Penn State University Awards
Distinguished Alumni Award
Established by the Board of Trustees in 1951, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor that The Pennsylvania State University bestows upon an outstanding alumna or alumnus. The award salutes the achievements of outstanding alumni whose personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater.
Past Recipients of Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award
Alumni Fellow Award
The Alumni Fellow Award is the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association. Since 1973, the Award has been given to select alumni who, as leaders in their professional fields, are nominated by an academic college, and accept an invitation from the President of the University to return to the campus to share their expertise with students, faculty, and administrators. The award provides a dimension to the academic curriculum not otherwise available in the traditional college classroom. The title of Alumni Fellow is permanent and lifelong.
Past Recipients of the Alumni Fellow Award
The selection committee includes, but is not limited to, the provost of the University, the vice president for development and university relations, the executive director of university relations, a member of the Alumni Council, and the executive director of the Alumni Association.
Alumni Achievement Award
The nominee for this award must be a graduate of Penn State Harrisburg and should meet one or more of the following criteria: be of under 35 years of age, active in community affairs, demonstrated leadership in his/her profession, and/or significant contribution to the betterment of society.
Past Recipients of the Penn State Alumni Achievement Award
Honorary Alumni Award
The Honorary Alumni Awards have been given by the Penn State Alumni Association since 1973 to honor people who are not graduates of Penn State University but have made significant contributions toward its welfare, reputation, or prestige. The award is given only when the Alumni Association wishes to honor an exceptional person. The award is life membership in the Penn State Alumni Association and a cast bronze medallion.
Past Recipients of the Penn State Honorary Alumni Award
Penn State Harrisburg Awards
The Penn State Harrisburg Alumni Society annually awards the Alumni Achievement Award to Penn State Harrisburg alumni which are presented at the annual fall award reception. The group also awards a People to Watch Award and President's Award as needed. The awards program gives the society an opportunity to recognize outstanding alumni. In addition, the society offers an annual Graduating Senior Award and Graduate Student Award.
Alumni Achievement Award
The Penn State Harrisburg Alumni Achievement Award is given to an alumnus who has risen to high levels of success and meets one or more of the following criteria: demonstrates leadership in his/her profession, is active in community affairs and/or has made a significant contribution to the betterment of society. An award is annually given to an alumnus from each of the five academic schools.
Past Recipients of the Penn State Harrisburg Alumni Achievement Award
People to Watch Award
To be eligible for the People to Watch Award, you must be graduate of Penn State Harrisburg and have made a significant contribution to the betterment of society and in one or more of the following areas: active in community affairs, advancing in his/her profession, achieved academic distinction at Penn State Harrisburg, involved in campus activities while at Penn State Harrisburg, active in community activities or professional organizations.
Past Recipients of the People to Watch AwardAlumni Awards Nomination Form