Purpose

The Alumni Achievement Award, established in 1957, is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of the University of Illinois. The award is presented to those alumni who have attained outstanding success and national or international distinction in their chosen profession or life’s work, and whose accomplishments reflect admirably on or bring honor to their alma mater.

Criteria

• Nomination is required. Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination.
• Nominations will be considered active for five years.
• Nominee must hold an earned degree from the University of Illinois.
• Nominee must be an individual who is highly distinguished nationally or internationally for his/her chosen business, profession or life’s work.
• Nominee must be a person of such stature, demonstrated ability and renown that alumni, students, faculty and staff of the University of Illinois will take pride in and be inspired by his/her recognition.
• Nominee must be an individual who, in deed or action, reflects the importance of his/her education at the University of Illinois.
• Previous recipients are not eligible for reconsideration.
• Current members of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees; the UIAA Board of Directors; the Alumni Association Awards and Recognition Committee; and relatives, employers or employees thereof are not eligible for consideration.
• Current faculty, staff and other employees of the University of Illinois or the UI Alumni Association are not eligible for consideration.
• Persons currently holding or running for elected state or federal public office in Illinois are not eligible for consideration.
• The award may not be conferred in absentia; however, it may be granted posthumously.

Nominate Deserving Alumni Today

Recipients must be nominated for the award. Working from these nominations, the Alumni Association Awards and Recognition Committee will select the recipients. The awards will be presented at Commencement or an Alumni Association event. Please complete this online form to submit a nomination.

Please be advised: Should the committee determine the nominee would be more appropriately honored by means of a different award, the committee reserves the right to consider each nominee for other, more suitable recognition.

If you have questions, feel free to contact us at advancement@uis.edu or by phone at 217-206-6058.

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Alumni Achievement Award Past Recipients