Submit Annual Award Nominations

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 two 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 four 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. One award 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.

Honorary Member of the University of Maine Alumni Association

Honorary Members of the UMAA can be nominated by any alumnus/a.  Individuals may be nominated for Honorary Member distinction at any time during the year. Still, the selection process will occur annually in the winter in conjunction with the selection process for all awards presented annually by the UMaine Alumni Association. Honorary Member status is restricted to those who have never been enrolled as a student at the University of Maine, or who have been enrolled but completed less than two full semesters of study. Nominees will be judged on one or more of the following criteria:
o Outstanding service to UMaine and/or the Alumni Association
o Lifelong devotion to the University of Maine
o Demonstrated loyalty to UMaine and the Alumni Association
– Individuals may be nominated for Honorary Member status by submitting the official nomination form and a minimum of two letters of support, articulating why the candidate exemplifies one or more of selection criteria.
– Honorary Member status may be granted to no more than four individuals in each calendar year.

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?

November 5, 2024: Deadline for nomination submissions.

January 2025: Award recipients announced.

Spring 2025: Award recipients will be recognized at the annual Alumni Achievement Awards event.