Purpose

The Alumni Rising Star Award is an honor bestowed upon alumni of the University to those graduates aged 35 or younger, or who have graduated within the previous five (5) years. Recognized are alumni who have demonstrated emerging and unique innovation, creativity and success in their chosen career, business or life’s work. 

Nomination and Selection Process

Recipients must be nominated for the award. Working from these nominations, the awards committee of the UIS Alumni Board selects one (1) recipient per awards presentation cycle. The award will be presented at an Alumni Association or University event.

Please be advised: Should the committee determine the nominee would be more appropriately honored by means of a different award, the committee reserves the right to consider each nominee for other more suitable recognition.

Criteria

• Nomination is required. Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination. Nominations will be considered active for five years unless the nominee no longer meets eligibility criteria.  
• Nominee must hold an earned degree from the University.
• Nominee must be an individual who distinguishes themselves for his/her chosen business, profession or life’s work, who has demonstrated emerging and unique innovation, creativity and success.
• Nominee must be a person of such stature, demonstrated ability and renown that alumni, students, faculty and staff of the University will take pride in and be inspired by his/her recognition.
• Nominee must be an individual who in deed or action reflects the importance of his/her education at the University.
• Previous recipients are not eligible for reconsideration.
• Current members of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees; the UIS Alumni Board, the awards committee; and relatives, employers or employees thereof are not eligible for consideration.
• Current faculty, staff and other employees of the University of Illinois are not eligible for consideration.
• Persons currently holding or running for elected state or federal public office in Illinois are not eligible for consideration.
• The award may not be conferred in absentia; however, it may be granted posthumously.

Alumni Rising Star Award Past Recipients