Each year the Illinois State University Alumni Association recognizes individuals who personify the University’s tradition as an environment for excellence. Hear in the video above from this year’s nominators why it is important to recognize outstanding alumni and how recipients reacted when learning they received the award.

Established in 1971 with just one award, the program has grown to five award categories. The awards—Outstanding Young Alumni AwardAlumni Achievement AwardE. Burton Mercier Service AwardDistinguished Alumni Award, and the Senator John Maitland Jr. Commitment to Education Award—are presented annually at the Founders Day Convocation.

Recipients are honored by the association at a recognition dinner where they have the opportunity to speak and formally accept the award. The dinner is also the time that the association will present the Future Alumni Leader Award to a current Illinois State undergraduate or graduate student.

Those interested in nominating can visit the Alumni Awards site for the complete process. Nominations for the 2019 Alumni Awards are due May 31, 2018. Questions can be directed to Jamie Sennett ’99, director of Alumni Relations.