Awards

The Washington State University Alumni Association Board of Directors has established awards in several categories to honor alumni and friends of WSU who personify the University’s tradition of excellence, thereby bringing distinction to themselves and to our alma mater through their exceptional achievements, contributions to society, and extraordinary service to WSU.

Recognizing outstanding alumni is one way the WSU Alumni Association shows its commitment to making WSU stronger. These honorees represent just a few of the thousands of alumni who contribute in countless ways to their fellow alumni, to the Alumni Association, to the University, to their communities, to their professions and areas of interest, and to humankind.

Alumni Achievement Award,  Honorary Alumnus/a Award,  Cougar Pride Award,  Adopted Cougar Award,  Volunteer Service Awards

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WSU Alumni Association Spring 2024 awards nominations are now closed.

The Fall 2024 cycle will be open February 16-August 30, 2024.

In an effort to streamline the Awards process, we are now using the Reviewr platform to submit and review WSUAA Award nominations. To submit a nomination, follow these steps:

  • Visit the WSUAA Awards Submission Page
  • Create a Reviewr account by clicking on the "CREATE AN ACCOUNT & NOMINATE" button on the right
  • Create as many Awards nominations as you'd like
  • Feel free to save your nomination(s) and return at a later time to submit by logging in to your Reviewr account
  • Once the nomination is complete, click "SUBMIT"
  • After submitting your nomination(s), you can return to edit any details up until the submission deadline
  • All nominations for Fall 2024 are due by August 30, 2024. Nominations submitted after this deadline will be evaluated in the Spring 2025 cycle.

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    ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

    AWARD RECIPIENTS
     NOMINATION FORM: Submit Online

    The highest honor given to alumni by the WSU Alumni Association, the Alumni Achievement Award was created by the WSUAA Board of Directors in 1970. Its purpose is "To recognize and honor alumni who have given outstanding service...and provide encouragement to alumni for perpetual service to Washington State University." The individual "shall have rendered significant service to Washington State University and/or outstanding contributions to community and/or profession and/or nation." Out of the estimated 250,000 people who have attended WSU since it was founded in 1890, just over 500 alumni have ever received this prestigious award.


     HONORARY ALUMNUS/A AWARD (alumnus or alumna) 

    AWARD RECIPIENTS
    NOMINATION FORM: Submit Online

    This award was established as the highest honor for non-alumni in 1966 by the Alumni Association Board of Directors to honor friends of Washington State University who have given special service to the University in some manner.

    COUGAR PRIDE AWARD

    AWARD RECIPIENTS
    NOMINATION FORM: Submit Online

    This award was established to recognize alumni, former students or friends of WSU who have consistently demonstrated extraordinary spirit and pride in support of the University, the Alumni Association, and related organizations. The recipient will exemplify a positive image of WSU, inspiring loyalty and pride in their fellow Cougs.

    ADOPTED COUGAR AWARD

    NOMINATION FORM: Submit Online

    Any person who exhibits genuine loyalty and affection for Washington State University and fully knows and understands that special allegiance known as "Cougar Spirit"; may be sponsored by any alumni or friends for adoption by the Alumni Association. 

    Adopting a Cougar is easy and affordable. An Adopted Cougar will receive a one-year membership in the WSU Alumni Association, a special Adopted Cougar recognition certificate, a lapel pin, and all the great benefits and services enjoyed by Alumni Association members. It also makes a great gift and an excellent way to reward loyal supporters of WSU who did not attend WSU. To make someone who loves WSU an Adopted Cougar call the Alumni Association at 509-335-6949 or click on the link above.

    Photo: Scott Adams receives the Adopted Cougar Award from Kirk and Noel Schulz at the 2019 Health Innovation Summit.

    VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS

    NOMINATION FORM: Submit Online

    DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

    The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor the WSUAA bestows upon individuals whose volunteer service has made a demonstrative impact on WSU and exhibits an unwavering commitment to the University. This award recognizes those who have exemplified industriousness, loyalty, collaboration, inclusion, and pride and have made a significant impact on the overall advancement of the mission of University and/or the Alumni Association.

    OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD 

    The Outstanding Volunteer Award is bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate their dedication to the University and/or the Alumni Association by epitomizing the spirit of service, leadership, and loyalty. Awarded for a specific effort, it can be won more than once.

    OUTSTANDING RECENT GRAD SERVICE AWARD 

    The Outstanding Recent Grad Service Award is presented to alumni who attended WSU within ten years of graduation. This individual must have demonstrated continued interest in and loyalty to the University and have excelled in service and contributions to the Alumni Association, and/or WSU, and/or community, and/or profession, and/or nation.

    STAFF SERVICE AWARD 

    The Staff Service Award is presented to WSU staff who have gone above and beyond in their volunteer work for the WSU community, and/or university, and/or the Alumni Association. These staff members have brought honor to WSU through volunteering outside of their jobs to make an impact in the lives of people in the Cougar community.

    FACULTY SERVICE AWARD 

    The Faculty Service Award is presented to WSU faculty who have gone above and beyond in their volunteer work for the WSU community, and/or university, and/or the Alumni Association. These faculty members have brought honor to WSU through volunteering outside of their jobs to make an impact in the lives of people in the Cougar community.

    OUTSTANDING STUDENT VOLUNTEER AWARD 

    The Outstanding Student Volunteer Award is bestowed upon undergraduate or graduate students who have demonstrated true Cougar spirit through their exemplary leadership, execution of an event or program, or other unique contribution(s) to the WSU community, and/or university, and/or the Alumni Association.

     

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    PLEASE NOTE:

    • No person may nominate a spouse, brother/sister, child, stepchild, niece/nephew, or grandchild for the Alumni Achievement Award, Honorary Alumnus/a Award, Cougar Pride Award, or a Volunteer Service Award.
    • Self-nominations are not accepted. 
    • We do not grant posthumous awards to deceased persons.
    • Elected and appointed officials are not eligible for the Alumni Achievement Award, Honorary Alumnus/a Award, or Cougar Pride Award while in their position.