Our History

In May 1909, 20 graduates from the newly created Florida State College for Women established the FSCW Alumni Association. In 1920, the first Alumni Club was formed in New York City. Alumnae living throughout Florida followed suit, creating "Flastacowo" clubs in their hometowns, providing the foundation for today's Seminole Club network.

During the association's early years, interested volunteers handled the necessary work until 1929 when the services of a part-time executive secretary were required. Alumni activities dramatically increased, and a full-time secretary was employed in 1930.

In 1947, Florida State University was established, creating a new co-educational institution. Soon after, additional athletics teams were created. In response, the Alumni Association launched Seminole Boosters, Inc. to provide private support for the Athletics Department. This organization would remain under the umbrella of the Alumni Association until 1974.

During its early years, the association was located in the Longmire Alumni Building, named for Rowena Longmire, its first executive director. As FSU continued to grow, so did Alumni Association activities and services, including the formation of the Seminole Club network, the Emeriti Society and the 50-year Class Reunions. The Alumni Association eventually outgrew the Longmire Building and relocated to the University Center in February 1997.

In 2004, the Alumni Association moved into an Alumni Center encompassing a remodeled Colonial-style home, which served as the residence for eight past FSU presidents, and a facility housing staff offices, conference rooms and a grand ballroom. The Alumni Center is adjacent to campus on West Tennessee Street and remains the home of the FSU Alumni Association today.

The year 2009 marked the Florida State University Alumni Association's 100th anniversary. This great moment in the association's history was celebrated by hosting 100 events throughout the year. One of the 100 events was a time capsule dedication. In honor of the 100th anniversary, the classes of 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956 and 1959 donated items for the time capsule, which will remain underground in the Alumni Center Courtyard until the year 2109, the Alumni Association's 200th anniversary.

In 2023, under the leadership of Vice President for University Advancement and President of the FSU Foundation Marla Vickers, Ph.D., the Alumni Association and FSU Foundation united under the Division of University Advancement, working together to increase the university’s capacity for private philanthropy and volunteer support.