

I look forward to a wonderful Homecoming and hope to meet as many of you as possible throughout the weekend. Let’s make sure to cheer on our 5-2 football team as they face off against Pac-12 opponent Washington State. Be a part of a great Homecoming win!

Melinda Burke

President

The University of Arizona

Alumni Association