Alumni Service Award

This award recognizes service as a volunteer to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, or faculty, or to the University of Minnesota Alumni Association or any of its constituent groups.

Nominations are submitted to the Alumni Association CEO for endorsement before they move on to the All-University Honors Committee, the University President, and the Board of Regents.

Nomination Deadline

At least 6 months before the award is to be presented.

September 18, 2009
November 13, 2009
January 22, 2010
March 12, 2010
April 23, 2010

Who is eligible?

The nominee must be graduate or a former student of the University; cannot be a current member of faculty or staff, or a sitting Regent, but retirees are eligible. An individual who has received an honorary degree, outstanding achievement award, University of Minnesota award of distinction, or alumni service award may be considered for another award.

The nominator must be an alumnus or alumna of the University or a current member of the faculty or staff.

Selection Criteria

Please see nomination procedure.

Selection Process

The nomination should be reviewed by an appropriate committee of the recommending unit, if one exists. The original recommendation, accompanied by supporting documentation as set out below, and the report of the reviewing committee of the relevant unit, should then be forwarded to the Senate All-University Honors Committee. The process takes approximately six months.

The Senate All-University Honors Committee may refer any recommendation back to the nominating unit for further consideration or for additional information.

Nomination Procedure

Letter from nominator -- should focus on personal knowledge of the nominee's distinction in their field, profession, and/or public or volunteer service.

Dean, Chancellor or Vice President Support -- As appropriate (indicated by the cover letter to the nomination.)

Nomination Summary -- 50 words or less, restricted to outlining the nominee's accomplishments.

Outstanding Accomplishments -- one page summary highlighting the individual's accomplishments.

Biographical Information -- to include nominee's address, telephone/fax number, date of birth, education, employment, professional and public and/or volunteer service.

Supporting Letters - three ideally from both from the nominee's peers inside and outside the University; again, these are in addition to the letter from the nominator and should focus on personal knowledge as outlined above.

Number of Copies -- 30 of each item, collated, stapled and clipped (no binders and folders).

Each nomination must contain full biographical information on the nominee and must document in detail the particular achievements that are the basis of the award. Formats for nomination are provided in the discussion of each type of award. Favorable recommendations of the Senate All-University Honors Committee are forwarded to the president with the full file, including all supporting documentation, and a brief summary of the committee's conclusions. The Committee may reject a nomination either for lack of merit or for lack of adequate documentation. In the latter case the nomination may be revised and re-submitted.

Board of Regents policy requires that no disclosure is to be made to the nominee, or persons other than those writing supporting letters, until a decision is forthcoming.

Submit nominations, including contact information, to

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association CEO for endorsement:

Margaret Sughrue Carlson
CEO, University of Minnesota Allumni Association
c/o Anne Sumangil
McNamara Alumni Center, Suite #200
200 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455.

For additional information about this award go to: http://www1.umn.edu/usenate/alluhonors/alum.html

Previous recipients of this award.