Honoree Nominations
Selection Criteria & Process
Each year, the Northwestern Eagle Awards recognize University of Northwestern – St. Paul alumni who exemplify outstanding leadership, service, and Christian character. These honors celebrate graduates whose lives and work reflect the mission and values of the University. Awards are presented during Homecoming & Family Weekend.
Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna of the Year
The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna of the Year is the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the Northwestern alumni community. This award recognizes an alum whose life and career reflect sustained, exemplary, God-honoring leadership across every major sphere of influence.
Recipients demonstrate a longstanding record of excellence and faithfulness in all of the following areas:
- Professional distinction marked by significant achievement, influence, and integrity
- Leadership and service that has meaningfully strengthened their community and/or church
- Christ-centered faithfulness in the home, modeling godly character, commitment, and influence
This award honors alumni whose lives reflect a comprehensive legacy in their home, church, community, and world—one that consistently advances God’s purposes and brings distinction to the mission of the University of Northwestern.
Eagle On Mission Award
The Eagle On Mission Award honors alumni who are amplifying the gospel through a clear, compelling area of influence or calling. Unlike the Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna award, this recognition highlights depth of impact in one or more key areas, rather than a lifetime of comprehensive achievement.
Recipients exemplify Christ-centered leadership through one or more of the following:
- God-glorifying excellence and influence in their profession
- Transformational leadership and service within their community and/or church
- Christ-centered leadership that equips and influences families and homes
This award celebrates alumni who are living on mission—faithfully leveraging their gifts, opportunities, and influence to serve God’s purposes in a tangible and visible way.
Rising Eagle Award
The Rising Eagle Award recognizes alumni age 29 and under who are already demonstrating exceptional promise, character, and Christ-centered leadership early in their professional and personal lives.
Recipients are distinguished not by longevity, but by trajectory—showing clear evidence that their faith, leadership, and influence are shaping the spaces God has entrusted to them.
Honorees demonstrate impact in one or more of the following areas:
- Early professional achievement marked by excellence, initiative, and integrity
- Emerging leadership and service within their community and/or church
- Christ-centered influence in the home, reflecting spiritual maturity and leadership
This award affirms and encourages the next generation of Northwestern alumni leaders as they continue to grow in faith, calling, and impact.
Buckles-Hanna Service Award (Service to the Northwestern Community)
The Buckles–Hanna Service Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary, selfless service to the University of Northwestern community. This honor is reserved for those whose faithful contributions have significantly advanced the university’s mission and vision.
Eligible recipients include faculty, staff, administrators, or volunteers (alumni, parents, friends)—past or present—who have gone above and beyond their role to serve Northwestern with excellence, humility, and longevity.
This award celebrates individuals whose commitment, leadership, and care have left a lasting imprint on the Northwestern community and strengthened the university for future generations.
Athletic Hall of Fame
The University of Northwestern Athletic Hall of Fame honors former student-athletes, coaches, teams, and individuals whose athletic excellence, Christ-centered character, and lasting impact have brought distinction to Northwestern Athletics. Inductees represent the highest standards of performance, integrity, and leadership, and have meaningfully contributed to the growth, reputation, and mission of the Northwestern athletic program.
This recognition celebrates those whose achievements on the field or court—combined with their character and influence—have left a lasting legacy within Northwestern Athletics.
Music & Theatre Hall of Recognition
The University of Northwestern Music & Theatre Hall of Recognition honors individuals whose artistic excellence, Christ-centered character, and lasting contributions have brought distinction to the Department of Music & Theatre and to the University as a whole. Inductees reflect the highest standards of integrity, creativity, and leadership, and have meaningfully influenced the department through performance, production, education, service, or advocacy for the arts.
This recognition celebrates those whose work and witness have strengthened the mission, reputation, and impact of Music & Theatre at Northwestern.
Media Arts Hall of Fame
The University of Northwestern – St. Paul Media Arts Hall of Fame honors alumni whose professional excellence, creative influence, Christ-centered character, and lasting impact have brought distinction to the Media Arts Department and advanced Northwestern’s mission to influence culture for Christ. Inductees represent the highest standards of achievement and integrity in fields such as media production, film, animation, content creation, broadcasting, digital and studio arts.
This recognition celebrates alumni whose work demonstrates the power of faith-informed creativity to shape culture, mentor others, and elevate the craft of media arts.
- While nominations are accepted at any time, they must be received by the end of February to be considered for this year’s awards.
- Recognition is extended to the person who has served quietly and faithfully, as well as to those who are widely recognized for their accomplishments.
- Persons nominated but not selected will continue to be considered the following year.
- Award recipients are honored each year at Homecoming & Family Weekend.
Nominations
The Alumni Council invites all members of the Northwestern community to submit nominees to be considered for the awards; alumni, students, parents of students and/or alumni, past and present faculty, staff, administration and volunteers.
Nominations should include as much supporting evidence as possible and may be submitted online, or mailed to:
Alumni & Family Engagement
University of Northwestern
3003 Snelling Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55113-1598
