Alumni Tribute Award Nomination Guidelines

DEFINITIONS

Alumnus/a - For the purpose of these guidelines, Memorial University defines an alumnus/a as any individual who has received a degree, diploma, post-graduate certificate, or certificate requiring undergraduate or academic admission from Memorial University of Newfoundland including Memorial College, the Marine Institute and Grenfell Campus and all predecessors. In all cases, the program of study must have been approved by the Senate of Memorial University or the Academic Council of the Marine Institute (or its predecessors).

Nominator - the indivdual who proposes an alumnus/a to be considered for an Alumni Tribute Award.

Nominee - the alumnus/a being considered for an Alumni Tribute Award.

DEADLINES

Nominations are open year round. Nominations received:

  • By or on April 15 will be considered for the celebrations in the fall of the same year.
  • After April 15 will be carried forward to the following year’s celebrations.

NOMINATION FORM

Nominations should be submitted through the online form: https://mun.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_erJR3d8vScDqis6 

NOMINATORS & NOMINEES

  • Nominators do not need to be Memorial alumni.
  • Nominees must be an alumnus/a of Memorial University.
  • Nominees who have previously been recipients of an award can be considered for a different award, however, their contributions will only be considered from the time they were the recipient of their first award to present and there has to be substantial additional contributions from the time of the first award.
    • Exception: For Alumni of the Year, all activities of the nomination will be considered; however, the activities that form the basis of the previous award cannot be the primary basis for the Alumni of the Year award.
  • Nominees for the Horizon Award must be 35 years of age or younger at the close of nominations to be considered for the award.

NOMINATIONS

  • Memorial University is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and encourages nominations of alumni, including women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous people; racialized people; and people with disabilities.
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted.
  • Nomination submissions can be received from any individual, business or private or public organization.
  • Nominations must be for individual alumni. (In exceptional circumstances, groups - with all members being alumni-may be considered. Businesses will not be considered).
  • There is no limit to the number of nominations that can be submitted by an individual, business, private or public organization.

NOMINATION PACKAGE

  • If you require assistance with your nomination, please contact us at munalum@mun.ca or by phone at 709-864-2313 during regular business hours.
  • Nomination package consists of:
    • One nomination letter (2000 words or less – approx. four pages) – MANDATORY
    • One to four letters of support (1000 words or less each – approx.. two pages each) – OPTIONAL (highly recommended - please note that NOT including letters of support will affect the overall score of your nomination)
    • No other supporting materials will be accepted.
  • The content of the nomination package will be the primary determinant of the candidate's merit; the quality of the written submission will be secondary. 
  • Donor information is not considered a selection criterion except in exceptional circumstances. For example, the donation was transformative (or otherwise uncommon) in some way for Memorial University and is considered along with other significant merits.
  • Information not included in the nomination package will not be considered. It is not the responsibility of any committee member, nor the institution, to research nominations.
  • Nomination Packages submitted after the close of the nominations deadline and carried forward to the following year will be given an opportunity to update the package prior to ATA Selection Committee's review.

NOMINATION LETTERS

If you require assistance with drafting a nomination letter, please contact us at munalum@mun.ca or by phone at 709-864-2313 during regular business hours.

  1. Alumni of the Year Award nomination letters will be evaluated against the following questions along with any additional information provided within the submission package guidelines. Please note that Memorial University is committed to equity, doiversity and inclusion and encourages nominations of alumni, including women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous people; racialized peole; and people with disabilities.
    • How has the nominee reached a high level of distinction in their career or field?
    • How are the nominee’s contributions in their career or field exceptional?
    • How does the nominee inspire others with the values and ethics that guide their life and career?
    • How is the nominee involved with Memorial University?
    • How does the nominee contribute to the community at large?
  2. J.D. Eaton Award nomination letters will be evaluated against the following questions along with an additional information provided within the submission package guidelines. Please note that Memorial University is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and encourages nominations of alumni, including women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous people; racialized peole; and people with disabilities:
    • How has the nominee shown leadership and demonstrated outstanding volunteer service to Memorial University?
    • What are some specific activities or examples that demonstrate the nominee's exceptional service to Memorial University?
    • How have they enhanced the reputation and overall strength of Memorial University?
    • Describe how and when the nominee has positively represented or actively endorsed Memorial University to others and the community at large?
  3. Outstanding Community Service Award nomination letters will be evaluated against the following questions along with an additional information you may provide. Please note that Memorial University is committed to equity and inclusion and encourages nominations of alumni, including women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous people; racialized peole; and people with disabilities:
    • Describe the volunteer contributions of the nominee and explain how they contribute a combination of their time, expertise or knowledge to a particular area or cause.
    • What is the primary focus of the volunteer work?
    • How have these contributions made a positive impact in the community?
    • To be eligible for this award, the nominee's volunteer service cannot be connected to personal or financial gain. Explain how the nominee's volunteerism is distinguished from their paid employment.
  4. Horizon Award nomination letters will be evaluated against the following questions along with an additional information you may provide. Please note that Memorial University is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and encourages nominations of alumni, including women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous people; racialized people; and people with disabilities:
    • Explain how the nominee has reached a high level of distinction in their career or field?
    • Why is this level of achievement uncommon for someone who is 35 years of age or younger?
    • How has the nominee inspire others with the values and ethics that guide their life and career?
    • Describe how the nominee plans to build on their success in the pursuit of other long-term goals?

OTHER

  • Nominations are confidential and can be carried forward for one year. In the second year, the nominators will be contacted and given the opportunity to update their nomination package prior to ATA Selection Committee's review. If contact is not made with the nominator, the nomination is withdrawn.
  • The successful candidate must be able to attend the Alumni Tribute Awards event to receive the award. Under extenuating circumstances, the award may be bestowed virtually if the recipient is unable to attend.
  • The successful candidate cannot be a sitting politician or have intentions to run for a political party prior to the award ceremony.
  • Nominations for a particular award category may be moved to another category with the nominator’s approval and consent.
  • AE may alert the nominator that the package is not fulsome and suggest that it be strengthened. 
  • If there is a deserving candidate or group that does not fit a category, The Luminus Award can be designated under special circumstances by the ATA Selection Committee. It is expected this award would only occasionally be offered.
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