Alumni Awards

Each year, the NAA recognizes accomplished alumni, promising students and a retired faculty member at a variety of awards programs and events. The award winners are chosen by a selection committee of UNL alumni from across the country. 

2025 Winner Bios »  |  Previous alumni award winners »

Nominations

Nominations are accepted for the Family Tree, Distinguished Service and Public Service awards in the fall. Nominators are encouraged to submit a letter of nomination describing the nominee’s accomplishments and why you believe he/she is deserving of the award.

The Awards Committee reviews nominations for the Family Tree, Distinguished Service and Public Service alumni awards and recommends recipients. Alumni award nominators and recipients are notified before the end of each calendar year. Alumni award recipients are awarded in the spring at our annual Medallion Dinner.

Award Guidelines

Guidelines

1. Recipients MUST attend the awards ceremony to receive an award. If a recipient is unable to attend during the year in which they were selected, they may defer to the following year.
   
   
2. If an individual has previously received an alumni association award in another category he/she is not exempt from receiving another award.
   
   
3. The awards committee will accept nominations from any alumnus, friend or alumni affiliate organization of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
   
   
4. Only nominees chosen to receive an award will be notified of their selection/nomination.

Alumni Categories

Alumni Family Tree Award

Established in 1995 to honor one family consisting of at least three generations of University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates. At least two family members must have a record of outstanding service to the university, the alumni association, their community and/or their profession. This award is presented at the annual Medallion Dinner hosted by the NAA and the Chancellor's Office each spring. Nominations will open again in the fall.  

Distinguished Service Award

Established in 1940 for alumni who have a record of distinguished service to the Nebraska Alumni Association and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This award is presented at the annual Medallion Dinner hosted by the NAA and the Chancellor's Office each spring. Nominations will open again in the fall. 

Public Service Award

Established in 2018, the Public Service Award honors Nebraskans who have a record of outstanding service benefiting the advancement of the university. The recognition is open to any Nebraska elected official, public employee, appointee or volunteer who has made contributions of support though the public sector. The association seeks to recognize alumni at all stages of their lives and careers, including young alumni. This award is presented at the annual Medallion Dinner hosted by the NAA and the Chancellor's Office each spring. Nominations will open again in the fall.  

Doc Elliott Award

Selection process takes place in the summer and the award is presented in the fall. 
Established in 1986, the Doc Elliott award is named in honor of Curt “Doc” Elliott. Dr. Elliott, although nationally known for his reputation as an economist specializing in insurance, was known for the rapport he established with his students in UNL’s College of Business Administration. Doc Elliott’s classes were vastly popular, so much so that he taught by television and lectured across the state. This award honors a retired UNL faculty member who has exhibited a record of exemplary service, whose caring has made a difference in the lives of students and alumni and who has gone beyond traditional expectations. Recipients must be former faculty members of UNL who have been retired at least five years. 

 

Student Categories

The following awards are honored annually during the spring semester. Nominations for student awards for 2025 are closed and will open again in January 2026. Please send your questions to Grace Puccio at grace.puccio@huskeralum.org. 

Shane Osborn Award/Scholarship***

Established in 2002 to honor Lieutenant Shane J. Osborn, a UNL Naval ROTC graduate who on April 1, 2001 courageously piloted a U.S. reconnaissance plane to a safe crash landing after it was hit by two Chinese fighters. Subsequently, Lt. Osborn endured an aggressive interrogation and, along with the rest of his crew, eleven days of captivity by the Chinese government. The Nebraska Alumni Association is pleased to annually recognize a student who demonstrates similar courage and integrity in his or her daily life. The student must attend UNL in the semester following the recognition banquet to be eligible for the scholarship that accompanies this award. The award is not limited to students with ROTC involvement. Nominations for this award may be made by current students, faculty, staff or alumni. Nominations will open again in January 2026.

Howard and Judy Vann Student Leadership Award/Scholarship*

Established in 1999, this award recognizes one undergraduate student leader each year who has shown exceptional leadership capabilities through energetic participation in student activities, commendable classroom performance, and the personal integrity, perseverance and sense of humor demonstrated by those who successfully lead their peers. Undergraduate students who have achieved junior standing or higher, with a minimum grade point average of 2.5, are eligible for consideration. The student must attend UNL in the semester following the recognition banquet to be eligible for the scholarship that accompanies this award. Nominations for this award may be made by current students, faculty, staff or alumni. Nominations will open again in January 2026.    

Roy and Catherine Yaley Student Leadership Award/Scholarship*

Established in 2004, the Roy and Catherine Yaley Student Leadership Award is named in memory of a former alumni association president and his wife. Given annually, the award recognizes a student who has made a significant contribution of his or her time, talent and leadership to the Nebraska Alumni Association through one of the association's student programs or volunteer work at the association. Eligible students must apply for this award and must attend UNL in the semester following the recognition banquet to be eligible for the scholarship that accompanies the award. Applications will open again in January 2026.         

Jack and Sharon Miller Scholarship*

Established in 1987, the Jack Miller Scholarship honors a former executive vice president of the Nebraska Alumni Association, whose leadership and professionalism instituted many innovations, including the establishment of the Student Alumni Association. The scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the Student Alumni Association who has demonstrated leadership in and commitment to the organization. Eligible students must apply for this scholarship*, and must attend UNL in the semester following the recognition banquet to be eligible for the scholarship. Applications will open again in January 2026. 

 

*** Funds will be applied in two installments, one in the fall and one in the spring semester.