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.
Awards of Excellence
Learn about our different award categories and how to nominate someone for recognition!
Awards category
Meritas Tabaret Award for Alumni Lifetime Achievement
Established in 1991, the Meritas Tabaret Award for Alumni Lifetime Achievement is the association’s oldest and highest honour.
Alumnus/Alumna of the Year for Professional Excellence
The Alumnus/Alumna of the Year for Professional Excellence Award recognizes the outstanding professional achievement of one of our alumni members.
Commitment to the University (Loyalty)
The Award for Commitment to the University recognizes extraordinary alumni who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the uOttawa community through their dedicated support.
Future-Makers (Young Alumnus/Alumna)
The Future-Makers Award recognizes significant contributions by a recent alum who is making significant contributions in their field, and who stands out as a leader, innovator, or catalyst for change early in their career.
Community Service (Volunteer)
The Award for Community Service recognizes a person or a group that has contributed time and effort to enhancing the uOttawa network, impact or brand, managing a specific initiative or directly supporting students.
Honorary Member (Friend of uOttawa)
The Honorary Member of the Alumni Association Award celebrates a person who is not a graduate of the University but whose actions and dedication have a beneficial impact on the uOttawa student experience or make a significant contribution to the University in general.
University Builder
The University Builder category recognizes a person or company that has made a substantial financial contribution to the University or formalized a legacy gift, endowed a program, or contributed to a building renewal or expansion, ultimately enhancing possibilities for the University community and fulfilling uOttawa’s vision and aspirations.
Eligibility and selection process
Nominations for the 2025 uOttawa Alumni Association Awards of Excellence are now closed.
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 Alumni Association President.
- 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 director of the Alumni Engagement Office.
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.