Recognition of outstanding achievement starts with an outstanding nominator.
Alumni Awards Nomination
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Who should we recognize next?
University of Alberta graduates lead with purpose. Help us continue the tradition of celebrating their significant contributions and the amazing difference they make in the world.
You can nominate a friend, family member, colleague or former classmate for an Alumni Award in one of five categories:
- Distinguished Alumni Award
- Honour Award
- Horizon Award
- Service Award
- Innovation Award
- Sports Wall of Fame (nominate through U of A Athletics)
You do not have to be a U of A graduate to submit a nomination.
Nomination Deadline: 11:59 p.m. MST on December 15
Eligibility
- Nominees must have earned a degree at the University of Alberta. This includes graduates of Faculty of Extension certificate programs and Office of Postgraduate Medical Education programs who graduated after 2013.
- Current University of Alberta faculty and staff who are also alumni are eligible.
- Current or recent (i.e. past two years) members of Alumni Council and committees (including public members) and members of their families are not eligible to be nominated. Exceptions may be made where an award is time-sensitive.
- Members of the University of Alberta's Board of Governors are not eligible to be nominated during their term.
- Members of political office are not eligible to receive an Alumni Award during their term. Once the individual no longer holds an elected or appointed position in political office they are eligible.
- Past Alumni Award recipients are only eligible in categories other than the category in which they have already been given an award. In addition, their subsequent achievements must be substantially different from those for which their first award was given.
- Alumni who have received an Honorary Degree from the University of Alberta are not eligible.
- Alumni Awards are not awarded posthumously. Nominees that are selected by the committee to receive an award must be alive at the time of notification (typically in late May) to accept or decline it.
- Alumni Horizon Award nominees must be 40 years of age or younger at the nomination deadline (December 15). Nominations are considered for 2 years; in order to be eligible for reconsideration in the second year, Horizon nominees must still be 40 years of age or younger at the nomination deadline (December 15) of the second year of consideration.
- A group or team must have a membership with at least 50 per cent U of A alumni to be considered for an Alumni Innovation Award. In all other categories, groups are not permitted to include non-alumni individuals.
Nomination Instructions
Ready to nominate someone who has achieved the outstanding? Follow these steps to get started.
An Alumni Awards nomination consists of two parts:
- Nomination form.
- Two (2) letters of support.
Please read the instructions in the sections below carefully before you begin your nomination.
Tell Us Who They Are
Your nomination package should clearly define the achievements of the nominee. You'll include details about how you know them, their background as it relates to their accomplishments, what makes them unique and exceptional and how their achievements meet the criteria of the chosen award category. Include information about their personal interests, other awards received, charity work, community involvement or qualities that make them inspirational if it helps illustrate how they stand out from their peers.
Diversity Is Welcome
The U of A strives to create an equitable and inclusive environment and culture for all members of its community. Nominations that reflect the diversity of our graduates are welcome and encouraged.
Avoid Jargon
Please avoid using profession-specific jargon in your nomination. Target your writing toward a general audience to ensure it is understood by nomination reviewers from a variety of backgrounds.
Group Nominations
Nominating a large group (5+ nominees)? Please email alumni.awards@ualberta.ca before you begin.
Leave It Out
- Achievements that occurred before the nominee graduated.
- Lists of academic publications or conference presentations.
- News articles, links to websites, photographs, videos, resumes or curriculum vitaes, or any additional attachments.
View a Sample Nomination Form
Letters of Support
Collect Two Letters and sign FOIP Agreements
Two (2) letters of support are required for a nomination. The nominator cannot write one of the letters of support. Collect the letters from your supporters and upload them as part of your nomination. There is a section at the end of the online nomination form to upload files (PDF, Word). You will also need to collect signed FOIP agreements from each supporter and upload with the letters. Download the Support Letter Guidelines & FOIP Agreement document »
Who to Ask
Ideal supporters are people who can personally comment on the specific achievements, contributions and the impact of the actions of the person nominated.
Worried about how to ask for a letter of support? See the Sample Request for Letter of Support »
Intended to Support
Letters of support are intended to support and add broader detail to the information provided in the answers to the nomination form questions.
Specifically Written
Letters of support must be written specifically for the Alumni Awards program. Letters of support written for other awards, honours or scholarships are not accepted.
Leave It Out
Only two letters of support will be reviewed per nomination. If you collect more than two letters of support, please choose only the best two to include. You will not be able to attach additional letters (over two) to your nomination, and they will not be accepted by email.
View a Sample Letter of Support
Looking for more submission information or answers to FAQs? View the How to: Submit a Nomination to the Alumni Awards document.
Note: Additional materials (news articles, CVs, additional letters of support, lists of publications, photographs) are not accepted as part of an Alumni Award nomination and will be removed if submitted.
Must be received by 11:59 p.m. MST on December 15.
Questions? Contact Us
For more information on the Alumni Awards program, eligibility, nominations for groups or teams, or how to complete a nomination, please get in touch.
Email: alumni.awards@ualberta.ca
Phone: 780-492-7723