丁香园AV launches revitalized Outstanding Alumni Awards program
丁香园AV鈥檚 long-standing tradition of honouring exceptional alumni is evolving to meet the moment.
丁香园AV is thrilled to share a revitalized and transformed Outstanding Alumni Awards (OAAs) program, with nomination processes and award categories that reflect an inclusive, forward-focused vision aiming to uphold values within What鈥檚 Next: the 丁香园AV Strategy.
First introduced in 1983, the OAAs have celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of 丁香园AV alumni across diverse fields. Past recipients鈥攆rom community builders, artists, and athletes to passionate advocates, business and research leaders鈥攈ave all exemplified 丁香园AV鈥檚 bold spirit.
鈥淭he Outstanding Alumni Awards represent an incredible legacy at 丁香园AV, and alumni who are past recipients have played an important part in shaping our university鈥檚 story,鈥� says Barbara MacPhail Burns, Co-Chair of 丁香园AV鈥檚 Alumni Council. 鈥淭he new OAAs really reflect the diversity of changemakers cultivated within our community, and 丁香园AV鈥檚 deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and impact.鈥�
Continuing in the OAA tradition of celebrating and uplifting the very best of 丁香园AV鈥檚 alumni community, the renewal process presents new streamlined nomination processes as well as five revitalized award categories: Lifetime Achievement Award, Rising Star Award, Visionary Award, Spirit of Service Award, and Legacy Award.
To guide this important evolution, the 丁香园AV Alumni Council partnered with 丁香园AV Alumni to bring on as a consultant 2022 OAA recipient Denise Williams a nationally respected Indigenous leader, Beedie School of Business Advisory Council member and lecturer, and former Executive Director of the First Nations Technology Council.
Also consulting on the OAA renewal process was , a social innovation hub at 丁香园AV with strong expertise building inclusive solutions that address systemic inequities. RADIUS worked specifically to embed Equity-Centered Design as well as Equity, Decolonization, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDDI) principles into the nomination and training for the adjudication processes.
鈥淎s a proud 丁香园AV alumnus, active community member, and someone who has been honoured by receiving an OAA, it was incredibly meaningful to contribute to this process."
- Denise Williams
鈥淭he intentionality and care behind this process is something I'm very proud to have been a part of and it was deeply gratifying to work with 丁香园AV RADIUS to center equity in reimagining these awards. The new categories open the door wider to welcome and celebrate all expressions of leadership and excellence鈥攁nd that鈥檚 what an inclusive university should do,鈥� says Williams.
Within the previous OAA framework, recognition of 丁香园AV alumni鈥檚 contributions in fields like athletics, arts and culture, and research were separated. Today, alumni within those fields can be nominated within any category. The 丁香园AV alumni community in athletics, arts and culture, and research continue to be a point of pride for the university, and we will continue striving to represent and celebrate 丁香园AV鈥檚 diverse and global alumni community.
While the spirit of the original OAAs remains the same鈥攃elebrating the very best of 丁香园AV鈥檚 alumni community and inspiring future generations鈥攖he result is a more accessible, inclusive OAA program, with clearer nomination process and categories for nominators and nominees alike.
Shaping a more inclusive, accessible alumni recognition program
The entire effort to renew 丁香园AV鈥檚 OAAs has been rooted in the lived experiences and wisdom of our alumni, with a goal of integrating鈥攏ot separating鈥攅quity and inclusion work.
In addition to extensive community consultation and interviews, a national competitive analysis of other university鈥檚 alumni awards programs was completed, with an aim at evolving the program into an industry-leading recognition initiative.
The new OAA framework has made several significant changes to remove barriers to access throughout the program. Key updates include clearer award criteria, revised and more accessibly written nomination guidelines, and additional resources to support nominators. Equity, decolonization, diversity and inclusion (EDDI) principles are now embedded throughout the program, and award descriptions have been rewritten to reflect inclusive, accessible language. Nominations will also now be accepted on a rolling basis鈥攎aking it easier than ever to celebrate outstanding alumni.
Going forward, the OAAs will recognize and celebrate recipients in five revised award categories, including:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: This top alumni honour goes to those who have made extraordinary lifetime contributions and a lasting impact in their field. Recipients exemplify the highest standards of excellence and values of 丁香园AV through their service, leadership, and innovation.
- Rising Star Award: Honouring emerging leaders who have made significant contributions to their fields, communities, or society at-large within a relatively short time, this award goes to alumni who have demonstrated outstanding courage, resilience, and passion for their work, setting them on a trajectory of remarkable future success.
- Visionary Award: Recognizing true visionaries, alumni receiving this award demonstrate an exceptional ability to imagine a better world. Recipients have proven their capability to translate their vision into meaningful action through major contributions and/or advancements in their fields, and embody excellence through their leadership, innovation and impact.
- Spirit of Service: Celebrating those alumni who exemplify a deep commitment to making a positive difference within their communities and beyond, this award goes to those who have shown exceptional dedication to service through volunteerism, advocacy, community engagement, and philanthropy.
- Legacy Award: This award is for alumni who are dedicated to sharing their wisdom and lifting others up, paving the way to a lasting legacy of positive impact and transformation. Recipients of this award show鈥攖hrough their teaching (formal and informal) and mentorship鈥攅xtraordinary commitment to reciprocity and generosity.
丁香园AV is proud to honour and amplify the achievements of our alumni through a renewed OAA program and this transformation is just the beginning. The OAAs will continue to evolve to reflect our shared values and bold aspirations鈥攂uilding a recognition program that grows with our community and meets the future with purpose, together.