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Home Distinguished Alumni Awards Distinguished Alumni Awards Nomination Information

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS NOMINATION INFORMATION

Recognizing Our Alumni Successes

The University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee—which includes members of our Alumni Leadership Council—aims to recognize a broad range of qualified candidates who embody the university’s core values by honoring them with Distinguished Alumni Awards. The committee selects an annual recipient in each of the following categories:

  • The Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award recognizes graduates or former students who demonstrate significant accomplishments in their business or professional lives as well as distinguished service to their university, community, state, or nation.
  • The Distinguished Alumni Service Award recognizes graduates or former students who demonstrate specific and meritorious service to their university, community, state, or nation.
  • The Distinguished Alumni Hickerson Recognition Award recognizes graduates or former students for outstanding contributions to their alma mater. This award is named in honor of the late Loren Hickerson (40BA), the university’s first full-time alumni director and an ardent UI champion.
  • The Distinguished Recent Graduate Award recognizes graduates or former students, age 40 or younger at their time of nomination, for significant accomplishments in their business or professional lives as well as for distinguished service to their university, community, state, or nation.
  • The Distinguished Friend of the University Award recognizes individuals who are not alumni for specific and meritorious service that enhances and advances the university.
  • The Distinguished Faculty Award recognizes retired or former faculty for significant achievements and for specific meritorious service that enhances and advances the university. Nominees need not be alumni.
  • The Distinguished “Forevermore” Staff Award recognizes retired or former staff for significant achievements and for specific meritorious service that enhances and advances the university. Nominees need not be alumni.

NOMINATION FORMAT

Graduates, former students, faculty, staff, and friends of the University of Iowa may make nominations (the Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee reserves the right to reassign nomination categories, if deemed applicable). Nominators should submit the following:

  • Cover letter that states the nomination category, endorses the candidate’s qualifications, and highlights how the nominee embodies the UI's core values
  • Nominee's vita or professional résumé, including a current address
  • Three or more letters of recommendation from other individuals who support the nomination
  • Any additional information that would further substantiate the nomination

EXCLUSION FROM ELIGIBILITY

Current members of the University of Iowa Center for Advancement’s board of directors and staff, members of the Alumni Leadership Council, and current full‑time university faculty and staff are not eligible to receive these awards. Individuals currently in a position of elected or appointed office or known to be launching a campaign are also not eligible to receive these awards. All nominees must be living at the time of nomination and cannot have received a University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Award in the same category in the past. Nominations by active Awards Committee members will not be reviewed until the member’s term has concluded on the committee. The Awards Committee reserves the right to consider and approve exceptions to the exclusions from eligibility.

AWARDS TIMELINE

Nominations for the 2025 awards will open in May 2024 and close on January 31, 2025. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee will meet in April 2025 to review all nominations and make the annual selections. Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented at a special ceremony on the Friday before the University of Iowa's Homecoming (October 2025).

MAIL NOMINATIONS TO:

The University of Iowa Center for Advancement
Distinguished Alumni Awards
One West Park Road
Iowa City, Iowa 52244

For more information, email Nici Bontrager or call 319-467-3607.

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Kid-friendly Iowa Homecoming Festivities You Won't Want to Miss

From the music and fanfare of the homecoming parade, to a ride on the Hawkeye Express before the big Iowa football game, there is plenty for kids to enjoy during homecoming at Iowa. There is fun to be had for Iowa fans of all ages?including the youngest of the Hawkeye flock?during University of Iowa Homecoming. Dress the family in black and gold, and book it to Iowa City for these kid-friendly homecoming festivities on October 18-19, 2019. Children line the Iowa Homecoming parade route in downtown Iowa City to collect candy, see Herky, listen to the Hawkeye Marching Band, and more. IOWA HOMECOMING PARADE Kids won't want to miss the annual Iowa homecoming parade. From floats and freebies to Herky and the Hawkeye Marching Band, this is the ultimate kid-approved homecoming event. The parade begins at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, but arrive early to park and pinpoint the perfect spectating spot. The parade draws an estimated 15,000 Hawkeyes from around the world?including alumni and friends, fans, and families. Everyone is invited to stop by the Alumni Engagement Tent before the parade for Hawkeye freebies and information about how to stay connected to the University of Iowa. The tent will be open from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on the Pentacrest. Homecoming Parade Parking and Travel Expect road closures along and around the parade route, located in the heart of downtown Iowa City. Paid parking is available in nearby parking ramps. To avoid tricky travel, park on campus and ride the free CAMBUS into downtown Iowa City. Young children will also love riding a big, black and gold bus. Grab-And-Go Dinners Iowa City is an oasis for any foodie family. Skip the waits before and after the parade, and instead feast on a grab-and-go dinner from more than a dozen downtown restaurants. From pizza to froyo, savor the local flavor while watching the Hawkeye fanfare. See the list of participating restaurants on the homecoming parade webpage. The Iowa Memorial Union will host a free family open house after the parade. Parking may be available in the IMU ramp located across the street. IMU FAMILY OPEN HOUSE Why sit in parade traffic when you can play instead? After the parade, swing by the Iowa Memorial Union's Family Open House at 125 N. Madison St. This family-friendly frenzy features live music, a black-and-gold balloon play area, coloring, snacks, and more. This event is free and open to all families, but an adult must attend with children. With appearances by Herky and the Iowa Spirit Squads, including the iconic I-O-W-A flags, the Iowa Homecoming football game is sure to be a hit with kids in your family. IOWA HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME The Iowa Hawkeyes will face the Purdue Boilermakers in the 2019 Homecoming game. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, inside historic Kinnick Stadium. Youth tickets are available at a discounted rate. All fans, regardless of age, need a ticket to enter Kinnick Stadium. Experience one of many family-friendly Hawkeye game day amenities: Hawkeye Express Hop aboard the Hawkeye Express, and ride a black and gold train straight to Kinnick Stadium. Round-trip tickets are $15 (cash only) with children 12 and younger riding for free. Pregame Hawkeye Marching Band Concert Fans and their families can enjoy a free pre-show from the Hawkeye Marching Band in the renovated recreation building across from the stadium. The homecoming show starts at 9:45 a.m. Krause Family Plaza Tailgate This is the ultimate family-friendly tailgate with a kid zone, photo booth, and giveaways. Families can eat, shop, and dance. It's all here. Come early to see the Hawk Walk (when football player enter Kinnick Stadium) and snag autographs with coaches and athletes. For more details, including parking, travel, and stadium information, visit the Iowa football game day website. Don't miss any of the 2019 homecoming festivities! Check out Iowa Magazine's University of Iowa Homecoming Guide to learn about Hawkeye homecoming traditions and review local recommendations for things to see, eat, and do while in Iowa City.

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