Westfield State University
Distinguished Alumnus Award Guidelines
Responsible Office: Alumni Relations Office
Approved-On Date: September, 2010
Effective Date: October 23, 2010
Revision Date:
The Westfield State Alumni Association Executive Council through the approval process outlined
below and culminating with a vote of the Alumni Executive Council confers this award to Westfield
State alumni who have distinguished themselves in professional and/or community service since
graduation from Westfield State.
Process
1. Nomination. Anyone may make a nomination to the Distinguished Alumnus Award Committee.
The nomination should include the completed Distinguished Alumnus Award application form
(Appendix A) including an explanation of what qualifies the nominee for this award. Any
additional information, including resumes may also be included. Nominations must be made
yearly by July 15 for the award presentation at the annual meeting during the October
Homecoming.
For nominees, the committee shall consider the information and documentation contained in
the nomination application, and may also review other pertinent information.
In no instance may the committee members disclose the names of alumni nominated or
recommended for the Distinguished Alumnus Award. All committee members shall maintain
the strict confidentiality of the nomination process. Letters of support of the nomination shall
not be solicited. In no instance shall the alumnus nominated for this award be notified of his or
her nomination other than through the President of the Westfield State Alumni Association
Executive Council or his/her designee.
Nominations are submitted to the Distinguished Alumnus Award Committee composed of the
following members:
President and President Elect of the Westfield State Alumni Association Executive
Council
Members of the Awards, Scholarship, and Recognition Committee
Director of the Alumni Programs (non-voting)
2. Candidacy. A nominee may become a recommended candidate only by the action of the
Distinguished Alumnus Award Committee. No active member of the Awards, Scholarship, and
Recognition Committee is eligible for this award.
3. Selection Process. It is the Distinguished Alumnus Award Committee’s responsibility to review
the submitted nomination applications and any documentation of each nominee and to
recommend approved nominees to the full Westfield State Alumni Association Executive
Council. The Committee will focus on the accomplishments of each nominee since graduation.
A simple majority vote by the Committee will determine its recommendation for each nominee.
Distinguised Alumnus Award (Page two)
4. Alumni Executive Council Approval. The Chairperson of the Awards, Scholarship, and
Recognition Committee will present the approved candidates to the full Westfield State Alumni
Association Executive Council for a vote. A simple majority vote by the Westfield State Alumni
Association Executive Council will determine the final approval for each nominee for the
Distinguished Alumnus Award. In no instance shall the alumnus nominated for this award be
notified of his or her nomination other than through the President of the Westfield State
Alumni Association Executive Council or his/her designee. The nominees recommended but
not approved by the Alumni Executive Council shall remain confidential. The committee is
responsible for notifying the non-recipient nominators of the decision with a request for future
re-nomination one week prior to the public announcement of the award.
5. Public Announcements. After the President of the Westfield State Alumni Association
Executive Council has informed the candidate of his/her award selection and confirmed his/her
attendance for the award presentation during homecoming weekend, pubic announcements
will be made. Public announcements of this award will be handled through the Westfield State
and the Alumni Office. Recipients will receive a letter of recognition from the President of the
University.
6. Presentation. The President of the Westfield State Alumni Association Executive Council or
designee will present the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the annual meeting during
homecoming weekend in October. The candidate or his/her designee should be available to
receive the award.
Appendix A
To nominate a candidate for the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the following form must be completed
and either mailed or submitted electronically to:
Westfield State Alumni Association Executive Council
c/o Westfield State Alumni Office
333 Western Avenue
Westfield, MA 01086
kbradford@westfield.ma.edu
Appendix A
Westfield State
Distinguished Alumnus Award Application
(Additional sheets may be used. Additional information and documentation may be attached.)
Date of Nomination:
Nominee:
Year(s) of Graduation:
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Nominator (Redacted for blind review):
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Since graduation list accomplishments of nominee:
Professional Experience:
Community Service:
Membership in Community and/or Professional Organizations:
Awards/Recognitions:
Explain what qualifies him/her for this award:
Additional Information:
Applications must be postmarked by July 15 of the year of nomination.
Send to: Kathi Bradford, Alumni Office, Westfield State, 333 Western Ave., Westfield, MA 01086 kbradford@westfield.ma.edu Note: The nominee or his/her Designee should be available to accept
award at the annual meeting during Homecoming in October.