Ellen Sorenson, second from left; associate director of bands and former marching band director Jerry Luckhardt, second from right; Alumni Association President Bruce Mooty and Regent Patricia Simmons. Photograph by Sher Stoneman

A four-year member of the University Marching Band and a graduate of the University’s Institute of Technology (IT), Ellen Sorenson has been nothing short of the "life force" of the Band Alumni Society. Despite a full-time career as a systems engineer, she has continually given back to the U, not only serving on the IT Alumni Society board as chair of its mentor program, but also on the band alumni board since her graduation. She is currently serving for the third time as its president, and her devotion led to an invitation to serve on the School of Music Advisory Committee.

Sorenson has worked with depth, commitment, and creativity to increase the visibility of the band program, increase membership in its alumni society, support such projects as the commissioning program and artistic residencies, and raise scholarship funds to attract and retain exceptional student musicians. Her leadership and devotion will benefit the University and its students for many years to come.