Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes and pays tribute to alumni who have demonstrate leadership and stand-out from their peers. They serve as inspirational UNBC role models and standards of achievement to which others can aspire.

Nominations are now closed.

Any questions can be directed to alumni@unbc.ca.

Nominee criteria

Nominees must demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:

  • Significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic well-being of society.
  • Significant achievement with over the nominee’s career, or in their profession, discipline, or field.
  • Demonstrated leadership and recognition by colleagues, professional associations, and other organizations.
  • Outstanding volunteer contributions including leadership, membership, or participation with charity or community organizations.
  • Community or peer recognition for the nominee's philanthropic involvement in civic, charitable and/or social causes.
  • Consideration also given for how the nominee has made contributions to the University's success, reputation, and impact on students and fellow alumni, financial, or other support.

Eligibility requirements

All alumni are eligible with the expectation of those who:

  • currently hold political office at a local, provincial/state, or national level;
  • are members of the Alumni Council;
  • are members of the UNBC Senate;
  • are members of the UNBC Board of Governors;
  • or have received an honorary degree from the UNBC—the University’s highest honour.

Nomination process

The Office of Alumni Relations administers the Distinguished Alumni Awards. Confidentiality is assured; nominees are not informed of their nomination or status by UNBC unless they are selected as a recipient. Nominators may choose to inform nominees that they have been nominated. Unsuccessful nominees will not be contacted. Distinguished Alumni Award nominations will be considered for two years after submission. Nominators are responsible for providing any new information each year as needed.
Nomination packages are evaluated and selected by the members of the UNBC Alumni Council. Award candidates then are reviewed by the Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees and Special Forms and then recommended for final approval by the UNBC Senate. It is at this time the nominator and nominee are informed.

To nominate a UNBC graduate for the distinguished alumni award you will need to submit a nomination package to the Office of Alumni Relations.

  1. Write a nomination letter that includes of summary of the nominee’s achievements and provides a rationale for the nomination. See further information in the Criteria for Consideration below.
  2. Include at least two letters of support from additional professional or community references.
  3. It is recommended to also include additional information to support the nomination such as relevant news/media articles, web links, or a CV.
  4. Complete the nomination form that includes your (the nominator) and the candidates contact information. You must also indicate whether the nominee is aware of the nomination.
  5. You can submit the nominations documents via the webform or email to alumni@unbc.ca with the subject line: Alumni Award Nomination.
  6. The Office of Alumni Relations will acknowledge the receipt of your nomination and keep you informed of its evaluation status.

Criteria for consideration

To create a compelling nomination package, it is crucial to outline the nominee's accomplishments in detail. Provide information about your relationship with the nominee, their background, and how it relates to their achievements. When crafting your nomination letter, consider some of the questions to establish how your nominee stands apart from their peers. Ultimately, how has this UNBC alum gone above and beyond?

Firstly, reflect on how they have gone above and beyond expectations. This could include their professional accomplishments and how they have contributed to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of society.

You may think about their leadership qualities and involvement in professional, volunteer, or community organizations. Recognize any awards, accolades, or recognition they have received from colleagues for their significant impact in their field.

You may also consider their philanthropic efforts and how they have enriched the lives of others through their time, talent, and involvement in civic, charitable, or social causes. Look for any community or peer recognition for their generosity.

These additional details can help illustrate how the nominee stands out from their peers and provide a more complete picture of their character and achievements. By crafting a well-defined and comprehensive nomination package, you can increase the chances of your nominee being recognized for their exceptional accomplishments.