On June 24th 1874, the first five graduates of the University of Nebraska "duly organized themselves into an alumni association for purposes of mutual social improvement and the advancement of the interests of the University, James S Dales whose memories and benefits they wish to perpetuate." James S. Dales and William Snell, class of 1873, and Frank P. Hurde, Uriah H. Malick and Wallace M. Stephenson, class of 1874, christened their new club the "Associate Alumni of the College of Literature, Science and Art."

The first class reunions for the alumni association were organized in 1897, and the following year, alumni from all colleges in the university were invited to join the association.

The first alumni publication, the Alumni Bulletin, appeared in 1900 under the editorship of H.G. Shedd, class of 1897. The first alumni directory was published the same year.

The slate of alumni activities expanded in 1908 when a committee was named to guide the formation of local alumni chapters. In 1911, George W. Kline became the association's first permanent secretary. In 1912, the first alumni association celebrated its first annual homecoming at the Kansas/Nebraska football game; and in 1913, permanent alumni headquarters were found in the university's Administration Building.

The Nebraska Alumnus became the official publication of the alumni association in 1913, and has been published continuously since 1924. In 1994, it evolved into Nebraska Magazine when the university and the association joined forces to produce a publication for alumni and friends of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In 1922, the alumni association launched a drive to finance a new football stadium. By the time the association's 50th anniversary arrived in 1924, the offices had been moved from the Administration Building to the Law College to the Temple Building.

The alumni association was incorporated in 1941 under the laws of the State of Nebraska as a non-profit organization. The federal tax status of the association is that of a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

In the next three decades, several alumni programs and services were added or revived. In the early 1960s, the association introduced a travel program for alumni along the concept of the alumni college. During the 1970s, the alumni association strengthened its program for alumni by revitalizing alumni chapters and reunions. New programs included the Student Alumni Association, the Scarlet and Cream Singers, and college alumni groups. After several moves during the 1960s and '70s-from the Nebraska Union to Varner Hall to the old Phi Mu house, the association moved into the newly-constructed Milton I. Wick Alumni Center in 1985.

In the 1990s and 2000s, alumni programming continued growing, to include the Cather Circle mentoring program; the Breakfast for Champions honoring outstanding Nebraska eighth graders; the RED Gala scholarship fund raiser; the Alumni Legacy Program for children, grandchildren and siblings of alumni; the Huskers for Higher Education advocacy group; the Nebraska Alumni Admissions Program; the Alumni Job and Resume Board; and recent grad relations activities. New campus traditions initiated by the alumni association include the official Nebraska Ring, the Come On Home celebration, the Homecoming Pizza Pass, Senior Salute, Senior Sendoff, Spaghetti Splash and finals study hall at the Wick Center. Students are recognized through the Husker 24 program; the Osborn, Vann and Yaley leadership awards; and numerous scholarships. In addition to the association’s quarterly Nebraska Magazine, other communications pieces include the annual Alumni Resource Guide, the annual Alumni Calendar, the quarterly Palladian Digest, the monthly eNUz and the Web site at www.huskeralum.com. In addition to annual and life memberships, alumni may now become power members, sustaining life members and 1874 Society members, as well as qualify for the Life Endowment Wall in the updated Holling Garden adjacent to the Wick Alumni Center.

The alumni association is governed by a 30-member board of directors consisting of alumni of the university and representatives from the Student Alumni Association and the chancellor’s office. The board meets three times a year; the executive committee, a seven-member committee of the board meets more frequently to provide leadership and policy governance for the association.

MISSION STATEMENT
Create a lifelong connection among alumni, friends, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to inspire service, leadership, tradition and the expression of loyalty.

VISION STATEMENT
The independent voice of Nebraska alumni and friends.
A Stronger Alumni. A Greater University.

CORE VALUES
 Leadership
 Service
 Alumni and Friends
 Integrity
Spirit