Awards of Excellence

Learn about our different award categories and how to nominate someone for recognition!

Every year, we gather as a uOttawa community to celebrate our outstanding alumni. With awards recognizing alumni achievement, our alumnus or alumna of the year, commitment to the University, an exceptional young alumni and community service, our annual awards ceremony is an inspiring affair. 

Nomination for the 2024 uOttawa Alumni Association Awards of Excellence are now open until January 20, 2024. Please fill out this form for each person you would like to nominate.  

Eligibility and selection process

Nomination for the 2024 uOttawa Alumni Association Awards of Excellence are now open until January 20, 2024. Please fill out this form for each person you would like to nominate.  

Eligibility

Please note the following eligibility guidelines: 

  • With the exception of the Honorary Member of the Alumni Association award, nominees must be uOttawa graduates. 

  • Graduates of diploma and certificate programs are also eligible. 

  • Posthumous nominations are not accepted. 

  • Nominations for sitting politicians are not accepted. Recipients of uOttawa honorary degrees are not eligible unless they also hold a degree obtained through academic studies. 

  • Current members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors or the uOttawa Board of Governors are not eligible. 

  • Nominations for current uOttawa employees are not eligible.  

  • You cannot nominate yourself. 

Selection process 

The Alumni Relations office administers the Alumni Association Awards of Excellence. Announcements inviting nominations are communicated electronically to all alumni reachable by email and through our website and social media channels.  

Selection is based on the nominee’s accomplishments. The board strives for diversity among award recipients. The letters of support, biography and list of accomplishments should clearly make the link between the nominee and the award for which the nominee is being considered. 

A selection committee appointed by the Alumni Association Board of Directors reviews all nominations and makes recommendations to the Board of the Alumni Association for approval.  

The selection committee includes: 

  • The chair of the Alumni Association’s outreach committee (as chair). 

  • One additional member recommended by the outreach committee. 

  • One other alumni member, if possible, a past winner of one of the awards. 

  • The vice-president, external relations or the vice-president’s designate.
  • One member of the University community (as recommended by the vice-president, external relations, or the vice-president’s designate).
  • The executive director of the Alumni Association or the executive director’s designate, as a non-voting member.

Important notes 

  • Awards are not necessarily presented in all categories each year. 

  • The nominee should be advised and be given the opportunity to assist with the nomination package. 

  • You can only nominate a candidate for one award. 

  • Recipients are expected to attend the awards evening to accept their prize. 

  • Successful nominees agree to participate in publicity efforts surrounding the awards, which may include a videotaped interview, a photoshoot and interviews for alumni publications and news media.