Submit Annual Award Nominations

 

Each year the UMaine Alumni Association recognizes several individuals who have performed distinguished service on behalf of their professions, communities, and alma mater.


Please contact Ashley Twombly at ashley.twombly@maine.edu with any questions regarding the nomination process.

The 2024 Alumni Achievement Awards nomination deadline is Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

We welcome nominations at any time throughout the year for future consideration.

Award Descriptions

Alumni Career Award

The Alumni Career Award is the most prestigious recognition given by the University of Maine Alumni Association. It is presented to a University of Maine graduate whose life’s work is marked by outstanding achievements in professional, business, civic and/or other public service areas. Click here to view past Alumni Career Award Recipients.

Champion of UMaine Award

The Champion of UMaine Award recognizes an individual who, though not an alumnus or alumna of UMaine, has provided exceptional, effective, and sustained advocacy and support for UMaine’s mission and quality. Click here to view past Champion of UMaine Award Recipients.

Bernard Lown ’42 Alumni Humanitarian Award

The Bernard Lown ’42 Alumni Humanitarian Award recognizes University of Maine graduates who are dedicated to outstanding service and impact at the regional, national or global level through active engagement in saving lives, relieving suffering, and promoting human dignity. It is named in honor of Nobel Laureate Dr. Bernard Lown ’42, who dedicated his life to world disarmament and the advancement of human health. Click here to view past Bernard Lown ’42 Alumni Humanitarian Award Recipients.

Suzanne Kay Hart ’68 Alumni Service Award

The Suzanne Kay Hart ’68 Alumni Service Award (previously called the Pine Tree Emblem Service Award) recognizes exemplary leadership and extensive service, in multiple ways and over a lengthy period of time, to promote the success, reputation, and value of the University of Maine Alumni Association. Click here to view past Suzanne Kay Hart ’68 Alumni Service Award Recipients.

Spirit of Maine Achievement Award

The Alumni Association’s Spirit of Maine Achievement Award is given to an alumnus/alumna who has graduated in the last fifteen years and who has achieved outstanding professional, scholarly, public, and/or entrepreneurial success. Click here to view past Spirit of Maine Achievement Award Recipients.

Black Bear Award

The Black Bear Award is presented in appreciation of outstanding service through continuous, outstanding advocacy for the University of Maine in ways that increase or enhance the reputation and public appreciation of UMaine in the areas of academics, athletics, the arts, and/or alumni success. The award is inscribed with the legend: “For devotion and loyalty to the highest traditions of the University of Maine.” No more than four awards may be given annually. Click here to view past Black Bear Award Recipients.

Block “M” Award

Each year the Alumni Association presents the Block “M” Award to deserving individuals who, over a period of years, advance the strength and success of his or her alumni class, Chapter, and/or Alumni Interest Group. No more than six awards may be given annually.
Click here to view past Block “M” Award Recipients.

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Awards recognize individuals who, in the years immediately following their UMaine graduation, have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing the strength and success of the Alumni Association, their alumni class, alumni chapter, and/or Alumni Interest Group. Two awards may be given annually.
Click here to view past Rising Star Award Recipients.

Fogler Legacy Award

The Fogler Legacy Award is presented to one family that has a strong tradition of attending the University of Maine. The recipient must include a minimum of three generations of graduates. At least two of the family members must have a record of outstanding service to their alma mater, the Alumni Association, their community, and/or their profession. Click here to view past Fogler Legacy Award Recipients.

Hilda Sterling ’55 Class Correspondent Award

The Hilda A. Sterling ’55 Class Correspondent Award is presented in recognition of exemplary service to the class as class correspondent. Recipients of this award must demonstrate a consistent commitment to high quality communications for their University of Maine class. Click here to view past Hilda Sterling ’55 Class Correspondent Award Recipients.

Writing a Nomination Letter

Statement of Support for Award Nominations

This is a highly selective process. A thoughtful, substantive, and robust statement in support of your nominee is very important in helping the Awards Committee with its selections. Your written statement serves to personalize each nominee and should support the criteria for a particular award, address your knowledge of the nominee’s achievements, service and support on behalf of UMaine and/or the Alumni Association, and cite specific successes or impacts on UMaine and/or Alumni Association activities, demonstrating why this individual or group qualifies for the award recognition.

What should you consider in presenting your nominee?

  • Source the names of potential candidates by talking with others from your class, club, or group, and consult the Association staff member with whom you most closely work.
  • Clearly articulate what is distinguished about the candidate’s service and leadership as it relates to the award criteria.
  • Has this nominee been an especially effective advocate? What were the measurable results of their engagement?
  • Why should this nominee be held up as a role model for other UMaine alumni?
Award Nominations Timeline

December 16, 2022 at 4pm: Deadline for nomination submissions.

January 2023: Award recipients announced.

Spring 2023: Award recipients will be recognized at the annual Alumni Achievement Awards event.

 

Alumni Award Nomination Form

Nominee Information

Person being nominated
Name(Required)
Address(Required)

Nominator Information

Person filling out this form
Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Award individual is being nominated for:(Required)
Please explain why you believe this candidate should receive this award by attaching a letter of support. Keep in mind that this is a highly selective process. A thoughtful, substantive, and robust statement in support of your nominee is very important in helping the committee with its selections. The suggested maximum length for the letter of support is two pages.
Max. file size: 32 MB.
If necessary, please provide a second letter of support.
Max. file size: 32 MB.
If necessary, please provide a third letter of support.
Max. file size: 32 MB.