Alumni Awards Nominations Closed
The annual Alumni Awards program is one of CU Boulder's longest-standing traditions – and it can't happen without you!
Each year, we recognize the accomplishments of some of our most inspirational alumni, faculty, staff and students. But first, we need you to tell us about these amazing Forever Buffs.
2020 Alumni Awards Selection Timeline
Nov. 11, 2019: The nomination window opens for alumni and the campus community. The 2020 Alumni Award nominations are open to all CU Boulder alumni, faculty, staff and students.
May 29, 2020: Deadline for nominations to be submitted. Only nominees submitted by 11:59 p.m. MST on May 29, 2020 will be considered.
June 1, 2020: Nomination submissions are presented to the selection committee for review.
June 18, 2020: Committee selects 2020 Alumni Award recipients.
Early July 2020: Alumni Award winners and nominators are notified by email that they are winners and invited to the Alumni Awards ceremony. Nominators of candidates that were not selected also will be notified, but nominees that did not win will not.
Mid-August 2020: Formal announcement will be made naming 2020 Alumni Award winners. Winners will be featured on the Alumni Association website and other platforms to share the news with the campus community.
October 22, 2020: 91st Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony
George Norlin Award
The George Norlin Award recognizes outstanding alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their chosen field of endeavor and a devotion to the betterment of society and their community.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
- Comprehensiveness of the application
- Outstanding professional accomplishments
- Exceptional devotion to the betterment of society and community
Kalpana Chawla Award
This award has been presented since 1982 to recognize outstanding career achievement, as well as significant contributions to the community and/or the University, within fifteen years of graduation from CU. Following her February 1, 2003, death aboard the space shuttle Columbia, it was renamed to honor Kalpana Chawla(MAero’86, PhD’88) and her impressive career as a scientist and astronaut.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
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Comprehensiveness of the application
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Outstanding career achievement
- Significant contributions to the community and/or the university
Alumni Recognition Award
The Alumni Recognition Award honors CU Boulder alumni who celebrate the Forever Buffs tenets of connecting, contributing and celebrating their CU pride through their extraordinary service to CU Boulder.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
- Comprehensiveness of the application
- Extraordinary service to the university
- Extraordinary service to the Alumni Association
- Impact on the University of Colorado Boulder
Forever Buffs Student Award
The Forever Buffs Student Award honors CU Boulder students who demonstrate the Forever Buffs tenets of connecting, contributing and celebrating their CU pride through extraordinary service to the university.
Award Requirements:
- Student must be in good academic standing with the university.
- Only current CU Boulder students are eligible to receive the Forever Buff Award. Students must be attending CU Boulder during the Fall 2019 semester to be eligible.
- Nominees must also be able to attend the Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception in the Glenn Miller Ballroom on the CU Boulder campus Thursday, Nov. 7 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
- Comprehensiveness of the application.
- Deomonstrated leadership on campus or the community.
- Extraordinary service to the university.
- Impact on the CU Boulder campus community.
- Demonstrated pride in CU Boulder.
Robert L. Stearns Award
The Stearns Award was initiated in 1953, the year of the resignation of Robert L. Stearns (A&S’14) as the sixth president of the University. He had presided over CU since 1939. The award recognizes members of the faculty and staff for extraordinary achievement or service in any one or combination of the following areas: teaching, service to the University, work with students, research or off-campus service. Award winners receive a medal.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
- Comprehensiveness of the application
- Outstanding teaching (if applicable)
- Extraordinary service to the university
- Exemplary work with students
- Significant research (if applicable)
- Off-campus service to the community
- Impact on the University of Colorado Boulder
Leanne Skupa-Lee Award
This award has been presented since 1984. The Leanne Skupa-Lee Award recognizes effective and passionate volunteers who serve the University of Colorado and the CU Boulder Alumni Association. It celebrates extraordinary commitment, dedication and service to the advancement of our institution and its mission.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
- Comprehensiveness of the application
- Outspoken advocate for the University of Colorado
- Effective and passionate volunteer working directly to support alums, students, faculty and/or staff
