Skip to main content

Alumni Award Descriptions

We are proud to recognize the CALES alumni and friends who make a lasting impact in their fields and communities. Explore our award categories below to review the criteria for each honor—and help us shine a spotlight on a fellow Wildcat who inspires you.

Submit a nomination

Jump to CALES awards

Jump to U of A awards

CALES Alumni Awards

Early Achiever Award (under 40)

The Early Achiever Award is for individuals forty years old and younger, who have demonstrated superior performance in activities reflected in the mission of the College.  The Awards are intended to emphasize the wide diversity of the College by recognizing outstanding accomplishments and activities directly affecting agriculture sciences, renewable resources, the marketplace, families and consumers.

Outstanding Achiever Award (41-59)

The Outstanding Achiever Award is for individuals between forty-one and fifty-nine years old, who have demonstrated superior performance in activities reflected in the mission of the College.  The Awards are intended to emphasize the wide diversity of the College by recognizing outstanding accomplishments and activities directly affecting agriculture sciences, renewable resources, the marketplace, families and consumers. 

Lifetime Achievement Award (60 and older)

The Lifetime Achievement Award is for individuals at least sixty years old who have demonstrated superior performance in activities reflected in the mission of the College.  The Awards are intended to emphasize the wide diversity of the College by recognizing outstanding accomplishments and activities directly affecting agriculture sciences, renewable resources, the marketplace, families and consumers. 

Lifetime Achievement Award (organizations)

The CALES Lifetime Achievement Award is for organizations that have significantly supported the College and/or Arizona Agriculture or any of its programs in a superior and sustained manner over a thirty-year period. The award is intended to emphasize the wide diversity of the College by recognizing outstanding accomplishments and activities directly affecting agriculture sciences, renewable resources, the marketplace, families and consumers.

CALES Alumni Achievement Award

The CALSAA will be made to an individual who has attained success in his/her field of endeavor.  Preference will be given to an individual who has received a degree from the University CALS, but that need not be a requirement.  Service to the University need not be a requirement as well. 

Friend of CALES Award

The Friend of CALES Award will be given to alumni/non-alumni who, on a particular occasion or occasions, has performed noteworthy or meritorious service or services on behalf of agriculture, family and consumer sciences, natural resources or the College or the University of Arizona.

The Heritage Family Award

The Heritage Family Award was established in 2007 to honor a multi-generational family that has a history of dedicated service on behalf of agriculture, family and consumer sciences, natural resources, the College, or the University of Arizona.  

Carol Knowles Award for Excellence in Development and Alumni Relations

This award is presented to an outstanding staff member from CALES for their contributions to development and alumni affairs.  This award will be given periodically.

Award for Extraordinary Efforts in Engagement and Advocacy

This award recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to engage communities and advocate for the College and its mission.

University of Arizona Alumni Awards

Advocacy Award (est. 2010)

The Advocacy Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary efforts in promoting education and the needs of the University of Arizona. Preference is given to an alumnus or alumna of the University of Arizona, but it is not a requirement.

  • Eligibility: Alumni-optional
  • Form of award: Plaque

Alumni Achievement Award (est. 1943)

The Alumni Achievement Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has attained prominence in his or her field of endeavor and demonstrated outstanding service to the University of Arizona. This award is the highest honor the Arizona Alumni Association can bestow upon alumni, and is presented during commencement ceremonies.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Crystal award
  • Time of award: May commencement
  • Number of awards: One (1) at the May commencement ceremony
  • Deadline: Feb. 1

Alumni Association Recognition Award (est. 1964)

The Alumni Recognition Award honors individuals for a particular accomplishment.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Letter or plaque

Bear Down Award (est. 1986)

The Bear Down Award is given to an individual who has performed noteworthy or meritorious service on behalf of the University of Arizona.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
    Form of award: Plaque

Distinguished Citizen Award (est. 1962)

The Distinguished Citizen Award is given to a person in recognition of extraordinary service to the public or in nonprofit organizations or outstanding volunteer service. Special consideration is given to an individual who has attended the University of Arizona, but it is not a requirement.

  • Eligibility: Alumni-optional
  • Form of award: Plaque

Extraordinary Faculty Award (est. 2001)

The Extraordinary Faculty Award is presented by the Arizona Alumni Association to a faculty member who brings honor or distinction to the University of Arizona.

  • Eligibility: Faculty-only
  • Form of award: Plaque

Global Achievement Award (est. 2010)

The Global Achievement Award recognizes alumni who have brought honor and credit to the University of Arizona and their profession in the global arena through professional achievement or humanitarian service.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Plaque

Honorary Alumnus/Alumna Award (est. 1947)

The Honorary Alumnus/Alumna Award is given to non-alumni of the University of Arizona who have demonstrated continued interest in and exceptional loyalty and service to the university for 10 years or longer. Particular consideration is given to individuals who have responded to requests for service from the university.

  • Eligibility: Non-alumni
  • Form of award: Plaque

Leo B. Hart Humanitarian Award (est. 1986)

The Leo B. Hart Humanitarian Award is given for outstanding contributions to social justice and welfare. The award is named after the late Leo Brown Hart, a UArizona alumnus who recognized the plight of children who had migrated west during the Great Depression. Immortalized in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, these children were ostracized as “dumb Okies” and turned away from California schools … until Hart stepped forward. He and 50 migrant children built their own school — referred to as the School at Weedpatch Camp — in a nearby field. Hart then recruited teachers who shared his concern for outcast children. Together, they turned the school from a place for outcasts into an overwhelming success. Many children went on to become judges, professors, and business persons.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Plaque

Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Award for Volunteer Service to Students (est. 2010)

The Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Award for Volunteer Service to Students is given to an individual whose personal involvement with University of Arizona students has enhanced the quality of student life at UArizona. Preference is given to an alumnus or alumna of the university, but it is not a requirement. The award is named in honor of Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson, a long-time loyal alumnus who arrived at the University of Arizona in 1946 from Willcox, Arizona. “Swede” became very involved on campus as president of the State Future Farmers of America, AZ Assoc., Sigma Chi Fraternity and Bobcats, Senior Honorary. He also was on the Livestock Judging Team, a member of Alpha Zeta, national agricultural honorary, Chain Gang, junior honorary and the ASUA Board of Control, overseeing the finances for the University Student Body and their organizations. Graduating with a major in Animal Science in 1950, “Swede” never left the university. He served as a graduate assistant in the Athletic Department, director of the Student Union, president of the Alumni Association and UArizona Vice President of University Relations until 1977. “Swede” personified the spirit of volunteerism and youth through his service to the university as a student, employee and an alumnus. The Alumni Building is named in his honor.

  • Eligibility: Alumni-optional
    Form of award: Plaque

Outstanding Young Alumni Volunteer Award (est. 1999)

The Outstanding Young Alumni Volunteer Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated continued interest in and loyalty to the University of Arizona for a minimum of two years. The award will be given to an individual who has been out of school less than 10 years. Particular consideration is given to alumni who have taken the initiative to serve effectively on behalf of UArizona and who have responded to requests for service from the university.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Plaque

Professional Achievement Award (est. 2000)

The Professional Achievement Award is given to a person who has attained prominence in his or her field. Service to the university is not a requirement.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Plaque

Public Service Award (est. 1963)

The Public Service Award recognizes individuals who are present or past holders of public office. Recipients have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the public. Preference is given to an alumnus or alumna of the University of Arizona but is not a requirement. Service to the university is not a requirement.

  • Eligibility: Alumni-optional
  • Form of award: Plaque

Sidney S. Woods Alumni Service Award (est. 1941)

The Sidney S. Woods Alumni Service Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated unwavering interest in and loyalty to the University of Arizona for a minimum of 5 years. The award is given to an individual who has been out of school for more than 15 years. Particular consideration is given to alumni who have taken the initiative to serve effectively on behalf of UArizona and who have responded to requests for service from the university. The award honors the late Sidney S. Woods, a long-time loyal alumnus of the University of Arizona, who graduated in 1939. After a military career as a much decorated ace pilot in World War II, he became prominent in the field of agriculture and also was a member of the Arizona Board of Regents.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Plaque

Slonaker Award (est. 1961)

The Slonaker Award is given to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated continued interest in and loyalty to the University of Arizona for a minimum of five years. The award is given to an individual who has been out of school less than 15 years. Particular consideration is given to alumni who have taken the initiative to serve effectively on behalf of the university and who also have responded to requests for service from the university. Special consideration will be given to an individual who has received a degree from the university. The award recognizes the late Alter Louis Slonaker, a versatile University of Arizona athlete who lettered four times each in football, basketball, and baseball. He was the graduate manager of athletics from 1922 through 1947 and the dean of men from 1947 through 1963.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Plaque

Veterans Award for Distinguished Service (est. 2015)

The University of Arizona Veterans Award for Distinguished Service is given to a University of Arizona alumnus or alumna veteran who has made a positive impact on their local, national, international or veteran community, the University of Arizona or through their active military service. To be eligible, the nominee must be a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who received an honorable discharge. In general, active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Science Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey. When submitting the nomination for this award please reference the active full-time military service that qualifies the nominee for this Veterans Award for Distinguished Service.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Plaque

Wildcat Career Champion (est. 2019)

The Wildcat Career Champion Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to furthering the careers of Wildcats through mentoring, hiring or other career-related assistance. Preference is given to a University of Arizona alumnus/a but it is not a requirement. The award will be presented at an Arizona Alumni Association event or another mutually agreed upon venue.

  • Eligibility: Alumni-optional
  • Form of award: Trophy
  • Time of award: TBD
  • Number of awards: One per fiscal year (July 1–June 30)
  • Deadline: Please contact our office

Young Professional Achievement Award (est. 2010)

The Young Professional Achievement Award recognizes alumni age 40 and under who have attained prominence in their field.

  • Eligibility: Alumni
  • Form of award: Plaque