The annual Alumni Awards program is one of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's longest-standing traditions whereÌýwe recognize the accomplishments of some of our most inspirational alumni, faculty, staff and students.ÌýPlease feel free to readÌýabout our different awards below.
The nomination process is now easier than ever!Ìý
We’ve assembled a list of steps you can take to nominate an alum, student, faculty or staff member for one of the six prestigious Alumni Awards. Following these steps will ensure your application presents your nominee at their best.Ìý
Check to see if your candidate has already received the Alumni Award for which you are nominating them by clicking on the individual award page through the descriptions below. Previous winners are listed on each award page. Once a candidate receives an award, they are not eligible to be nominated for the same award again.Ìý
Round 1 submissions include basic nominee details and a 300 word short answer response outlining nominee’s contributions and achievements relevant to the award you are nominating for.Ìý
Gather all supporting documents prior to the submission deadline of MayÌý31, 2026. We use an online tool called Submittable to collect nominations for our Alumni Awards. This tool allows you, the nominator, to create a username and password and log in to make updates to a nomination submission as many times as they would like before final submission.ÌýÌý
Once the nomination is formally submitted, it is not possible to make changes. Please make sure you have clearly reviewed all submission criteria and your application has been thoroughly checked before you submit.
Please note: This selection process is extremely competitive. Often, strong candidates that are not selected one year may have a stronger showing the next year. Also, consider nominating your candidate for a different award. Perhaps they were not a good fit for the Norlin Award, but might be a great fit for the Alumni Recognition Award.Ìý Ìý Any nominees who are not selected for an award can be nominated again two more times. Nominators should then go in and resubmit the nominee to ensure the packet is still current and update any new information. A nominee is no longer eligible for an Alumni Award after three nominations.Ìý
Alumni Awards Selection Timeline
March 1, 2026: Alumni awards are open for nominations
May 31, 2026: Round 1 nomination deadline
July 1, 2026: Round 2 nominations open
End of August, 2026: Nominators and award winners notified
Our Awards
George Norlin Award
The George Norlin Award is the highest honor bestowed by the University of ColoradoÌý Boulder Alumni Association. The award recognizes outstanding alumni who have demonstrated a long-lasting commitment to excellence in their professional career and a devotion to the betterment of society and their community. A Norlin Award recipient stands out amongst others as someone that has made a demonstrated positive impact on a national or global scale.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
Outstanding and impactful professional accomplishments
Exceptional devotion to the betterment of society
Consistent demonstration of personal integrity
Demonstrated positive impact on a national or global scale
TheÌýAlumni Recognition AwardÌýhonors Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder alumni who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, commitment, dedication and service to the advancement of the universityÌý and its mission.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
​Demonstrated leadership in their service to Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder
Extraordinary service to the university
Demonstrated lasting and positive impact on the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ
Volunteerism in service to the University for at least five years
The Leanne Skupa-Lee Award has been presented since 1984 and recognizes effective and passionate volunteers who serve the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ Alumni Association. It honors alumni who embody the Forever Buffs spirit of connecting, contributing and celebrating their Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØpride through extraordinary service to the university.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
Positive advocate for the University of Colorado
Effective and passionate volunteer working directly to support alums, students, faculty and/or staff
Demonstrated and impactful leadership and extraordinary service to the Alumni Association
Volunteerism in service to the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Alumni Association for at least three years
TheÌýÌýhas been presented since 1982 to recognize outstanding career achievement, as well as significant contributions to the community and/or the university, within 15 years of graduation from the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
Outstanding career achievement
Exceptional and impactful contributions to societyÌýand/or university
TheÌýRobert L. Stearns AwardÌýwas initiated in 1953, the year of the resignation of Robert L. Stearns (A&S’14) as the sixth president of the university. He had presided over Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØsince 1939. The award recognizes members of the faculty and staff for extraordinary achievement or service in any one or combination of the following areas: teaching, service to the University, work with students, research or off-campus service.
TheÌýForever Buffs Student AwardÌýhonors CUÌýBoulder students who demonstrate the Forever Buffs tenets of connecting, contributing and celebrating their Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØpride through extraordinary service to the university.
Award Requirements:
Student must be in good academic standing with the university.
Only current Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder students are eligible to receive the Forever Buff Award. Students must be a full time student at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder at the time of service.
Award Evaluation Criteria:
Demonstrated leadership on campus or the community
Extraordinary service to the university
Impact on the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder campus community
