Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards

Recognizing Outstanding Alumni

The Alumni Association is seeking to renew its pool of candidates for the annual Alumni Awards.

Nominate your classmates here!

Deadline for Nominations: May 31 of each calendar year. The awards are divided into two categories:

  • Awards awarded yearly
  • Awards awarded every other year

Each nomination is good for three years after which a candidate will need to be nominated again.

Awards awarded yearly:

Excellence in Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award

Presented to an ESU alumnus/a who has distinguished themselves and brought credit to ESU at a state, national, or international level by their work in the fields of art and design, computer science, criminal justice, law, government, science, physics, chemistry, economics, and social work.

Excellence in Business and Management Distinguished Alumni Award

Recognizes an ESU alumnus/a who has distinguished themselves and brought credit to ESU at a state, national, or international level through their work in the field of manufacturing, technology, accounting, financial services, risk management, marketing, government, health care, hotel management, tourism, sports management, and related management fields.

Excellence in Education Distinguished Alumni Award

Recognizes an ESU alumnus/a who is an educator, has demonstrated superior teaching or administrative ability, and an extraordinary commitment to students at the elementary, secondary or college level. The recipient may be active or retired and must have a minimum of 20 years in education.

Excellence in Health Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award

Recognizes an ESU alumnus/a who has distinguished themselves and brought credit to ESU at a state, national, or international level by their work in the fields of exercise science, communication sciences and disorders, athletic training, physiology, public health, medicine, nursing, rehabilitative services, and other related fields.

Entrepreneur Award

Recognizes an ESU graduate who has successfully established or further developed a business or company. Recipients of this award demonstrate entrepreneurial achievements while representing the values of ESU.

Jim Barniak Award

This award recognizes an ESU alumnus who has contributed to, or achieved success, in the field athletics beyond graduation.

Awards awarded every other year

Helen G. Brown Honor Award

Recognizes an ESU graduate whose extraordinary accomplishments in the field of environmental sciences, outdoor education, and nature have brought honor to the University and its alumni.

Conrad “Skip” Idukas Service Award

Recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the University and/or the Alumni Association through exceptional volunteer service. The recipient need not be an alumnus or alumna.

Dr. George Thompson, Jr. Award

Recognizes exceptional accomplishment or life achievement in areas of community and human relations along with a demonstrated commitment to the promotion of the mission of ESU. Candidate embodies multicultural and diverse values, and need not be an alumnus or alumna.

Young Alumni Achievement Award

Honors a recent graduate (within ten years) who has demonstrated exceptional ability and made significant strides in their chosen profession and/or whose extraordinary accomplishments have brought honor to the university and pride to all alumni.

To view a list of past award recipients, please visit each award page from the list below:

Congratulations 2023 Alumni Award Winners 

Excellence in Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni
Robert Flowers ’86

Excellence in Business Management Distinguished Alumi
Kurt Zwikl ’72 (presented posthumously)

Excellence in Education Distinguished Alumni
Christopher Yeager ’74 M’81

Excellence in Health Sciences Distinguished Alumni
Marguerite Lawrence ’96

Helen G. Brown Honor Award
David VanSolkema ’18

Dr. George Thompson, Jr. Award
Maury Molin ’76

Entrepreneur Award
John Jake Jacobi ’63 M’70

Jim Barniak
Ron Powell ’82
Bill Lewis ’63