Alumni Association

The Trinity College Alumni Association (TCAA) is a network of Trinity graduates working to preserve and maintain a strong relationship with the College. The Association is comprised of an Executive Committee as well as smaller subcommittees. The current structure of the Association requires that at least 14 members serve as representatives of the whole alumni body. The TCAA was called the “National Alumni Association” until 2019.

While it is unclear how early an alumni association came into existence at Trinity, Weaver's book includes a list of Alumni Association presidents beginning with the year 1831. Prior to having been called the Alumni Association, the group functioned under the name Associated Alumni until 1845, when it was reorganized into the House of Convocation in an attempt to give the alumni more power and participation in the life of the College. In 1883, with the election–for the first time–of three alumni to the Board of Trustees, the Alumni Association “took on new life.” ¹⁾ The Convocation then petitioned the trustees to change the name to “Association of Alumni of Trinity College.”

Even before the establishment of a larger, general alumni association, there were many active alumni association groups located around the U.S. which were instrumental to the work of the larger Association, particularly with regard to fundraising. Early groups included: Boston, Buffalo, California, Chicago, Detroit, Georgia, Hartford, Maryland, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, and Washington D.C., as well as regional groups like New England. By 1958 the Association had created an Alumni Council, which held its first conference in September of that year. The Council was to serve as “a year-round organization to advise the College administration on matters concerning alumni activities.” ²⁾

Current alumni “Area Clubs” include Boston, Fairfield County, Hartford, Los Angeles, New York City, Southwest Florida, and Washington, D.C. As in the early years of the College, Area Clubs help to foster a sense of camaraderie among alumni as well as helping to maintain friendships and provide educational and networking opportunities. Area Clubs are the primary way Trinity College stays connected to its alumni base.

The Association's work is centered on preserving the bond between alumni and the College through annual meetings, the establishment of alumni awards, and detailed reports of alumni work. These reports were often published in the Trinity College Bulletin as well as the Trinity College Alumni Magazine, and discussed funding, changes in Association leadership, and updates on programs established by the Association. Programs have centered on reaching out to and interviewing prospective students, as well as improving public relations by implementing resources like an alumni calendar and newsletter. Currently, The Trinity Reporter disseminates information pertaining to College alumni.