The Distinguished Alumni Awards are given jointly by the TWU Former Students Association and the University to recognize and to honor alumni who have brought honor to themselves and to their alma mater by outstanding achievements in their chosen profession or who have made notable contributions to society in other areas of endeavor.
Nomination forms are available in the offices of the Former Students Association, and anyone may make a nomination. The Committee will ensure that all members of the Association are invited to submit nominees for the award. All members of the University administration, deans, directors, faculty, and staff will be provided with nomination forms to facilitate nominations for this award. Student nominations will also be sought.
Nominations must be received in the Association office by September 15 for consideration during the next selection period.
Nominees will remain in the nomination pool for a period of three years, and continuing nominees will be asked to update their files annually during that period. Any nominee may be renominated at a later date.
The nominator will be responsible for providing:
- information requested on the nomination form
- a cover letter nominating the graduate she/he wishes to be honored, with particular attention being given to the selection criteria
- a biographical sketch of the nominee
- support letters from others (if any) for the nominee
All Distinguished Alumni
Selection Criteria
- Education, including degree(s) from Texas Woman’s University
- Professional experience
- Publications, research, artistic endeavors
- Volunteer service
- Honors and awards
- Evidence of leadership
- Support of the University through involvement with the University/students
- membership in FSA
- mentoring
- internship sponsorship
- financial contributions
- committee membership
- participation in academic endeavors and/or
- other types of participation
- membership in FSA
The Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee will be appointed by the FSA president, in consultation with the committee chair and will be composed of 5 – 7 members, among whom will be distinguished alumni, other alumni, faculty (2 ideally), staff, students, FSA board members, and active university retirees. The chair is to be named no later than March 1 (prior to the current year’s award ceremony) and is to be appointed for a two-year term. One of the committee members will become the next chair to provide continuity. The chair will report to the FSA president.
Nominations will be sought on an ongoing basis and will be announced in University, FSA, and student publications; over the internet; and in any other appropriate manner.
Nominees must have at least one earned degree from TWU, be in attendance at the Distinguished Alumni award ceremony, and provide the required documents for consideration. They will be evaluated on the basis of the stated selection criteria.
When nominations are received, the nominees will be contacted by a committee member asking for permission to consider them for the award. If the nominee agrees, she/he will be asked to provide a resume which indicates
- nominee’s name and title,
- nominee’s class year(s) and major(s),
- address,
- phone number(s),
- e-mail address,
- educational attainments
- field(s) of special achievement,
- professional experience,
- volunteer service,
- publications, research, and artistic endeavors,
- honors and awards,
- evidence of leadership,
- support of TWU through involvement with the University/students since graduation as evidenced by
- membership in FSA
- mentoring
- internship sponsorships
- financial contributions
- committee membership
- participation in academic endeavors and/or
- other types of participation
- ways in which the nominee sees himself/herself supporting TWU and theFormer Students Association in the future
The Committee will select three or four recipients and an alternate for the award each year. (The alternate may be selected in the event one of the awardees is unable to attend the ceremony and would be placed in the position prior to the announcement of the awardees.) When the selections are made, recipients will be contacted and (1) asked for permission to release information, (2) for a photo that can accompany publications, and (3) any updates to their resumes. Those selected must be in attendance to receive the award.
The Committee will advise the Chancellor and the FSA President by sending them a list of prospective recipients and the alternate, with a brief biographical sketch of each, within 30 days after selection. Original documentation will be available to them for further review upon request.
Academic deans, directors, and chairs will be notified of the selections so they may involve the distinguished alumni as appropriate in their programs.
The recipients will be introduced at the honors convocation, and the awards will be presented at the Distinguished Alumni ceremony at homecoming. Distinguished alumni will be encouraged to participate in the University community as appropriate. The University and the FSA will continue to foster involvement of the distinguished alumni in University endeavors.
After selections have been announced, in the event of a last-minute emergency which prevents the awardee from being present at the awards ceremony, the award may be granted in absentia.