Alumni Awards
The University of Connecticut College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) honors the accomplishments of our alumni through our Alumni Awards. These awards recognize outstanding alumni who demonstrate the benefits of a liberal arts and sciences degree and uphold the College’s values.
The nomination period for the 2024-2025 CLAS Alumni Awards is now open. The deadline to submit is Friday, Dec. 6.
Nominations will be reviewed by a CLAS nomination committee and approved by the Dean. Recipients will be celebrated in person at a ceremony in the spring 2025.
Award Categories
The College will recognize four alumni during the 2024-2025 academic year. We will select one alum from the social sciences and humanities and one from the life and physical sciences in each category. View a breakdown of departments and programs.
CLAS Distinguished Alumni Award
This award honors individuals who have brought distinction to themselves and the College through exceptional achievements in their field, profession, or community, and who have made significant contributions to society. This award recognizes those who exemplify excellence, leadership, and a commitment to the College’s values, including community, creativity, dedication, diversity, empowerment, philanthropy, and integrity.
Eligibility
Eligible nominees for the CLAS Distinguished Alumni Award:
- Must hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from the UConn College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
- Must have earned their degree more than 10 years ago.
- May be active or retired in their professional employment.
- Cannot be current faculty or staff at the University.
- Must be able to accept the award in person.
Nomination Criteria
Reviewers will consider the following criteria:
- Excellence in professional achievement: The nominee demonstrates exceptional accomplishments in their professional career, whether in academia, industry, government, or the nonprofit sector.
- Leadership and influence: The nominee has held leadership positions where they have inspired, mentored, and influenced others. They demonstrate the ability to lead with vision, integrity, and a commitment to ethical principles, making a lasting impact on their organization, industry, or community.
- Contributions to the field: The nominee has made significant contributions to their field of expertise, whether through research, innovation, publications, philanthropy, or the development of new methodologies or practices.
- Commitment to public service and social responsibility: The nominee engages in public service or community activities that reflect a deep commitment to social responsibility and the common good.
- Integrity and ethical conduct: The nominee serves as a role model for others, exemplifying the principles of honesty, fairness, and respect.
CLAS Emerging Leader Award
This award recognizes recent graduates who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential; innovative thinking; and a commitment to making a positive impact in their academic, professional, or community environments. This award honors individuals who, despite being in the early stages of their careers, have already begun to influence others, inspire change, and contribute meaningfully to their field or society at large. They are seen as the next generation of leaders who will continue to shape and influence their fields and communities.
Eligibility
Eligible nominees for the CLAS Emerging Leader Award:
- Must hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from the UConn College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
- Must have earned their degree within the past five years.
- Cannot be current faculty or staff at the University.
- Must be able to accept the award in person.
Nomination Criteria
Reviewers will consider the following criteria:
- Leadership potential: The nominee has shown strong leadership capabilities through roles in the workplace, community, or volunteer initiatives.
- Innovation and creativity: The nominee has introduced new ideas, approaches, or solutions within professional or volunteer experiences.
- Community engagement: The nominee has made significant contributions to their community and demonstrated a commitment to social responsibility and civic engagement.
- Ethical leadership: The nominee exemplifies integrity, ethical decision-making, and the ability to lead others with fairness, respect, and a sense of justice.
- Impact and influence: The nominee’s actions have had a measurable impact and are recognized by peers and mentors as an emerging leader.
Submit A Nomination
Deadline: Friday, Dec. 6
Nominations must be submitted by the deadline using the electronic CLAS Alumni Awards Nomination Form. Please note that self-nominations are not accepted.
You will be asked to provide the following materials with your nomination:
- A brief summary (500 words or less) explaining:
- Why the nominee deserves the award.
- What sets them apart from other candidates (qualifications, achievements, philanthropy, etc.).
- A copy of the nominee’s resume/CV or a link to their LinkedIn profile.
- An additional letter of support (500 words or less) from someone other than the person submitting the nomination.
Contact Us
For questions about the CLAS Alumni Awards or the nomination process, please contact Kim Lachut, Senior Director of Alumni Relations, at klachut@foundation.uconn.edu.
Alumni Degrees
The College will present two awards in each category: one to an alum from a liberal arts department or program, and another to an alum from a science department or program.
Social Sciences and Humanities
- Anthropology
- Communication
- Economics
- English
- Geography, Sustainability, Community, and Urban Studies (includes Geography; Urban and Community Studies; Environmental Studies; and Environmental Sciences)
- History
- Human Development and Family Sciences
- Journalism
- Linguistics
- Literatures, Cultures, and Languages
- Maritime Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Public Policy
- Social and Critical Inquiry (includes American Studies; Asian and Asian American Studies; Native American and Indigenous Studies; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies)
- Sociology
Life and Physical Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Sciences
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Earth Sciences (formerly Geosciences)
- Marine Sciences
- Mathematics
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Physics
- Physiology and Neurobiology
- Psychological Sciences
- Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
- Statistics