Alumni Awards

Alumni across the generations and around the world live out our motto and contribute to their communities, professions and causes in a variety of ways. The Alumni Board of Directors seeks to celebrate the members of our alumni community and pay tribute to those who exemplify our common calling — "Non nobis solum nati sumus."

Honoring accomplished alumni

The Alumni Board of Directors Membership and Awards Committee is a group of alumni volunteers that thoroughly reviews nominations and recommends the slate of finalists to the full Board of Directors for approval by vote. See more details about the alumni awards below.

Celebrating award recipients

Alumni Award recipients are announced each spring, and a celebratory awards ceremony takes place each year.


Meet the 2023 Recipients

Mary K. Hughes JD'74

Mary K. Hughes JD'74

Lestle J. Sparks Medallion

Jamal Raad BA'08

Jamal Raad BA'08

Distinguished Alum of the Year

Mary Louise VanNatta BA'86

Mary Louise VanNatta BA'86

Professional Achievement

David Martinez BA'90

David Martinez BA'90

Non Nobis Solum

Carina Comer MBA'15

Carina Comer MBA'15

Non Nobis Solum

Alfredo Zuñiga BA’12

Alfredo Zuñiga BA’12

Innovative Achievement

Himalaya Rao-Potlapally MBA’19

Himalaya Rao-Potlapally MBA’19

Innovative Achievement


Each year, we recognize alumni with the following awards

The Sparks Medallion

The Sparks Medallion recognizes graduates whose lifetime loyalty and service to Willamette reflect the ideals of one of the University's most devoted alumni, Lestle J. Sparks, Class of 1919.

Distinguished Alumni Citation

Many of Willamette's graduates have made waves in their own ways — these awards showcase them.

  • Distinguished Alum of the Year: awarded to an alum who has achieved tremendous accomplishments in the last 1-3 years.
  • Professional Achievement: awarded to an alum who has demonstrated success in their career over a lifetime.
  • Non Nobis Solum: awarded to an alum who has made significant contribution to society, the world or however one defines "community."

Recent Alumni Leadership Award

The Recent Alumni Leadership Award is given to recent graduates who have already made noteworthy contributions to their communities, their industry or their causes.

  • Innovative Achievement: awarded to an alum in recognition of significant achievements in entrepreneurship, leadership or innovation since graduating from Willamette.
  • Non Nobis Solum: awarded to a recent graduate who has made significant contribution to society, the world or however one defines "community."

Nominations for these awards come from you

If you know of someone doing remarkable things, we would love to know about it! Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis for the following year's selection. 

  • The deadline for the 2024 awards cycle has passed. Stay tuned for the opening of the next nomination window.
  • Nominators need not be affiliated with Willamette.
  • See the criteria for awards for complete details.

Please submit your nominations through the official nomination forms (use the online nomination form corresponding to the award or call the alumni office to request a PDF or hard copy). By completing the specified fields and providing compelling information, you will assist the committee in their review and selection. Nominations will be held in consideration for three years.

Nominate an alum today | See all past Alumni Award recipients | Awards criteria

Willamette University

Alumni and Parent Engagement

Address
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-375-5304 voice
503-370-6830 fax

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