The annual Valparaiso University Alumni Association (VUAA) Distinguished Student Awards recognize graduating students from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Nursing, Christ College, the School of Law, and the Graduate Studies program. Four equally important and equally weighted criteria should be considered in submitting names of candidates who are eligible for graduation in December 2008, May 2009, August 2009, or December 2009. These criteria are scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Additionally, the VUAA awards one Distinguished Student Award for Undergraduate Non-Traditional Students annually. This award recognizes a non-traditional student earning his or her undergraduate degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Nursing, or Christ College. There are six criteria for nomination for this award. The student must:

• be at least 25 years of age.
• have a GPA of at least 3.6.
• be a demonstrated campus leader or volunteer.
• be recommended by the Dean of his or her college or by the Dean of Continuing Education.
• be scheduled for graduation in December 2008, May 2009, August 2009, or December 2009.
• have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at VU.

SELECTION PROCESS

Nominations for the awards are made by the deans of each college. A committee made up of members of the association's board of directors reviews the materials submitted for each candidate and selects those students who are deemed most deserving of recognition. The names of those selected are then recommended to the association's board of directors and the University president for action. The deliberations of the awards committee and the board are kept confidential. Those individuals chosen to receive awards will be honored during a lunch the week prior to commencement.

YOUR NOMINATION

To nominate a student for either of these two awards, please complete the appropriate form and answer each question thoroughly. Detailed responses enable the VUAA Committee on Awards to evaluate nominees more thoroughly. Please use a separate form for each nominee.

Please submit only the nomination form. Any additional materials submitted will be returned to the nominator without consideration by the selection committee.

Nominations must remain confidential. Please do not inform candidates that they have been nominated, since only a limited number of awards are presented each year.

Questions about the process? Call the VU Office of Alumni Relations at 219.464.5142, fax 219.464.5467, or send an e-mail to alumni@valpo.edu.

Nominations for 2009 VUAA Student Awards are now closed. Nominations for 2010 awards will open in December.