Alumni Association Awards of Excellence
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The University of Ottawa Alumni Association encourages and supports the tremendous achievements of its members with the annual presentation of the Alumni Association Awards of Excellence. Established in 2011, these awards aim to recognize the inspiring talent, effort and influence of the University’s graduates—locally and worldwide.

The accomplishments of University of Ottawa alumni around the world bring credit and recognition to their alma mater. In return, the Alumni Association Awards of Excellence Program seeks to identify and recognize alumni for their achievements.

An Awards Selection Committee carefully reviews all nominations for these prestigious awards. In keeping with the nature of these awards and the calibre of people that they honour, a special night is set aside each year to bring together University supporters in celebration of our alumni’s achievements. Each recipient receives an elegant keepsake, and has his or her name permanently in a place of honour.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Alumni Awards of Excellence may be presented annually by the University of Ottawa Alumni Association in the following categories:

MERITAS TABARET AWARD FOR ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT

Established in 1991, this is the Association’s oldest and highest honour. This award recognizes the inspiring talent, effort and influence of the University’s graduates—locally and worldwide. Past winners include television personality Alex Trebek, pianist Angela Hewitt, businessman Paul Tellier and journalist Lisa LaFlamme. Nominees must have distinguished themselves through excellence and achievement in their professional field throughout their career; have demonstrated leadership in their profession; have made a positive contribution to the prestige, influence and reputation of the University of Ottawa; and have exercised and continue to exercise a strong positive influence in the community.

ALUMNUS/ALUMNA OF THE YEAR

The Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding achievement of one of our alumni members within the last year. Consideration is given to alumni who have won honours in their field or who have been recognized by nationally or internationally.

COMMITMENT TO THE UNIVERSITY

This award recognizes an extraordinary alumnus/alumna who has set a high standard for volunteerism at and/or philanthropy towards the University. Specifically, this award recognizes to those individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of uOttawa through their dedication, generosity and commitment to its values.

YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

The Young Alumni Award recognizes significant contributions by an individual in his or her field of endeavour, whether through professional achievement or community service. The recipient must be 40 or under and set an inspirational example for future alumni.

AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

Presented jointly with the Centre for Global and Community Engagement, this award recognizes alumni who have made outstanding volunteer contributions within their own community. They have enriched the lives of others through their generous gifts of time and talent and through their involvement with civic, charitable and social causes.

HONORARY MEMBER OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

This award celebrates a person who is not a graduate of the University, but whose actions and dedication have affected the uOttawa experience. The award recognizes friends of uOttawa for outstanding personal service, commitment and contribution, past or present, to the University.

Please note that awards are not necessarily presented in all categories each year.

ELIGIBILITY

Alumni Association Awards of Excellence

• With the exception of the Honorary Member of the Alumni Association, award, nominees must be University of Ottawa graduates.

• Graduates of diploma and certificate programs are also eligible.

• Posthumous nominations are not accepted.

• Nominations for sitting politicians are not accepted. Recipients of University of Ottawa honorary degrees are not eligible unless they also hold a degree obtained through academic studies.

• Current members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors or the uOttawa Board of Governors are not eligible.

SELECTION PROCESS

The University of Ottawa Alumni Association secretariat administers the Alumni Association Awards of Excellence. Announcements inviting nominations are communicated electronically to all alumni reachable by e-mail and via the Association’s website at alumni.uOttawa.ca/en/association.

Selection is based on the nominee’s accomplishments, as highlighted in the nomination package. The Board strives for diversity among award recipients. The letters of support, biography and list of accomplishments should clearly make the link between the nominee and the award for which he or she is being considered.

A selection committee appointed by the Alumni Association Board of Directors reviews all nominations and makes recommendations to the Board of the Alumni Association for approval. The selection committee includes:

The chair of the Alumni Association’s award committee (as chair)
One additional member recommended by the awards committee
One other alumni member, if possible a past recipient of one of the awards
The Vice-President, External Relations or his or her designate
One member of the University community (as recommended by the Vice-President, External Relations, or his or her designate)
The Executive Director of the Alumni Association or his or her designate, as a non-voting member

IMPORTANT

The nominee should be advised and be given the opportunity to assist with the nomination package.
Nominations are kept on file and are eligible for consideration for three years.
Nominators are welcome to update the nominee’s file each year should they wish.
Recipients are expected to attend the awards evening to accept their prize.
Successful nominees agree to participate in publicity efforts surrounding the awards, which may include a videotaped interview, a photo shoot and interviews for alumni publications and news media.