Alumni Awards Selection Criteria
A longstanding university tradition, Alumni Awards is an annual event that recognizes the outstanding achievement, service and support of UNT's alumni and friends. The honors are bestowed each spring at a special dinner.
The Alumni Awards Selection Committee is asked to make every effort to select recipients of the highest caliber, giving equal consideration to all who have achieved excellence in their respective fields. The University of North Texas seeks to deliver a balanced slate of honorees with high visibility, donors, potential donor prospects and non-donor prospects alike.
Help us identify those most deserving of these prestigious honors for the 2013 awards.
Nomination Details
- Nominations will be solicited from alumni, faculty, staff and friends of UNT.
- With the exception of the Ulys Knight Spirit Award, all nominees must have attended the University of North Texas.
- With the exception of the Ulys Knight Spirit Award, officers of the university are not eligible for consideration during their terms of service.
- Potential nominees who are associated with the university, its governing board, the State government, or State regulatory boards or agencies should be nominated only after they no longer hold their respective positions.
- Nominators are asked to complete a short online profile regarding their nominee(s) and submit any supporting materials via e-mail, if desired.
- Nominations must be submitted to the Office of Development by the deadline set each year.
- Nominees will be compiled and researched for proper qualifications. Qualified candidates shall be delivered to the selection committee for consideration.
- Nominations are confidential and it is expected that all candidates will remain unaware of their nomination.
- Upon nomination for an award, data will be kept on file indefinitely for potential future consideration.
Additional information and guidelines for each award
Distinguished Alumni Award
A maximum of two awards are presented each year
Selection criteria
- The Distinguished Alumni Award is the most prestigious award given by the University of North Texas. It recognizes alumni for: (1.) distinguished professional achievement that has merited the honor and praise of peers and colleagues; (2.) significant contributions to society, and (3.) service to their fellow man; thus reflecting extraordinary credit on UNT.
- This award is to be presented only one time to an individual. Therefore, all previous recipients are ineligible for subsequent consideration by the selection committee.
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
A maximum of two awards are presented each year
Selection criteria
- This award is presented to young alumni for: (1.) distinguished career achievement and (2.) community service and/or commitment to the university.
- This award is to be presented to an individual under the age of 40. All recipients of this award are eligible for a future distinguished nomination.
Outstanding Alumni Service Award
One award is presented each year
Selection criteria
- This award is intended to recognize an alumna/alumnus for outstanding service or accomplishments for the university.
- Preference will be given to alumni who are currently serving the university or who have done so consistently during the past five years.
Ulys Knight Spirit Award
One award is presented each year to an individual, couple or group
Selection criteria
- This award is presented to any person or group who has shown spirit, enthusiasm, and motivation through the contribution of time and energy to a program or activity deemed to have benefited the university family.
- Previous group recipients are eligible for nomination again after five years.

