Lane Tech Alumni Association: A Legacy of Excellence and Community

The Lane Tech Alumni Association (LTAA) stands as a testament to the enduring legacy and transformative power of Lane Tech College Prep. For decades, it has strengthened the bond between the school and its graduates, enriching both the institution and the lives of its alumni. This article delves into the mission, vision, objectives, benefits, and activities of the LTAA, showcasing its vital role in preserving Lane Tech's traditions and fostering a vibrant community.

Mission and Vision

The Lane Tech Alumni Association's mission is to champion the lifelong relationship of Lane Tech graduates to their alma mater, to one another, and to the greater community of Lane Tech. The vision of the LTAA is to set the gold standard for a dynamic, intergenerational alumni organization affiliated with an urban, public high school.

Objectives: Making Connections, Celebrating History, and Supporting Learning

The LTAA pursues its mission and vision through several key objectives:

Make Meaningful Connections: Fostering connections among alumni is a core objective. The association provides platforms for graduates to find and communicate with friends and classmates, nurturing a sense of kinship that transcends generations.
Celebrate History & Culture: Recognizing and celebrating Lane Tech's rich history and unique culture is another vital objective. The LTAA ensures that the traditions and values that have shaped Lane Tech for over a century are preserved and passed on to future generations.
Support Life-long Learning: The LTAA supports life-long learning opportunities for its members and the wider Lane Tech community.

Membership Benefits: Staying Connected and Giving Back

Membership in the LTAA offers a range of benefits, providing alumni with opportunities to stay connected, informed, and involved:

Lane Tech Today Magazine: Members enjoy access to the tri-annual magazine, Lane Tech Today, in both print and online formats. This publication keeps alumni updated on school news, alumni profiles, and upcoming events.
Networking Opportunities: The LTAA provides platforms for professional networking, connecting alumni across various industries and career stages.
Supporting Future Generations: By joining the LTAA, alumni fuel the engine that supports member services and philanthropy, ensuring that today’s students have the same transformative experience that they had at Lane.
Incentives for Engagement: The association provides an incentive to come out and play!

A Transformative Experience: Alumni Testimonials

The impact of Lane Tech and the LTAA is best reflected in the words of its alumni:

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One alumnus shared, "My experience at Lane was transformative, but that of my two sons was even more meaningful. The exceptional faculty in both special education and standard academic departments helped my children cultivate their unique strengths and emphasize that Lane is the School of Champions for ALL students. I can’t think of a better way to give back than to offer my services through the Alumni Association.”
Another alumnus expressed, “Realizing that the educational excellence and personal development that I received during my four years at Lane set the stage for and laid the ground work for my future success, I felt a need to stay connected to assist in the preservation of this great institution.”
A dedicated member noted, “There is only one Lane Tech. My time as a student made me who I am today, not only because of my education but the life-long friendships I was fortunate enough to establish. I consider working for the LTAA an honor and a unique privilege. It never surprises me how often I run into alumni and the connection is immediate. There is a kinship among graduates that is simply special. My goal is to foster those connections in order to give back to Lane Tech and its students.”

Supporting Lane Tech: Ensuring a Legacy of Excellence

The LTAA actively supports Lane Tech through various initiatives, ensuring that the school continues to thrive as a leading educational institution. Your support will ensure that others will have that same transformative experience, and the legacy of Fearless & Bold will continue in all of us!

Financial Contributions

The LTAA seeks donations to support students through scholarships, teacher grants, student grants, or the endowment drive. Alumni are encouraged to make a gift to the LTAA Annual Fund.

Transparency and Accountability

The Lane Tech Alumni Association has earned the highest level available, the Platinum Seal of Transparency with GuideStar/Candid, and a 4-star, 96-point “Give with Confidence” rating with Charity Navigator!

Lane Tech: A Historical Overview

Lane Tech's history is rich with tradition and innovation.

Early Years and Evolution

Located on Division and Sedgwick, the Albert Grannis Lane Manual Training High School opened in September 1908. The school was formally dedicated on Washington’s birthday, February 1909 and is named for Albert Grannis Lane, Chicago Superintendent of Schools. Initially a manual training school for boys, Lane Tech evolved into a college preparatory school. As industrial education’s popularity continued to grow through the years, and Lane added many new courses to its curriculum, Principal Bogan recommended that the school’s name be changed to reflect all of the courses offered. By 1915 the school was in full swing. The building was in almost constant use. Carpentry, cabinet making, and wood turning were offered to first year students. Sophomores were given extensive training in the fields of foundry, forge, welding, core making, and molding. Juniors worked in the most popular shop, the machine shop. It was equipped with 80 machines and 60 lathes cast and built at Lane. Seniors were given the most advanced shop, the electric shop. There they built motors, generators, transformers, and other instruments. Other classes, such as art, classical architecture, drafting, and English were offered to develop students’ communication skills. The print shop was the best equipped high school print shop in America. It was equipped with the newest and most advanced equipment of the time. Its jobs included the 4 page Lane Daily, the 56 page monthly Tech Prep, and the annual 200 page yearbook plus other out of school jobs.

The New Campus and Coeducation

The current building, situated on a beautiful thirty-acre campus, was opened in 1934. On dedication day, September 17, 1934, 9000 boys marched from Cubs Park to the new school. In September 1971 female students entered Lane’s doors for the first time. Today they make up roughly half of the student body and have helped maintain Lane’s “Championship” tradition. The year 1971 brought the most noticeable change in Lane’s history. The Board of Education approved Superintendent James Redmond’s recommendation to admit girls to Lane Tech. He cited a drop in enrollment and the lack of a technical school that admits girls as reasons for the change. The school was in a turmoil after this decision. Fifteen hundred Lane boys protested at the Board of Education. The general fear was that the school’s quality would drop and within a few years Lane would be just another high school.

Academic Excellence and Expansion

Continuing the tradition of excellence, in September 2011, Lane established a six-year Academic Center program and moved from a ninth through twelfth grade program of study to a seventh through twelfth grade program of study. Lane Tech is the largest high school in the city with more than 4,200 students representing all races, creeds and national origins. The faculty is made up of more than 250 professional educators. Lane’s curriculum emphasizes college preparatory education and also builds upon the school’s technical tradition. Lane’s curriculum is continually evaluated and changed to meet its current students’ needs, interests, and expectations. Lane enjoys a tradition of both academic and athletic excellence. Throughout the years, its teams, both boys’ and girls’, have won more than 500 city championships.

Albert Grannis Lane: A Visionary Educator

Born in a small, modest home in 1841 on what is now the corner of State and Van Buren Streets, Albert Grannis Lane made a permanent impression on Chicago and its people. Imbued with a strong work ethic, Mr. Through his initiative and hard work, Albert G. Lane earned an appointment as the principal of the Franklin School just after his graduation from high school. Thus, at the age of seventeen, he became the youngest principal in the history of the Chicago Public Schools system. In 1869, Mr. Lane became Superintendent of the Cook County schools where he made many innovations to improve the quality of the public schools. During his long career, Mr. Mr. Lane’s most cherished dream was the creation of a large high school dedicated to providing students with hands-on experiences in technical education while developing and enhancing their academic skills.

Traditions and Landmarks

Lane Tech holds deeply to traditions established 90 years ago. Maintaining its high goals and ideals, Lane retains the majority of all athletic championships, many Illinois High School Association titles, and has a college attendance rate of 85%. Its music program has provided the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with many players.

"Go, Lane, Go!": The School Song

Lane Tech is proud to be one of the few high schools in the nation with an original school song. “Go, Lane, Go!” was written by Jack T. Nelson, in 1915. Jack was an extraordinary student, assistant conductor of the Lane Orchestra, manager of the Glee Club and an accomplished musician. Upon entering Lane, he became aware of the need for a school song and set out to write one. The results were met with deep enthusiasm. Its’ first school appearance came at a football pep rally. The twenty-one hundred excited boys listened intently as the Glee Club sang “Go, Lane, Go!”. The new song was greeted with overwhelming approval, but had yet to be performed in public. Its’ debut came on December 15, 1914 at Saint Alphonses Athenaeum with the Mask and Shears’ presentation of “The Day of the Race”. The impressed audience resounded with the chorus: Go! Lane! Go! Written by Jack T. (Hit `em high!

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The Memorial Garden

The Lane Tech Memorial Garden is located in the inner courtyard of the building and is dedicated to students who have lost their lives in defense of our country. At the west end of the Memorial Garden is the Ramo I. At the center of the Memorial Garden is the large rectangular-shaped pond with two WPA-funded statues by the sculptor, Charles Umlauf. The Memorial Garden was rededicated in 1998. During the school’s 90th anniversary celebration in 1998, a commemorative plaque was placed near the “Shooting the Stars” statue. It explains the significance of the Memorial Garden to Lane Tech and its students. In the summer of 2009, the Memorial Garden underwent a complete renovation and was made more accessible for all members of the Lane Tech community to enjoy.

The Murals of Lane Tech

The magnificent art that beautifies Lane Technical High School is the largest and most comprehensive collection of any school in Chicago, the Midwest, and perhaps even the United States. These historic works of art, 66 murals and two cast-stone fountain figures, date from two phases in the school’s history. Some were commissioned in 1908 by the Chicago Public School Art Society for Lane’s first building at Sedgwick and Division streets. Others were created during the Great Depression (1929-1942). This nationally recognized collection is valued for its aesthetic qualities, historic importance, and political perspectives. Be a part of history! For the first time ever, a book celebrating the murals of Lane is being produced. Help us ensure that 100% of proceeds can go to the preservation and restoration of the works. Donate today in support of publishing expenses.

Staying Connected: Alumni and Community Engagement

Lane Tech Alumni are an important aspect of Lane culture and history. We want to make sure, as alumni, you are informed of all that is happening at Lane Tech College Prep. The Lane Tech Alumni Association is committed to keeping alumni members connected to Lane with one another through reunions, fellowship events, professional networking, quarterly newsletters and social media. The Friends of Lane is an all-volunteer, parent-driven, Lane Tech Community organization and registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. We offer our parents an avenue to stay involved in your student’s education and be a part of Lane Tech. We recognize teachers, administrators, and staff with an annual appreciation luncheon and breakfast. In addition, we offer Teacher Grants to help bridge the funding gap and provide the necessary materials to students to expand their learning opportunities. Click here to sign up for the Lane Tech Newsletter.

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