All alumni who had their degrees conferred by Dr. Andrew D. Holt (1959–1970) were required to take a pledge before Dr. Holt conferred their degrees. The pledge stipulated that the new alum must participate in all alumni association activities (not merely class reunions); support academic, as well as athletics programs; “put my money where my mouth is by opening my pocketbook as widely as I open my mouth when bragging on my alma mater;” and “brag on my alma mater at every opportunity and as immodestly as a grandfather brags on his grandson.” President Joe Johnson delivered the same message by asking graduates to “(1) send us other students just like you; (2) say good things about your alma mater—don’t talk about parking, talk instead of the friends you made and the good professors you had; (3) come back and see us often; (4) join the national alumni association—we have chapters everywhere in Chicago, Taiwan, Los Angeles, New York, Red Boiling Springs . . .; and (5) when we write, and we will, eight times a year, to ask you to give money, send it.”