The Penn State Alumni Association is accepting nominations for the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award. Established by the University's Board of Trustees in 1951, the award is the highest honor that Penn State bestows upon an outstanding alumna or alumnus. The award salutes the achievements of outstanding alumni whose personal lives, professional achievements and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater. The award is an engraved bronze medallion, matching pendant and framed inscribed certificate.
All graduates of the University, who have received a first or bachelor's degree, or an advanced degree, and former students (who have attended full-time as a degree-seeking student and satisfactorily passed a minimum of one semester) are eligible for consideration of the award. Current members of the Board of Trustees, current employees of the University, and current officers and members of the Executive Board of the Alumni Association are not eligible for the award.
Nominations must be returned by Oct. 14. The nomination form is available at http://www.alumni.psu.edu/awards/individual/distinguished.htm online. This form alone will be used by the Board of Trustees in determining individuals to receive the award, and, therefore, should be filled in as completely as possible. The recipients will be determined by ballot at the January 2012 meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The chair of the board will appoint a selection committee to review all nominations and recommend a slate of candidates to the full membership of the Board of Trustees. The recipients will be determined by ballot at the January Board of Trustees meeting.
Following selection, public announcement will be made. The awards are presented on the occasion of the Alumni Reunion Weekend activities, typically held June of each year.