On July 3, 1908, four years before Arizona achieved statehood, fourteen University of Michigan graduates and former students gathered for an informal dinner at the “Den” in Phoenix and formed the University of Michigan Alumni Association of Arizona. Louis C. Hill (1886, Engineering) became the club’s first president, while William C. Hornberger (1901) served as treasurer. At the time, approximately 100 University of Michigan alumni were believed to live throughout the Arizona Territory. The founding members planned a grand banquet later that year to bring area alumni together. In 1925, the club was officially granted its charter, #79.
The club remained active until 1929–1934, when the Great Depression and growing international conflicts led to a period of inactivity. Following World War II, the Phoenix area experienced significant growth, and the University of Michigan club grew alongside it. Over the years, the club’s leadership has represented a wide range of professions, including business, law, medicine, dentistry, banking, and government.
In 1966, the club elected its first woman president, Joan Frazer, marking an important milestone in the organization’s history. Several other women have since served as president, continuing the club’s tradition of diverse leadership. The club has also provided a pathway for local alumni to take on leadership roles beyond the Arizona organization.
Today, the University of Michigan alumni club continues to serve approximately 3,000 alumni in the Phoenix metropolitan area. For more than a century, the club has provided opportunities for alumni to connect, celebrate their Michigan ties, support students, and maintain a strong University of Michigan presence in Arizona.