Alumni Association Home > Past Issues > 2008 > September-October 2008	Print View

When I was growing up, I loved to play whiffle ball, softball, and baseball. I enjoyed being outdoors, putting on a uniform, playing catch with teammates, and utilizing teamwork and strategy in playing our national pastime. Occasionally, a coach would have me bat fourth in the lineup, to drive in runs and “clean up” the bases. My dad still beams as he recalls my batting cleanup and hitting a bases-loaded triple to win the championship game in Little League many decades ago.

This summer, I experienced the unprecedented double cleanup, when I was named president of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. I am the fourth member of my family to serve as president of the Alumni Association, following in the footsteps of my father, John Mooty (B.S. ’43, J.D. ’44), my uncle Ken Glaser (B.B.A. ’42), and my brother Chip Glaser (B.S.B. ’75). Remarkably, I am also the fourth member of the Gray Plant Mooty Mooty & Bennett law firm to be president of the Alumni Association, preceded by Frank Gray (B.A. ’25), John Mooty, and Bob Stein (B.S.L. ’60, J.D. ’61). I’ve had the privilege of playing on many championship teams, but the talent, expertise, dedication, generosity, and enthusiasm of these family and firm members would be hard to beat (although foot speed could be improved).

While I followed these great leaders in becoming involved in the Alumni Association, it was a journey I took of my own volition. The University has been invaluable in my personal and professional development. I was one of three Minnesotans to attend Amherst College my freshman year, but as I ultimately wanted to live in Minnesota, I decided I would spend my sophomore year at the U of M in the hope of making some lifelong friendships. I got involved in student government, joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, played almost every intramural sport possible, and enjoyed my studies. I was elected president of the College of Liberal Arts student governing board, became a teaching assistant, graduated early from the University, and never returned to Amherst. Later, I was accepted to Harvard and Stanford law schools and was about to start class at Stanford when I decided my love of family and Minnesota made the University of Minnesota Law School the best choice for me.

Many in my family have made similar wise choices, and all together we have received 25 undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University. I am particularly proud that my mother, Virginia Mae Nelson Mooty (B.A. ’43), graduated summa cum laude from the University at the age of 19. In addition, we currently have family members in the U’s Medical School, Law School, Carlson School of Management, and College of Liberal Arts. Also noteworthy is that all of these family members have become ambassadors for the University in varied ways and my parents and siblings are all Alumni Association members.

My hope for this year is that all members ponder anew how they have benefited from the University and become rekindled ambassadors for this great institution. Who knows you may be the next cleanup hitter for your family or business.