Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards Nomination

The CU Denver Alumni Awards are your opportunity to recognize and thank Lynx alumni who have demonstrated outstanding support for CU Denver or who have excelled in their careers or in service to the community.

Nominations for the 2021 Alumni Awards are due by Sunday, November 15, 2020. In January, nominations are reviewed and by the Philanthropy and Awards Committee and awardees will be notified in February.

The Alumni Board and the Office of Advancement host the CU Denver Alumni Awards Celebration to recognize and celebrate awardees with the alumni community. The 2021 Virtual Alumni Award Celebration will take place on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

Nominations can be submitted by anyone from the CU Denver community, and individuals may self-nominate. Winners do not need to attend the Alumni Awards Celebration in order to receive their Alumni Award.

For questions regarding the Alumni Awards and the awarding process, please contact CU Denver Alumni at 303-315-2333 or email alumni@ucdenver.edu.  

Award Criteria

The Mack Easton Distinguished Alumni Award is the CU Denver Alumni Board’s highest honor. It is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to serving CU Denver, its students, and alumni. The award was developed by the CU Denver Alumni community in memory of D. Mack Easton, the Dean of the "Denver Extension Center" in the early sixties. His vision paved the way for the extension to become the diverse and dynamic urban research university it is today. Nominees may be drawn from the community at large and need not be alumni. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.
The Alumni Advocacy Award is presented to an individual that has championed the causes of higher education across the state of Colorado. Nominees may be drawn from the community at large and need not be alumni. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.
The Alumni Award for Excellence is presented to an alumnus/a who has excelled in their career field, and in service to the community, in support of CU Denver. Former students who did not receive a degree from CU Denver may also be considered. Non-degreed nominees must have attended CU Denver for a minimum of one academic year, or completed a certificate program, to be eligible for this award. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.
The Alumni Partner Appreciation Award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to CU Denver and its mission by working with their employer or other partner organization to develop opportunities for current students and alumni. This may include, but is not limited to, hiring pathways for CU Denver alumni or internships for current students. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.
The Recent Alumni Award is presented to a graduate of CU Denver, who is within five years of graduation. Eligible awardees are affecting positive change for the university community. They also understand the importance of engaging with the university, fellow alumni, and/or current students and are giving back (time, talent, and treasure) to support the future success of CU Denver. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.