Alumni Association

Alumni Awards Timeline and Criteria

Nominations are considered by the Awards Committee, and nominations can be made at any point during the year. 

The Awards Committee meets at the beginning of the calendar year to determine that year's group of honorees - with notification to recipients in the early spring. The Alumni Medal is presented during the commencement ceremony in May.

A nomination may remain active, and be reconsidered each year, for up to three years. For information about the criteria for each award, please see below. 

Nominate an outstanding Obie for an award!

 

A candidate for recipient of the Alumni Medal:

  • Oberlin College Alumni Medalmust have given outstanding, sustained or unique service to Oberlin College;
  • may or may not be an Oberlin alumnus/a;
  • may or may not have been employed by Oberlin College (for someone who has been an employee, the medal recognizes service above and beyond their professional duties);
  • must not be a current Oberlin College employee, honorary degree recipient, Board of Trustees member, Alumni Council’s Executive Board or Awards Committee member, but may be one who is retiring;
  • must be able to come to campus during commencement in May to receive the award during the commencement ceremony.

Normally one medal is presented in a year. A second medal may also be awarded posthumously. 

A candidate for recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award:

  • must have demonstrated in their life success that reflects Oberlin’s values in careers, volunteer activities, and in life generally;
  • must be an Oberlin alumnus/a;
  • may or may not have been employed by Oberlin College (for someone who has been an employee, the award recognizes activities above and beyond their professional duties);
  • must not be a current Oberlin College employee, honorary degree recipient, Board of Trustees member, Alumni Council’s Executive Board or Awards Committee member, but may be one who is retiring.

Normally one award is presented in a year with both college and conservatory alumni considered. 

A candidate for recipient of the Distinguished Service Award:

  • must have demonstrated in their life service or volunteer activities that reflect Oberlin’s values by directly improving the quality of life for humanity;
  • must be an Oberlin alumnus/a;
  • may or may not have been employed by Oberlin College (for someone who has been an employee, the award recognizes activities above and beyond their professional duties);
  • must not be a current Oberlin College employee, honorary degree recipient, Board of Trustees member, Alumni Council’s Executive Board or Awards Committee member, but may be one who is retiring.

Normally one award is presented in a year with both college and conservatory alumni considered. 

A candidate for recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award:

  • must have distinguished themselves in one or more of the following areas: professional career, service to humanity, and service to Oberlin College;
  • must be an Oberlin alumnus/a;
  • may or may not have been employed by Oberlin College (for someone who has been an employee, the award recognizes activities above and beyond their professional duties);
  • must not be a current Oberlin College employee, honorary degree recipient, Board of Trustees member, Alumni Council’s Executive Board or Awards Committee member, but may be one who is retiring.

Normally one award is presented in a year with both college and conservatory alumni considered. 

A candidate for recipient of the Alumni Appreciation Award:

  • must have performed a unique service or made a unique contribution to the Oberlin College Alumni Association; or
  • must have performed a unique service or made a unique contribution to Oberlin College; or
  • must have performed a unique service or made a unique contribution that exemplifies Oberlin values

Normally one award is presented in a year with both college and conservatory alumni considered.