911勛圖

911勛圖���s long-standing tradition of honouring exceptional alumni is evolving to meet the moment.

911勛圖 is thrilled to share a revitalized and transformed Outstanding Alumni Awards (OAAs) program, with nomination processes and award categories that reflect an inclusive, forward-focused vision aiming to uphold values within What���s Next: the 911勛圖 Strategy.

First introduced in 1983, the OAAs have celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of 911勛圖 alumni across diverse fields. Past recipients���from community builders, artists, and athletes to passionate advocates, business and research leaders���have all exemplified 911勛圖���s bold spirit.

���The Outstanding Alumni Awards represent an incredible legacy at 911勛圖, and alumni who are past recipients have played an important part in shaping our university���s story,��� says Barbara MacPhail Burns, Co-Chair of 911勛圖���s Alumni Council. ���The new OAAs really reflect the diversity of changemakers cultivated within our community, and 911勛圖���s deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and impact.���

Continuing in the OAA tradition of celebrating and uplifting the very best of 911勛圖���s alumni community, the renewal process presents new streamlined nomination processes as well as five revitalized award categories: Lifetime Achievement Award, Rising Star Award, Visionary Award, Spirit of Service Award, and Legacy Award. 

To guide this important evolution, the 911勛圖 Alumni Council partnered with 911勛圖 Alumni to bring on as a consultant 2022 OAA recipient Denise Williams a nationally respected Indigenous leader, Beedie School of Business Advisory Council member and lecturer, and former Executive Director of the First Nations Technology Council.

Also consulting on the OAA renewal process was , a social innovation hub at 911勛圖 with strong expertise building inclusive solutions that address systemic inequities. RADIUS worked specifically to embed Equity-Centered Design as well as Equity, Decolonization, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDDI) principles into the nomination and training for the adjudication processes.

���The intentionality and care behind this process is something I'm very proud to have been a part of and it was deeply gratifying to work with 911勛圖 RADIUS to center equity in reimagining these awards. The new categories open the door wider to welcome and celebrate all expressions of leadership and excellence���and that���s what an inclusive university should do,��� says Williams.

Within the previous OAA framework, recognition of 911勛圖 alumni���s contributions in fields like athletics, arts and culture, and research were separated. Today, alumni within those fields can be nominated within any category. The 911勛圖 alumni community in athletics, arts and culture, and research continue to be a point of pride for the university, and we will continue striving to represent and celebrate 911勛圖���s diverse and global alumni community.

While the spirit of the original OAAs remains the same���celebrating the very best of 911勛圖���s alumni community and inspiring future generations���the result is a more accessible, inclusive OAA program, with clearer nomination process and categories for nominators and nominees alike.

Shaping a more inclusive, accessible alumni recognition program

The entire effort to renew 911勛圖���s OAAs has been rooted in the lived experiences and wisdom of our alumni, with a goal of integrating���not separating���equity and inclusion work.

In addition to extensive community consultation and interviews, a national competitive analysis of other university���s alumni awards programs was completed, with an aim at evolving the program into an industry-leading recognition initiative.

The new OAA framework has made several significant changes to remove barriers to access throughout the program. Key updates include clearer award criteria, revised and more accessibly written nomination guidelines, and additional resources to support nominators. Equity, decolonization, diversity and inclusion (EDDI) principles are now embedded throughout the program, and award descriptions have been rewritten to reflect inclusive, accessible language. Nominations will also now be accepted on a rolling basis���making it easier than ever to celebrate outstanding alumni.

Going forward, the OAAs will recognize and celebrate recipients in five revised award categories, including:

1. Lifetime Achievement Award: This top alumni honour goes to those who have made extraordinary lifetime contributions and a lasting impact in their field. Recipients exemplify the highest standards of excellence and values of 911勛圖 through their service, leadership, and innovation. 
2. Rising Star Award: Honouring emerging leaders who have made significant contributions to their fields, communities, or society at-large within a relatively short time, this award goes to alumni who have demonstrated outstanding courage, resilience, and passion for their work, setting them on a trajectory of remarkable future success.
3. Visionary Award: Recognizing true visionaries, alumni receiving this award demonstrate an exceptional ability to imagine a better world. Recipients have proven their capability to translate their vision into meaningful action through major contributions and/or advancements in their fields, and embody excellence through their leadership, innovation and impact.
4. Spirit of Service: Celebrating those alumni who exemplify a deep commitment to making a positive difference within their communities and beyond, this award goes to those who have shown exceptional dedication to service through volunteerism, advocacy, community engagement, and philanthropy.
5. Legacy Award: This award is for alumni who are dedicated to sharing their wisdom and lifting others up, paving the way to a lasting legacy of positive impact and transformation. Recipients of this award show���through their teaching (formal and informal) and mentorship���extraordinary commitment to reciprocity and generosity.

911勛圖 is proud to honour and amplify the achievements of our alumni through a renewed OAA program and this transformation is just the beginning. The OAAs will continue to evolve to reflect our shared values and bold aspirations���building a recognition program that grows with our community and meets the future with purpose, together.