Outstanding Achievement Award

This award may be conferred only on graduates, or former students of the University, who have attained unusual distinction in their chosen fields or professions or in public service, and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership on a community, state, national, or international level. The candidate's education at the University should represent a significant portion of his or her total postsecondary education. Outstanding Achievement Awards are not awarded to encourage or reward contributions to the University.

Nomination Deadline
At least 6 months before the award is presented. (For in December, all materials should be submitted in May). For presentation of awards in May, all materials should be submitted in October of the previous year.) Later submissions will be considered, but without any guarantee of timely decision.

August 22, 2008
September 12, 2008
November 14, 2008
January 16, 2009
February 13, 2009
March 13, 2009
April 17, 2009

Who is eligible?

The nominee cannot be a current member of faculty or staff, or a sitting Regent, but retirees are eligible.

Selection Criteria

See Nomination Procedures.

Selection Process

The college honors committee forwards its recommendations to the Senate All-University Honors Committee. A nomination approved by the Senate All-University Honors Committee is submitted to the President and, finally, to the Board of Regents for approval.

Nomination Procedure

Letter from Nominator -- should focus on personal knowledge of the nominee's career accomplishments and reputation (one page is acceptable).
Dean or Chancellor Support -- As appropriate (indicated by the cover letter to the nomination.)
Nomination Summary -- 50 words or less, restricted to outlining the nominee's accomplishments (to see sample citations, Click Here).
Outstanding Accomplishments -- one page summary highlighting the individual's accomplishments.
Biographical Information -- not to exceed 5 pages and to include address, telephone/fax number, date and place of birth, education, employment, membership in professional societies, honors and awards, professional and public service, consulting activities, etc.
Selected Publications of Nominee -- not to exceed 5 pages
Supporting Letters -- 3 ideally from the nominee's peers in and outside the University; again, these should focus on personal knowledge as above.
Number of Copies -- 25 of each item; collated, stapled, and clipped (no binders or folders).

Submit nominations, including contact information, to

Submit to-- honors committee of the appropriate college, if one exists, and if not, to the All-University Honors Committee, c/o Vickie Courtney, University Senate, 427 Morrill Hall, 100 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455.

What's inside