Alumni Association Home	Print View

Margaret Sughrue Carlson

Carlson, 65, is the longest-serving alumni director in the Big Ten and only the sixth CEO in the 105-year history of the organization.

“I’ve been so fortunate to serve my alma mater for a quarter of a century,” she said. “This is a great time to pass the maroon and gold mantle of leadership on to my successor.  This has been a dream job. It’s given me the chance to work with outstanding volunteer leadership and to help spread the word about the University of Minnesota around the state, the nation and the world. “

“Margaret has a most impressive record of service to both the Alumni Association and the University,” said Bruce Mooty, national president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. “Under Margaret’s inspired leadership and direction the Alumni Association has more than doubled in size from fewer than 30,000 to more than 60,000 members today.”

University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks said, “To so many people, Margaret has been the connection to some 400,000 living alumni. Her efforts in building a legislative network were key in helping us tell our story effectively at the Legislature. With the possible exception of Goldy Gopher, she brought more spirit, energy and enthusiasm to her job than anyone I can think of. From Bemidji to Boston to Beijing, she has motivated our graduates to stand up and speak out for this great institution. She’s provided that bridge between people who built our past and the ones who will shape our future.”

Under Carlson’s leadership the association has grown the award-winning Minnesota Magazine, built links from alumni to students through a comprehensive mentor program, implemented a sophisticated legislative network and launched a popular statewide speaker’s tour.

She helped change the face of the institution by coordinating strong alumni support for the construction of some $60 million in projects, including the McNamara Alumni Center and Gateway Plaza, the Alumni Wall of Honor, Scholars Walk and the Wall of Discovery.

Under Carlson’s leadership the association drew record crowds back to campus for its annual meetings which featured the likes of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, football coach Tony Dungy, playwright August Wilson, storyteller Garrison Keillor and news anchors Walter Cronkite and Ted Koppel.

Archie Givens, president-elect of the Alumni Association’s national board, saluted Carlson and the association for its efforts to help bring Gopher football back to campus. “The Alumni Association was one of the earliest and most enthusiastic voices for bringing Gopher football back to campus. Under Margaret’s leadership we made the first $1 million gift to the stadium and topped it off with another $500,000 for student scholarships which is being matched by the University.”

Carlson helped lobby the state legislature for stadium funding, and the association sponsored a 40-community statewide tour to bring the stadium message to Greater Minnesota.  Givens, a former Gopher football player, said he is looking forward with Carlson to the opening of TCF Bank Stadium on September 12 and to “The Ultimate Homecoming” in October.

A Kansas native, Carlson has been a staff member, volunteer or graduate student at the University of Minnesota for the past 43 years. She joined the U of M Extension Service in 1966 and earned her Ph.D. in education administration and public policy in 1983.

She said she plans to remain active in the Twin Cities community. “I’m ready to embrace a new career opportunity, and I’m also looking forward to some quality travel time with my husband, Paul Citron.” Carlson and Citron wed in August 2008.

Mooty and Maureen Reed, former chair of the University’s Board of Regents and current first vice president of the Alumni Association, will lead a nationwide search for Carlson’s successor.