Annual Celebration

Friday, April 26, 2024 | 5:30 - 9 p.m. | McNamara Alumni Center  
This year's 120th Annual Celebration event is SOLD OUT! Thank you for celebrating 120 years of alumni excellence with us. If you have questions, please email the Alumni Association at umalumni@umn.edu or call 612-624-2323.


 

Event Highlights

Founded in 1904 by alumni for alumni, the Alumni Association is celebrating 120 years of alumni advancing and promoting the University of Minnesota around the world. Be a part of a momentous night, honoring the long legacy of alumni impacting the lives of each other, their alma mater, and more!

  • Experience creativity in action with our alumni entrepreneurs’ showcase pop-ups.
  • Grab a drink at the hosted bar (featuring alumni beer & wine).
  • Shop the MN Alumni Market, our one-stop shop for alumni-created products.
  • Share laughs with new and old friends while you mingle with leaders of the U of M community.
  • This fun-filled evening will include a modern variety show, featuring student music performances, vignettes and a University-themed trivia showdown.

Event Dress Code

Maroon & Gold Business

Questions?

Email umalumni@umn.edu or call 612-624-2323.

 

 

 

 



Alumni-Owned Business Spotlights

The UMAA supports alumni-owned businesses by providing a platform to showcase their products during the cocktail hour of Annual Celebration. From sustainable cork products to Tesla rental cars, the UMAA has helped alumni entrepreneurs reach hundreds of people and celebrate the role the University has played in their entrepreneurial journey. Check out this year's featured businesses below!


 

Minneapolis Cider Company
David O'Neill, B.S.B. '15 (Carlson School of Management)
Jason Dayton, B.A. '15 (College of Continuing and Professional Studies)

David & Jason studied entrepreneurship at the U of M, and during a junior year abroad in London, they fell in love with the UK’s cider culture. In 2015, David and Jason founded Minneapolis Cider Company as part of Entrepreneurship in Action, a Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship undergraduate capstone course. The company opened a 30,000-sq.-ft. cidery in Northeast Minneapolis in 2019, offering food, cider, cocktails, four indoor pickleball courts, and a 7,000-sq.-ft. private events venue. In 2022, the company launched Minnesota's first THC-Infused beverage brand, Trail Magic.

Minneapolis Cider Company Website
Minneapolis Cider Company on the MN Alumni Market

 

Siena Soap
Mary Ottman,
M.P.H. '93 (School of Public Health)

Mary Ottman is a public health administrator with a graduate degree in Public Health Administration from the U of M, and the creative force behind Siena Soap Company. She started the business as a hobby to bring natural relief to her multicultural family’s diverse skincare needs. The company is an all-natural artisan skincare company with soaps made from scratch using a cold-processed method and natural ingredients.

 
 
Siena Soap Website
Siena Soap on the MN Alumni Market
 

 
 


Made In Minn
Natalie Koelln, B.S. '09 (College of Education and Human Development, Carlson School of Management)

After suffering from postpartum anxiety and depression after the birth of her second child, Natalie Koelln exited the corporate world to focus on her health and family. One of her therapeutic outlets, embroidery, turned into Made In Minn! Where all things embroidered meet style + fashion. Launched in July 2020, the company produces blended cotton sweatshirts, twill baseball caps, canvas totes, cotton towels, and more, each intricately embroidered. Made In Minn products are available through the MN Alumni Market, online, and elsewhere.

Made in Minn Website
Made in Minn on the MN Alumni Market

 
 
 
 

 

Roseline's Candles
Roseline Friedrich, B.A. '12 (College of Liberal Arts)

Roseline Friedrich owns Roseline’s Candles, a Black woman- and immigrant-owned business that developed from her love of candles and beautiful jars. All candles are made with 100% soy wax hand-poured into recycled glass jars/vessels. She believes in recycling, reusing, upcycling, and reducing waste because the planet's health depends on it! Roseline's Candles are currently sold at five local retail stores and a mortar location in St. Paul.

Rosaline's Candles Website
Rosaline's Candles on the MN Alumni Market
 

 
 
 


Thank you to our event sponsors


 


 



Thank you to our cocktail sponsors