Wisconsin Alumni Association Awards Nomination Form

Alumni Awards

Wisconsin Alumni Association Awards Nomination Form

In the spirit of the Wisconsin Idea, the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) annually recognizes degreed living alumni who have made an impact beyond the boundaries of the classroom. If you know any UW–Madison alumni who demonstrate the ideals of progress, discovery, service, and leadership in their careers and communities and positively represent the university, please nominate them (or yourself) for one of the following alumni awards.

The deadline to nominate an individual for an alumni award is January 5, 2026. Award selections will be announced in summer 2026.

Note that current UW–Madison faculty and staff are not eligible for alumni awards. They can, however, be nominated for a faculty or staff award. Visit the faculty, academic staff, and university staff award pages for more information.

Please see WAA’s Alumni Awards FAQ page if you have additional questions.

Nomination Form

Please choose one of the following award categories for you nomination.*
Choose an award to see a description.
- Forward Award
- Luminary Award
- Distinguished Alumni Award
The Luminary Award recognizes significant professional achievement, leadership, service, and/or philanthropy. Alumni at least 15 years from graduation who inspire others through their accomplishments in the areas of leadership, discovery, progress, and service qualify for this honor.
The Forward Award acknowledges rising stars in various fields who demonstrate the Wisconsin Idea through an emphasis on service, discovery, and progress. Young alumni within 15 years of graduation qualify for this recognition of early-career achievements and positive impact on their professions.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is WAA’s highest and most prestigious honor. It recognizes professional achievements and impact, leadership, and contributions to the UW or to society over the course of a UW graduate’s career or lifetime.
Submitter name*
Submitter email*
Submitter phone
Are you nominating yourself?*
- Yes
- No
What is your relationship to the nominee?*
Nominee name*
Nominee email*
Nominee phone
Please complete the following information for the person you are nominating or for yourself if self-nominating:
Current location
City
State / Province
Country
UW degree and year (if known)
Nominee occupation or title
The Wisconsin Idea signifies a general principle: that education should influence people’s lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom. When answering the following questions, please describe in as much detail as possible how your nominee has exemplified the Wisconsin Idea and the ideals of UW–Madison.
How have your nominee’s contributions to their profession and/or community been inspiring and influential and led to positive outcomes and a lasting impression?*
How has your nominee carried their Wisconsin Experience into the real world and continued to make an impact on UW–Madison through service and support?*
Please attach supporting information here (URLs for web pages or articles; letters of recommendation from colleagues or the nominee’s UW–Madison school, college, or department; résumé; etc.).
Website
Website
File
Accepted file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .png
Max. file size: 2MB
Do you have an additional file to submit?
- Yes
- No
File
Accepted file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .png
Max. file size: 2MB
Do you have an additional file to submit?
- Yes
- No
File
Accepted file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .png
Max. file size: 2MB
If you are having problems submitting the form, please contact Chris Braun.

Please complete all required (*) fields and correct any error(s) above.