Alumni Award Nomination Form
Guidelines for Submitting Nominations
All nominees must be a former student, not necessarily a graduate, who has demonstrated recognizable accomplishments in his/her profession, business, avocation, or life service in such a way as to bring pride and honor to the University. All awards are approved by the OBU Alumni Association Board upon recommendation by the board’s executive committee. Documentation of the nominee’s information, contributions and achievements can be acquired by completing this form. In order for a nomination to be considered, supplementary documentation and other letters of recommendation are required and should also be attached. All awards are presented at Harvest Dinner during The Weekend each year.
There are many high performing, worthy OBU graduates. OBU taught us to excel while in school and gave us skills to excel in “the real world.” Added to that is our calling to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus in Phil. 3:14. All graduates have a high standard to live up to. OBU is blessed to have a multitude of graduates that have answered that call. So, writing a nomination that stands out can be daunting. Here are a few thoughts to help guide you:
- The committee is made up of the Alumni Board Executive Committee – the Alumni Board’s leadership. This committee has a mix of members from many past decades. As you write, consider that the people making the decisions on nominees probably do not know your nominee. This is your opportunity to help the Committee know them like you do.
- More is more. Every year the Committee receives nominations with very little information. These are the first cuts as the Committee brings the nominations into a manageable stack.
- Do not feel constrained by the size of the blanks on the form. Tell their story. Give details. Provide supporting documentation. The more the Committee sees your nominee through your eyes, the more likely your nominee will be awarded. Every year there are nominees that would have been considered, possibly awarded, if the nomination had more information.
- The best way to get more information is to contact the nominee for more information. It’s great to be able to surprise a nominee with an award they didn’t know was coming. However, you are more likely to get information to support your nomination that even you did not know if you contact them and ask them for information and documentation.
Thank you for your nomination. The Committee wants to find great candidates to award and recognize. Write a great nomination and make them work to find the best awardees.