Award Recognition and Criteria
Homecoming Week Awards
Since 1930, the USU Alumni Association has welcomed alumni, students, and community members to celebrate our annual Homecoming Week traditions. Our proudest tradition is honoring Aggies for their service and contributions to Utah State and recognizing those who exemplify outstanding traits of leadership and character. Awards given out during Homecoming Week festivities include: Grand Marshal, Alumni and Young Alumni of the Year, and Alumni Hall of Honor. Award nominations are due June 1.
Grand Marshal Award
This individual is designated to lead the annual USU Homecoming Parade. The Grand Marshal award is presented to an individual, couple or group whose lifetime of achievements and devotion bring recognition to Utah State University and the annual Homecoming activities.
Selection Process:
- Vetted by Alumni Engagement team and USU Advancement Recognition Committee.
- Nomination pool narrowed by Awards Subcommittee of the Alumni Advisory Board.
- Final selection by University President and Vice President for Advancement.
- Notification Process: Honoree will be contacted by Executive Director of the Alumni Association.
Presentation Process: Homecoming Grand Marshal will be presented at the annual Homecoming breakfast/lunch and will lead the Homecoming Parade. The honoree is introduced at halftime of the Homecoming football game.
Alumni of the Year
This award is presented to the individual alum of USU who, in the recent past, has demonstrated outstanding traits of leadership and character to such an extent that it has brought great credit to the recipient and to their alma mater.
Selection Process:
- Vetted by Alumni Engagement team and USU Advancement Recognition Committee.
- Nomination pool narrowed by Awards Subcommittee of the Alumni Advisory Board.
- Final selection by University President and Vice President for Advancement.
- Notification Process: Honoree will be contacted by Executive Director of the Alumni Association.
Presentation Process: Alumni of the Year award will be presented at the annual Homecoming breakfast/lunch. The honoree will be featured in the Homecoming parade and introduced at halftime of the Homecoming football game. football game.
Young Alumni of the Year Award
This award recognizes a graduate or attendee of USU for accomplishments which have brought honor or distinction to the university. The nominee must have graduated or attended USU within the past 20 years and are generally under the age of 40. The recognized accomplishments may be achieved through career, service, or volunteer efforts.
Selection Process:
- Vetted by Alumni Engagement team and USU Advancement Recognition Committee.
- Nomination pool narrowed by Awards Subcommittee of the Alumni Advisory Board.
- Final selection by University President and Vice President for Advancement.
- Notification Process: Honoree will be contacted by Executive Director of the Alumni Association.
Presentation Process: Young Alumni of the Year award will be presented at the annual Homecoming breakfast/lunch. The honoree will be featured in the Homecoming parade and introduced at halftime of the Homecoming football game. football game.
Founders Day/Old Main
Dating from 1888, Old Main is the oldest building on campus and has served as classroom, dormitory, executive residence, gymnasium, gold assay office, auditorium and student rendezvous. The building is still one of the most heavily used classroom buildings on campus. Old Main has withstood war, depression, fire, change and time. It was natural that Utah State University’s premier donor recognition organization should take Old Main Society as its name upon its founding in 1967. The following awards were created to recognize the role of individual Old Main Society members in advancing the mission of Utah State University. Award recipients are recognized at the annual Old Main Society event. Award nominations are due June 1.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest award presented annually by the Utah State University Alumni Association. It is given to alumni who best utilized their knowledge, initiative, and individuality in public service to the university, the public, or their profession. The award should represent a lifetime of such activities, and represents a deep commitment to Utah State.
Selection Process:
- Vetted by USU Advancement Recognition Committee
- Final selection by University President and Vice President for Advancement.
- Notification Process: Honoree will be contacted by the University President or Vice President for Advancement.
Presentation Process: Distinguished Alumni Award is presented at the annual Founders Day/Old Main Society event held on or around March 8, the anniversary of the founding of Utah State University.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is an award that recognizes those who have given exemplary service to university or community. It is given to individuals who best utilized their knowledge, initiative, and individuality in public service to the university, the public, or their profession. The award recipient need not be an alumnus/alumna of Utah State, but they should have a demonstrated interest in supporting USU.
Selection Process:
- Vetted by USU Advancement Recognition Committee.
- Final selection by University President and Vice President for Advancement.
- Notification Process: Honoree will be contacted by the University President or Vice President for Advancement.
Presentation Process: Distinguished Service Awards are presented at the annual Founders Day/Old Main Society event held on or around March 8, the anniversary of the founding of Utah State University.
Spirit of Old Main Award
The Spirit of Old Main Award is the expression of our heritage of education, generosity, and selfless service. It has been created to recognize the role of individuals in advancing Utah State University.
Nomination Process: Recipients must be members of the Old Main Society.
Selection Process:
- Vetted by USU Advancement Recognition Committee
- Final selection by University President and Vice President for Advancement.
- Notification Process: Honoree will be contacted by the University President or Vice President for Advancement.
Presentation Process: The Spirit of Old Main Award is presented at the annual Founders Day/Old Main Society event held on or around March 8, the anniversary of the founding of Utah State University.
New Generation of Old Main Award
New Generation of Old Main Award is presented to an alumnus/alumna 40 years of age or under who has been inducted into the Old Main Society through their accumulated giving to Utah State University. This award recognized those young donors who have made a commitment to philanthropy to Utah State University.
Nomination Process: Recipients must be members of the Old Main Society.
Selection Process:
- Vetted by USU Advancement Recognition Committee
- Final selection by University President and Vice President for Advancement.
- Notification Process: Honoree will be contacted by the University President or Vice President for Advancement.
Presentation Process: New Generation of Old Main Awards are presented at the annual Founders Day/Old Main Society event held on or around March 8, the anniversary of the founding of Utah State University.
Emeriti Old Main Award
The Emeriti Old Main Award is the expression of our heritage of education, generosity, and selfless service. It has been created to recognize the role of retired faculty and staff in advancing Utah State University.
Nomination Process: Recipients must be members of the Old Main Society.
Selection Process:
- Vetted by USU Advancement Recognition Committee
- Final selection by University President and Vice President for Advancement.
- Notification Process: Honoree will be contacted by the University President or Vice President for Advancement.
Presentation Process: Emeriti Old Main Awards are presented at the annual Founders Day/Old Main Society event held on or around March 8, the anniversary of the founding of Utah State University.
Other Alumni Awards
Alumni Merit Citation
Recipients are recognized for excellence in their own field or for a specific achievement, contribution, or service to one's own community, state, nation, or church. Significant personal achievement is also recognized. This award can be awarded at events outside of Logan.
Nomination Deadline: Ongoing
Selection Process: Nominations are forwarded to the full Alumni Advisory Board for approval.
Notification Process: Awardees are to be notified by the Executive Director of Alumni Relations.
Presentation Process: Presentations are made at alumni or university events and are typically presented by an Alumni Relations staff member.
Honorary Degree and Commencement Speaker
To submit a nomination for an Honorary Degree or Commencement Speaker, visit https://www.usu.edu/trustees/nominations.
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