Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Awards were authorized by the Board of Trustees in 1951. It is the University’s highest honor presented to its alumni.

The nomination cycle for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award will begin on July 15, 2025. Please check back at that time for the nomination form.

Nominations may include living alumni of Penn State “whose personal lives, professional achievements and community service exemplify the objectives of their Alma Mater.” For your information, links are provided to lists of the current Society of Distinguished Alumni membership, as well as to lists of previous recipients of Alumni Fellow and Alumni Achievement Awards.

Current members of the Board of Trustees, current employees of the University, and current officers and members of the Executive Board of the Alumni Association are not eligible for the award.

Please direct any questions about the award or candidate nominations to the Board Office at dku5025@psu.edu or 814-865-2521.