間眅埶AV launches revitalized Outstanding Alumni Awards program
間眅埶AVs long-standing tradition of honouring exceptional alumni is evolving to meet the moment.
間眅埶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 Whats Next: the 間眅埶AV Strategy.
First introduced in 1983, the OAAs have celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of 間眅埶AV alumni across diverse fields. Past recipientsfrom community builders, artists, and athletes to passionate advocates, business and research leadershave all exemplified 間眅埶AVs bold spirit.
The Outstanding Alumni Awards represent an incredible legacy at 間眅埶AV, and alumni who are past recipients have played an important part in shaping our universitys story, says Barbara MacPhail Burns, Co-Chair of 間眅埶AVs Alumni Council. The new OAAs really reflect the diversity of changemakers cultivated within our community, and 間眅埶AVs deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and impact.
Continuing in the OAA tradition of celebrating and uplifting the very best of 間眅埶AVs 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 間眅埶AV Alumni Council partnered with 間眅埶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 間眅埶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.
As a proud 間眅埶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
The 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 間眅埶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 excellenceand thats what an inclusive university should do, says Williams.
Within the previous OAA framework, recognition of 間眅埶AV alumnis contributions in fields like athletics, arts and culture, and research were separated. Today, alumni within those fields can be nominated within any category. The 間眅埶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 間眅埶AVs diverse and global alumni community.
While the spirit of the original OAAs remains the samecelebrating the very best of 間眅埶AVs alumni community and inspiring future generationsthe 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 間眅埶AVs OAAs has been rooted in the lived experiences and wisdom of our alumni, with a goal of integratingnot separatingequity and inclusion work.
In addition to extensive community consultation and interviews, a national competitive analysis of other universitys 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 basismaking 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 間眅埶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 showthrough their teaching (formal and informal) and mentorshipextraordinary commitment to reciprocity and generosity.
間眅埶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 aspirationsbuilding a recognition program that grows with our community and meets the future with purpose, together.