Individual Awards

Since 1943 the University of Arizona Alumni Association has granted awards to recognize alumni, friends, community leaders, faculty, staff, students, and alumni clubs for outstanding achievement and/or distinguished service to the University of Arizona, the Arizona Alumni Association, their communities, and/or their professions. Awards are presented at a special event determined by the nominator and the Arizona Alumni Association.

Eligibility

There are several categories of individual awards. Eligibility is contingent on the specific award. To receive an alumni-only award a nominee must have completed 30 units of credit at the University of Arizona.

Nominations

A nomination may be submitted at any time provided it is at least three months prior to the award presentation date. 

May 15, 2021 is the deadline for Homecoming 2020 award presentations.

After May 15, 2021, no additional nominations for Homecoming awards will be accepted.

A nomination must include the completed application form and required supporting documents. 

Cost to participate: $100 per award to help underwrite processing, citation and award fabrication.

Individual awards nomination form 

Judging

The Arizona Alumni Association Governing Board's awards and recognition committee reviews the nominees for each award and makes the final selection. It is then subject to the approval of the Arizona Alumni Association’s Governing Board.

The Arizona Alumni Association reserves the right to suggest alternate awards based on the nominee’s qualifications.

Notification

Upon approval, award recipients are notified via a congratulatory letter from the Arizona Alumni Association. The nominating individual or organization and the affiliated college are sent a copy of the letter.

Please note: The University of Arizona Alumni Association reserves the right to determine the number of awards given, and to suggest alternate venues for presentation of awards. The Arizona Alumni Association awards and recognition staff members are eager to work with the nominating individual or entity to facilitate an appropriate venue for presentation of the award, including Arizona Alumni Association participation in the award ceremony. We also will assist in disseminating award publicity.

Award categories and criteria for individuals

• Advocacy Award
• Alumni Achievement Award
• Alumni Association Recognition Award
• Bear Down Award
• Distinguished Citizen Award
• Extraordinary Faculty Award
• Global Achievement Award
• Honorary Alumnus/Alumna Award
• Leo B. Hart Humanitarian Award
• Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Service to Students Award
• Outstanding Young Alumni Volunteer Award
• Professional Achievement Award
• Public Service Award
• Sidney S. Woods Alumni Service Award
• Slonaker Award Alumni
• Veterans Award for Distinguished Service
• Wildcat Career Champion
• Young Professional Achievement Award

For more information:

ADVOCACY AWARD – est. 2010

The Advocacy Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary efforts in promoting education and the needs of the University of Arizona. Preference is given to an alumnus or alumna of the University of Arizona but is not a requirement.

Eligibility: alumni-optional
Form of award: plaque

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – est. 1943

The Alumni Achievement Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has attained prominence in his or her field of endeavor and demonstrated outstanding service to the University of Arizona. This award is the highest honor the Arizona Alumni Association can bestow upon alumni, and is presented during commencement ceremonies.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: crystal award
Time of award: May commencement
Number of awards: one (1) at the May commencement ceremony
Deadline: Feb. 1 

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION RECOGNITION AWARD – est. 1964

The Alumni Recognition Award honors individuals for a particular accomplishment.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: letter or plaque

BEAR DOWN AWARD – est. 1986

The Bear Down Award is given to an individual who has performed noteworthy or meritorious service on behalf of the University of Arizona.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: plaque

DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD – est. 1962

The Distinguished Citizen Award is given to a person in recognition of extraordinary service to the public or in nonprofit organizations or outstanding volunteer service. Special consideration is given to an individual who has attended the University of Arizona, but it is not a requirement.

Eligibility: alumni-optional
Form of award: plaque

EXTRAORDINARY FACULTY AWARD – est. 2001

The Extraordinary Faculty Award is presented by the Arizona Alumni Association to a faculty member who brings honor or distinction to the University of Arizona.

Eligibility: faculty-only
Form of award: plaque

GLOBAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – est. 2010

The Global Achievement Award recognizes alumni who have brought honor and credit to the University of Arizona and their profession in the global arena through professional achievement or humanitarian service.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: plaque

HONORARY ALUMNUS/ALUMNA AWARD – est. 1947

The Honorary Alumnus/Alumna Award is given to non-alumni of the University of Arizona who have demonstrated continued interest in and exceptional loyalty and service to the university for 10 years or longer. Particular consideration is given to individuals who have responded to requests for service from the university.

Eligibility: non-alumni
Form of award: plaque

LEO B. HART HUMANITARIAN AWARD – est. 1986

The Leo B. Hart Humanitarian Award is given for outstanding contributions to social justice and welfare.

The award is named after the late Leo Brown Hart, a UArizona alumnus who recognized the plight of children who had migrated west during the Great Depression. Immortalized in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, these children were ostracized as “dumb Okies” and turned away from California schools … until Hart stepped forward. He and 50 migrant children built their own school — referred to as the School at Weedpatch Camp — in a nearby field. Hart then recruited teachers who shared his concern for outcast children. Together, they turned the school from a place for outcasts into an overwhelming success. Many children went on to become judges, professors, and business persons.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: plaque

MARVIN D. “SWEDE” JOHNSON AWARD FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO STUDENTS – est. 2010

The Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Award for Volunteer Service to Students is given to an individual whose personal involvement with University of Arizona students has enhanced the quality of student life at UArizona. Preference is given to an alumnus or alumna of the university, but is not a requirement.

The award is named in honor of Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson, a long-time loyal alumnus who arrived at the University of Arizona in 1946 from Willcox, Arizona. “Swede” became very involved on campus as president of the State Future Farmers of America, AZ Assoc., Sigma Chi Fraternity and Bobcats, Senior Honorary. He also was on the Livestock Judging Team, a member of Alpha Zeta, national agricultural honorary, Chain Gang, junior honorary and the ASUA Board of Control, overseeing the finances for the University Student Body and their organizations. Graduating with a major in Animal Science in 1950, “Swede” never left the university. He served as a graduate assistant in the Athletic Department, director of the Student Union, president of the Alumni Association and UArizona Vice President of University Relations until 1977. “Swede” personified the spirit of volunteerism and youth through his service to the university as a student, employee and an alumnus. The Alumni Building is named in his honor.

Eligibility: alumni-optional
Form of award: plaque

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI VOLUNTEER AWARD – est. 1999

The Outstanding Young Alumni Volunteer Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated continued interest in and loyalty to the University of Arizona for a minimum of two years. The award will be given to an individual who has been out of school less than 10 years. Particular consideration is given to alumni who have taken the initiative to serve effectively on behalf of UArizona and who have responded to requests for service from the university.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: plaque

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – est. 2000

The Professional Achievement Award is given to a person who has attained prominence in his or her field. Service to the university is not a requirement.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: plaque

PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD – est. 1963

The Public Service Award recognizes individuals who are present or past holders of public office. Recipients have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the public. Preference is given to an alumnus or alumna of the University of Arizona but is not a requirement. Service to the university is not a requirement.

Eligibility: alumni-optional
Form of award: plaque

SIDNEY S. WOODS ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD – est. 1941

The Sidney S. Woods Alumni Service Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated unwavering interest in and loyalty to the University of Arizona for a minimum of 5 years. The award is given to an individual who has been out of school for more than 15 years. Particular consideration is given to alumni who have taken the initiative to serve effectively on behalf of UArizona and who have responded to requests for service from the university. 

The award honors the late Sidney S. Woods, a long-time loyal alumnus of the University of Arizona, who graduated in 1939. After a military career as a much decorated ace pilot in World War II, he became prominent in the field of agriculture and also was a member of the Arizona Board of Regents.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: plaque

SLONAKER AWARD – est. 1961

The Slonaker Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated continued interest in and loyalty to the University of Arizona for a minimum of five years. The award is given to an individual who has been out of school less than 15 years. Particular consideration is given to alumni who have taken the initiative to serve effectively on behalf of the university and who also have responded to requests for service from the university. Special consideration will be given to an individual who has received a degree from the university. The award recognizes the late Alter Louis Slonaker, a versatile University of Arizona athlete who lettered four times each in football, basketball, and baseball. He was the graduate manager of athletics from 1922 through 1947 and the dean of men from 1947 through 1963.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: plaque

VETERANS AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE – est. 2015

The University of Arizona Veterans Award for Distinguished Service is given to a University of Arizona alumnus or alumna veteran who has made a positive impact on their local, national, international or veteran community, the University of Arizona or through their active military service as defined below.

To be eligible, the nominee must be a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who received an honorable discharge. In general, active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Science Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey. When submitting the nomination for this award please reference the active full-time military service that qualifies the nominee for this Veterans Award for Distinguished Service.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – est. 2010

The Young Professional Achievement Award recognizes alumni age 40 and under who have attained prominence in their field.

Eligibility: alumni
Form of award: plaque