Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the Texas State Alumni Association's most prestigious award. Recipients must be distinguished in his or her chosen business, profession or life work on a national or international level and must have received previous recognition from his or her contemporaries on a national or international level. Award recipients are Texas State graduates whose leadership serves as an example to all members of the Texas State community.

Click here to submit your nominations.

Click here to view the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners.

Click here to view previous Distinguished Alumni Award Winners.

The first Texas State Distinguished Alumni Award was presented in 1959 to then Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, who later served as thirty-sixth President of the United States of America. Click here for more information.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus Award an individual:

1. Must be distinguished and prominent in his or her chosen business, profession or life work on a national or international level. Recognition from contemporaries on one or more of these levels will enhance the nomination.
2. Must be a graduate of the University.
3. Must be a person of such integrity, stature, demonstrated ability and renown that the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the University will take pride in, and be inspired by, his or her recognition.
 

Automatic Ineligibility

An individual shall be ruled ineligible to receive the award if any of the following conditions shall prevail at the time the Awards Committee meets to consider nominations:

1. If he or she is a candidate for any public office.
2. If he or she is a member of the Awards Committee.
 

Methods of Nominating Possible Recipients

Any individual who meets the eligibility requirements may be nominated by any of the following individuals or groups:

1. Any active member of the Alumni Association
2. Any member of the University faculty, staff or student body
3. The Awards Committee itself

Forms for submitting nominations may be obtained from the Alumni Relations Office. Nominations must be received by the Alumni Relations office no later than six (6) months prior to the presentation of the award. Information about the award and the procedure of nomination shall be published in at least one issue of the Association publication, included in mailings or emails to area alumni chapters, emailed to faculty, staff and students and the like.

Number of Awards

The Awards Committee shall confer the award on no more than six (6) individuals in any one year. The award does not have to be conferred if suitable nominations are not submitted.

Method of Selection

The Awards Committee shall consist of:

1. The President of the University
2. The Alumni Association Executive Committee
3. The Chair of the Faculty Senate
4. Three or more members of the Board of Directors appointed by the current President of the Alumni Association.

The Awards Committee shall base its decision on the following:

The Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus Award honors Texas State graduates who are distinguished and prominent in their chosen business, profession or life work on a national or international level. Recognition from their contemporaries at one of those levels enhances the nomination. Recipients are of such integrity, stature, demonstrated ability and renown that the faculty, staff, students and alumni of Texas State take pride in and area inspired by their recognition.

The Awards Committee shall have full responsibility for reviewing the nominations, establishing the eligibility of the nominees and deciding who shall receive the awards upon the majority vote of the total membership of the committee.

The Director of Alumni Relations shall be charged with accepting, filing and presenting all bonafide nominations. Once an individual has been nominated and found to be eligible, his or her name shall be continued in nomination for a period of three years. Individuals may be re-nominated after this time.

The Awards Committee may, at its sole discretion, transfer any nominee for one award to a more appropriate award.

Time and Place of Presentation

The Executive Committee of the Alumni Association shall determine the time and place for the formal presentation of the award. If possible, the award is presented during Homecoming for the preceding year.

Symbol of Award

Each award shall consist of a plaque or other symbol approved by the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association.