Celebrate 35 years of Scottsdale history with 'Milestones & Memories' Exhibit, June 25

"Milestones and Memories: 35 Years of Scottsdale Area History” is a an exhibit filled with photos and content, commemorating the past 35 years of Scottsdale’s evolution as a preferred destination for a business location and hometown.

The exhibit opens on Friday, June 25 and runs through Dec. 31 at Scottsdale’s Civic Center Library, during regular library hours of operation. The exhibit surrounds the Scottsdale Heritage Connection/Messinger Family Research Room, according to a press release.

Images and quotes in the exhibit portray many milestones and issues faced in recent Scottsdale history, selected to evoke memories and prompt discussions for residents and visitors alike.

“When we set out to commemorate Scottsdale Leadership’s 35th anniversary, it was important to us that we not only highlighted our organization’s history and successes, but the vital role our alumni have played in Scottsdale’s history as well,” said Joan Fudala, community historian, Scottsdale Leadership Class 9 alumnae and Scottsdale Leadership History Committee member, in a prepared statement.

The Milestones & Memories exhibit also salutes the city of Scottsdale’s 70th anniversary of incorporation (June 25, 1951-2021). Graduates of Scottsdale Leadership have been integral to the history of Scottsdale for half of the city’s municipal lifespan.

Scottsdale Leadership alumni have served on nearly all of the city’s boards, commissions and task forces and have been elected to the City Council. Dozens of Scottsdale city employees have also completed Scottsdale Leadership.

A volunteer committee of Scottsdale Leadership alumni met for eight months via Zoom and email outreach to plan, research and organize the exhibit, creatively and safely producing a commemorative project during the COVID-19 pandemic, the release said.

Visitors to the free exhibit will experience various photographs and insightful quotes from Scottsdale Leadership alumni or recipients of the organization’s prestigious Drinkwater Community Leadership Award.

Individuals were selected from among then nearly 1,300 graduates and award recipients for their role in helping create or implement the specific milestone issue or project depicted as either a community volunteer or business/civic leader.

Scottsdale Leadership was organized in 1986, as a program of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. Scottsdale Leadership’s mission is to inform, inspire and empower leaders to champion and strengthen the interests of the community with core values of engagement, inclusion, connection, courage and stewardship, noted the release.

Additionally, the Chamber, the city of Scottsdale and Scottsdale Community College were instrumental in ensuring the success of Scottsdale Leadership during its first 10 years, according to the release.

Scottsdale Leadership became an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1996. With 1,252 men and women having completed the annual program (in 35 classes), the organization serves in hundreds of civic, charitable, educational, faith-based, veterans, business and governmental volunteer leadership positions throughout Scottsdale, the region and state.

Scottsdale Leadership honors individuals annually with these prestigious awards: The Herb Drinkwater Community Leadership Award, the Frank Hodges Alumni Achievement Award and the Bill Jenkins Youth Leadership Award.

The Milestones & Memories exhibit was designed by Lindsay Lamonica LLC, installation by Thomas Printworks, and is  possible through the generous support of the city of Scottsdale and Scottsdale Leadership Alumni.