Distinguished Alumni & Young Alumni Awards
The Boston University Alumni Association presents the Distinguished Alumni Awards and the Young Alumni Awards as a way to recognize alumni who have contributed to their profession, community, and Boston University in extraordinary ways. The awards program is a way to foster connections among alumni and the university, and to raise awareness of the accomplishments of fellow Terriers and create a sense of pride for alumni.
Distinguished Alumni Awards Criteria
In recognition of individuals whose exemplary accomplishments, service and commitment have brought credit to Boston University, their communities and their professions. These extraordinary alumni have been recognized for their outstanding achievements in invention and research, the arts, community leadership, and national and international affairs. Recipients must display exceptional human and ethical qualities.
- Must have obtained a degree from Boston University or completed a sufficient number of hours to have established a meaningful connection with Boston University..
- It is generally recommended that nominees be honored by their school/college prior to being considered for this award, but it is not compulsory.
- Current Boston University employees, trustees or University Advisory Board members, and members of the Boston University Alumni Council are not eligible for consideration.
- Relatives or employers of members of the selection committee are not eligible.
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
- Nominees who may be perceived to have a conflict of interest (i.e. grant funders, grant recipients, etc.) with the institution will not be considered.
- The award is not presented in absentia but may be presented posthumously to a selected recipient. In exceptional circumstances, the committee may accept nominations of alumni who have passed away within the last year.
- A nominee who is unable to accept the award in a given year will be invited to accept the following year, at the discretion of the committee. If they are unable to accept the award in the second year, they will remain in consideration for subsequent years but will not be automatically selected.
- All nominations will remain active/in consideration for three years.
- Political candidates may not be selected or honored in a year in which they are actively pursuing election or re-election.
- Previous recipients are not eligible for reconsideration.
- Awards may be withdrawn for any cause that reflects poorly upon the University or the Alumni Association. Awards not yet presented will be addressed by the selection committee. Awards already presented will be addressed by the sitting Executive Board of the BUAC.
- The decision of the Awards Selection Committee will be provided to the President of Boston University for the President’s concurrence prior to notification of awardees.
Young Alumni Awards Criteria
In recognition of individuals who have graduated within the last ten years and are 35 years of age or younger, whose exemplary accomplishments since graduation, service and commitment have brought credit to Boston University. Recipients must display exceptional human and ethical qualities and be identifiable as an emerging leader through professional and/or community achievements.
- Must have obtained a degree from Boston University or completed a sufficient number of hours to have established a meaningful connection with Boston University.
- Current Boston University employees, trustees or University Advisory Board members, and members of the Boston University Alumni Council are not eligible for consideration.
- Relatives or employers of members of the selection committee are not eligible.
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
- Nominees who may be perceived to have a conflict of interest (e.g., grant funders, grant recipients, etc.) with the institution will not be considered.
- The award is not presented in absentia but may be presented posthumously to a selected recipient. In exceptional circumstances, the committee may accept nominations of alumni who have passed away within the last year.
- A nominee who is unable to accept the award in a given year, will be invited to accept the following year, at the discretion of the committee. If they are unable to accept the award in the second year, they will remain in consideration for subsequent years but will not be automatically selected.
- All nominations will remain active/in consideration for three years.
- Political candidates may not be selected or honored in a year in which they are actively pursuing election or re-election.
- Previous recipients are not eligible for reconsideration for a Young Alumni Award, but may be considered for the Alumni Award at a later date.
- Awards may be withdrawn for any cause that reflects poorly upon the University or the Alumni Association. Awards not yet presented will be addressed by the selection committee. Awards already presented will be addressed by the sitting Executive Board of the BUAC.
- The decision of the Awards Selection Committee will be provided to the President of Boston University for the President’s concurrence prior to notification of awardees.
The nomination process for the Boston University Alumni Awards involves all of us. It encompasses a broad canvassing of alumni, administrators, and faculty. Wide participation is critical to the Alumni Awards selection process. Nominations for Alumni Awards are open. These Awards are presented during Alumni Weekend.
Previous Boston University Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni Award Recipients.
