Margaret Waterman Alumnae Group
This University of Michigan Alumnae group was established in 1953 and named after its sponsor, Margaret Lawlor Waterman. When it began, it was part of the Alumni Association’s organization for women, The Alumnae Council. Women joined Waterman to support the advancement of female students, faculty, and alumnae in the university community. Today Waterman membership is open to all who support its mission: to support and promote, through cooperation with Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, the advancement of the interests of the University of Michigan and closer fellowship among alumni/ae, students and friends.
The group’s primary fundraiser is its Town Hall Celebrity Lecture series, which brings four speakers a year to the Ann Arbor campus for a combined lecture and luncheon. The money raised provides scholarship funding for University of Michigan students regardless of gender. The more than $500,000 of scholarship funds distributed has helped over 150 students attain their educational goals.
Message from the President
Welcome to the Waterman Alumnae Group Website!
Established in 1953, the Waterman Alumnae Group continues to be a robust non-profit organization dedicated to local charitable and educational purposes. The mission of the Waterman Alumnae Group is to provide support to University of Michigan students. The Waterman Town Hall Celebrity Lecture Series, started in 1972, is the primary fundraiser for scholarships. We are providing a total of $50,000 in scholarships to ten students for the 2025-26 academic year and plan to continue or even increase that amount in 2026-27.
The Town Hall series of lectures and luncheons announced for the 2026-2027 season will resonate with our members who demonstrate a wide range of interests, talents and experiences. We strive to provide insightful, timely, informative, entertaining and even occasionally provocative speakers. The series will continue in person at the Washtenaw Community College Morris Lawrence Building. You can read about our upcoming speakers on the Town Hall page and view the Town Hall brochure for 2026-27.
It is easy to join or renew your membership by mail or the secure online registration/renewal process found on the Join Waterman page. If you are coming with a group of friends, you’ll be able to request seating at the same table whether registering online or by mail. Membership is open to all, so gather your group of friends to join you!
JUNE 15, 2026, is the deadline day for registrations and group seating requests.
While most of your membership fee covers the cost of the Waterman luncheon and speaker fees, we welcome your help in a variety of ways. Whether you wish to make a direct contribution to our endowed scholarship fund, OR would like to serve on a committee or even the Waterman board, we are a group of volunteers and we welcome your participation. It takes a village to accomplish all that our group aspires to do each year.
There are many competitors in our neighborhood for your time and treasure. We so appreciate your membership in the Margaret Waterman Alumnae Group and the support for our University of Michigan student scholarship recipients. Not only will you be enriched by exceptional national and expert speakers, and interaction with fellow Waterman members, but will also directly lift up ten amazing Michigan students in the process. What a good decision!
Best wishes,
Glenna Frank Miller
President
2026-2027