Summary
WAA would love your help spreading the word about award nominations so that we can amass a pool of high-quality nominees who inspire Badger pride and highlight UW–Madison’s tradition of excellence.
2024 Alumni Awards
The Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) annually recognizes alumni who exemplify the Wisconsin Idea, enhancing the positive influence of the university on campus as well as beyond its borders.
Alumni Award nominations are now open at uwalumni.com/awards. Nominations received by January 5, 2024, will be considered for 2024 Awards, which will be announced in summer 2024. Please consider nominating alumni from your school or college who meet the criteria for one or more of the award categories below:
- The Distinguished Alumni Award is WAA’s highest honor. It celebrates UW–Madison graduates for their professional achievements, contributions to society, and support of the university over the course of their career or lifetime. Past recipients include former Wisconsin senator Herb Kohl ’56, actor André De Shields ’70, and brain researcher Ann McKee ’75.
- The Luminary Award recognizes alumni at least 15 years from graduation who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their professions or in the areas of service and philanthropy.
- The Forward Award acknowledges rising stars in various fields within 15 years of graduation who exemplify the Wisconsin Idea through an emphasis on service, discovery, and progress.
Please share widely with your faculty and staff, graduates of your school or college, and anyone else who might be interested in honoring UW–Madison graduates. Help spread the word by promoting nomination information in your publications, emails, website, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) using the handle @WisAlumni and #WisAlumni.
Sample Communications
SAMPLE PUBLICATION NOMINATIONS COPY:
The Wisconsin Alumni Association® is accepting nominations for its annual alumni awards at uwalumni.com/awards. Please consider nominating outstanding UW–Madison graduates for Distinguished Alumni, Forward, or Luminary Awards.
SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS AND IMAGES
General Awards Post:
Know any [insert school or college tag here] alumni who deserve to be honored by their alma mater for exceptional career and community-service achievements? The 2024 Wisconsin Alumni Association alumni awards nominations are now open. Visit uwalumni.com/awards and complete the nomination form by January 5, 2024. #WisAlumni
Distinguished Alumni Award Post:
Know any [insert school or college tag here] alumni who deserve a Distinguished Alumni Award — the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s highest honor — for outstanding lifetime achievements? The 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award nominations are now open. Visit uwalumni.com/awards and complete the nomination form by January 5, 2024. #WisAlumni
Luminary Award Post:
Know any [insert school or college tag here] alumni at least 15 years from graduation who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their professions — and/or in service and philanthropy? Nominate them for a Wisconsin Alumni Association Luminary Award. Visit uwalumni.com/awards and complete the nomination form by January 5, 2024. #WisAlumni
Forward Award Post:
Know any [insert school or college tag here] alumni within 15 years of graduation who deserve to be honored by their alma mater? Nominate them for a 2024 Wisconsin Alumni Association Forward Award, which acknowledges rising stars who exemplify the Wisconsin Idea. Visit uwalumni.com/awards and fill out the nomination form by January 5, 2024. #WisAlumni
IMPORTANT URLS:
Wisconsin Alumni Association Awards Program:
uwalumni.com/awards
Distinguished Alumni Award:
https://uwalumni.com/about/alumni-awards/distinguished-alumni-award/
Luminary Award:
uwalumni.com/about/alumni-awards/luminary-award
Forward Award:
uwalumni.com/about/alumni-awards/forward-award
Nomination form:
uwalumni.com/about/alumni-awards/nomination-form
Digital assets available to download:
go.wisc.edu/waa2024awards
General Wisconsin Alumni Association media resources and logos:
uwalumni.com/about/for-news-media
CONTACT INFORMATION
Andrea Berns
Administrative Program Director
608-308-5172, andrea.berns@supportuw.org
COMMUNICATIONS TIMELINE
Print:
- September — On Wisconsin Fall Magazine
Emails:
- October 16 — Nominations Open General Email
- TBD — Digital Badger Insider
- TBD — Badger Vibes
- January 2 — Last Chance General Email
Social Media and Ads:
- WAA organic posts and ads — November 1–January 5
- Inside UW Ads — October 19, November 7, December 5, December 19
- Flamingle Ads — October 13 and December 22