Northeastern Illinois University Alumni Awards
Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) takes great pride in the success of its alumni. The NEIU community celebrates these achievements through the annual Alumni Awards. A call for nominations is currently open. Alumni, employees, and students can submit nominations for the annual Alumni Awards to honor alumni and future alumni for significant achievements in their work, service, or leadership activities.
Nominations to be considered for the future Alumni Awards are open now. The date of the next Alumni Awards will be announced at a future time.
Alumni Award Nomination Form
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Northeastern Illinois University Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest alumni honor the University bestows. It recognizes a particular achievement of note, a series of such achievements or a career of outstanding accomplishment. Since the award's inception in 2005, Northeastern has recognized alumni who have distinguished themselves as preeminent in their fields, excelling in their vocations and avocations.
*The Distinguished Alumnus Awardee will also be expected to bring remarks graduates during a future Commencement ceremony.
Alumni Service Award
The Alumni Service Award is given for outstanding service to the University. The award recognizes the achievements of individuals working on behalf of the University through service in alumni programs, on advocacy committees, and through efforts made to ensure the welfare of the institution.
Community Leadership Award
The Community Leadership Award honors an outstanding alumnus or alumna who has fulfilled the obligations of his or her education through distinguished leadership and service to his or her community beyond what is required by his or her job or profession.
Outstanding GOLD Alumni Award
The GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Alumni award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who graduated within the last ten years and has excelled in his or her chosen profession. Each year, honorees offer inspiration and encouragement as models for principled leadership and a commitment to serving others. In addition, the GOLD Alumni Award serves as an opportunity for the University community to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of alumni who have achieved notable success quickly following graduation.
Future Alumni Leader Award
The Future Alumni Leader Award is presented to current students who are recognized by the University community as demonstrating exceptional service. The Future Alumni Leader Award was established to give campus divisions, academic departments and colleges the opportunity to recognize one student for outstanding service to Northeastern Illinois University and who demonstrates potential as an alumni leader. This award is based on the premise that students who are highly involved in service efforts will continue their commitment to service after graduation and will become alumni leaders.
Note: With the exception of the Future Alumni Leader Award, all nominees must have graduated from NEIU to be considered. All recipients are recommended to the President of NEIU by the NEIU Alumni Awards Committee. The Committee is made up of internal and external University stakeholders. For questions about the selection process, please email alumni@neiu.edu.