Nevada Alumni Association awards
Each year, the Nevada Alumni Association honors outstanding alumni and friends who have demonstrated remarkable professional achievement and dedication to their community and the University. Submission of nominations in any or all of the categories described below is encouraged.
Deadline: All submissions are due by 11:59 P.M. PST on May 1 annually.
Nomination Form. Submit your nomination online via our Award Form or by calling (775) 784-6620.
If you need additional information please call (775) 784-6620.
Candidate nomination and award criteria
The following criteria applies to all awards, with specific criteria listed below each award name.
- Must be alumnus. An alumnus is defined as someone who has completed at least six credits at the University of Nevada, Reno.
- Does not need membership. Membership in the Nevada Alumni Association or an alumni chapter is not required for nomination.
- Must meet submission deadline. No candidate will be considered unless nominated before the deadline.
- No active political candidacy. No political candidate will be considered in the year in which he/she is a candidate for political office.
- Alumni Association and committee members not eligible. Unless otherwise noted, officers of the Nevada Alumni Association, elected members of the Nevada Alumni Council and Awards Nominating Committee members are not eligible for nomination while holding office.
- Number of awards. A candidate can only be a recipient of any given award once, except for prior recipients of the Certificates of Appreciation, Outstanding Alumni Service or Honorary Alumni Awards. They are eligible for each award.
- Candidates may be moved into other categories. The Awards Nominating Committee can move candidates into categories other than the one in which they were nominated if the committee feels it is appropriate.
- Award recipients may not be selected each year. Whether an award recipient will be selected in any given year is at the sole discretion of the Awards Nominating Committee.
- Other candidates. For any award, excluding Outstanding Chapter of the Year, the Awards Nominating Committee may consider any nominated candidate, a former candidate not selected, or any other person who the committee deems qualified.
- Validity of award. With the exception of Chapter of the Year nominations, once an individual has been nominated for an award, the nomination is valid for a total of two years.
Award descriptions
The Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award recipient must be an alumnus or alumna of the University who has rendered special and outstanding service to the University or by personal achievement, has brought distinction to the University. No more than one recipient will be selected in any one year.
The Community Service Award recipient must be a graduate of the University and demonstrate an unyielding dedication to community service, and to improving the lives of others through one or more of the following: leadership, social responsibility, mentorship and/or being a change agent. No more than one recipient will be selected in any one year.
To be considered for the Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award, it is highly recommended that the chapter demonstrate the following:
- A full calendar of events that include:
- Periodic or regular social and/or networking events.
- At least one major fundraiser.
- At least two chapter business meetings.
- Solid membership growth.
- A committed core group of officers.
- Volunteer support for Nevada Alumni Association activities.
- Submit chapter updates for the Nevada Silver and Blue alumni magazine.
Must be alumni of the University within the past 10 years, have outstanding records of distinguished career accomplishments, and/or whose dedication, commitment and service to the Nevada Alumni Association have significantly enhanced alumni programming and initiatives at the University. Due to the nature of this award, officers of the Nevada Alumni Association, elected members of the Nevada Alumni Council and Awards Nominating Committee members are indeed eligible for this award while holding office. No more than two recipients will be selected in any one year.
Exceptional Achievement Award recipients must be alumni of the University who have outstanding records of distinguished career accomplishments, commitment to service complemented by a history of outstanding contributions to their profession and organizations. No more than five recipients will be selected in any one year.
A foundation and/or non-profit or for-profit corporation who receives the Silver and Blue Appreciation Award must be an organization whose support, service and partnership of/with the University has significantly enriched the advancement of the University and contributed to its reputation as a leading institution of higher education.
The Awards Nominating Committee may consider any nominated foundation, for-profit and/or non-profit corporation, a foundation, for-profit and/or non-profit corporation not previously selected, or any other foundation, for-profit and/or non-profit corporation who the committee deems qualified.
No more than two recipients will be selected in any one year.
University Service Award recipients must be alumni or friends of the University whose dedication, commitment and service to the Nevada Alumni Association and/or University have significantly enriched the advancement of the institution, contributed to its reputation as a leading institution of higher education and/or enhanced alumni programming.
- No more than two recipients will be selected in any one year.
- Cannot be a current employee of the University.
- Due to the nature of this award, members of the Nevada Alumni Council and Awards Nominating Committee are indeed eligible for this award while holding office.