Alumni Association
Hello, and Welcome to the ETHS Alumni Association! As someone who attended or graduated from Evanston Township High School, YOU are already a member of the Alumni Association. The Evanston Township High School Alumni Association was founded in 1995 to assist the school, its students, and its graduates. Led over the years by active, creative board members and funded by dues and donations from generous ETHS alumni, the Association has been able to develop programs and initiatives that fulfill its original mission to "promote and support ETHS and to foster a spirit of loyalty and friendship among the school’s alumni." In addition, the Association has been able to facilitate programs that were dreamed up by several class reunions.
ETHS Homecoming Weekend 2012
October 5 & 6, 2012
Here’s a brief summary of what the Alumni Association offers ETHS alumni and their high-school alma mater.
The KIT (Keep In Touch) Newsletter
The most visible product of the Association is The KIT. This twice-a-year newsletter goes to approximately 46,000 graduates at known addresses. It is funded by alumni who are dues-paying members of the Alumni Association. The KIT is mailed to all ETHS alumni each April and November. If you have not received a copy, contact the Alumni Office to update your address listing.
NEW e-KIT! You can now receive The KIT to you e-mail inbox! The e-KIT is your earth friendly alternative with all the same information and content as The KIT! By signing up for the e-KIT you will no longer receive the traditional paper version of The KIT delivered to your mailbox. This is a great option for those who wish to go green, prefer to read The KIT on the their computer, or have multiple Wildkits at one residence and wish to cut down on duplicate mail. The e-KIT will begin with the Fall 2011 issue of The KIT. Sign up for the e-kit here!
Class Reunions
Class reunions of Evanston Township High School graduates are very special events that are planned and coordinated by ETHS Alumni. The ETHS Alumni Association is here to provide you with the resources to make your reunion an event to remember.
Those interested in taking the leadership role of coordinating their class reunions are encouraged to notify the ETHS Alumni Association at 847-424-7704. We will provide you with the latest issue of the ETHS Class Reunion Handbook and post class reunion information on the ETHS website and in the KIT.
To get started planning an ETHS class reunion please click here.
Distinguished Alumni Award
This alumni recognition program, started in 2003, was conceived by the Association Board at the impetus of former Board President Robert Morgan, ’54. These awards go to graduates who have achieved notable honors throughout their life. Students, faculty, and alumni participate in the selection process. In early December, the awardees come to the school and talk to the senior class and other students during the day about how the school influenced them. A dinner follows that evening at which the award winners are introduced to school and community representatives. Submit a candidate for the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award here.
Scholarships
Scholarships Early in its career, the Alumni Association began providing scholarships to worthy graduates selected by the school. Currently, the Association awards five $1,000 scholarships to graduates. The Association also has assisted in raising tens of thousands of dollars to augment the Cunningham Award (given to the outstanding senior male) and help put it back on a sounder financial basis. In addition, the Association has helped raise funds for several memorial scholarships.
Alumni Endowment
Alumni Endowment In 2000, the Association asked all alums to help establish a tax-exempt endowment fund to contribute to the special needs of the ETHS faculty and high-school programs that are not funded by tax revenue, particularly scholarships. To date, almost $160,000 has been raised. The Association Board allocates some of the endowment money for a Mini-Grant Program, which funds up to $1,000 for teachers and staff educational projects that benefit student learning.
ETHS Dialogue Series
This program was conceived and initially funded by two 50th class reunions (’45 and ’47) that wanted to initiate a program that directly benefits current ETHS students. Administered by the school and the Association, the Dialogue Series provides honoraria for classroom speakers. Other reunion committees have replenished funds for this popular enrichment program.
Laptop Loan Program
The Class of ’48 provided seed money to buy laptop computers for the school to loan to students who lack computer access at home.
ETHS Authors’ Bookshelf
The Class of ’54 set aside funds from a reunion to start this project. Special bookcases located in the ETHS Central Library hold over 600 books and manuals written and donated by ETHS graduates, including winners of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. Three-ring binders on top of the bookcases hold the writers’ photos and biographies, so students can discover more about the alumni who are featured in this special collection.
Class Reunion Guidebook
The Association’s Reunion Committee compiled a guide to help alumni reunion planning committees as they begin to organize their class reunion. This helpful resource is available free to ETHS alumni groups.
Alumni
* denotes department administrator