Purpose 

The Alumni Humanitarian Award is bestowed upon graduates of the University whose outstanding dedication and leadership has improved or enriched the lives of others and the welfare of humanity. Recipients embody the University’s historic commitment to public service and address the pressing humanitarian needs of our times.

Nomination and Selection Process

All recipients must be nominated for the honor. Working from these nominations, the awards committee of the UIS Alumni Board will select one (1) recipient per awards 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, it reserves the right to consider each nominee for other, more suitable recognition.

Criteria

• Nomination is required. Nominee must be living at the time of their nomination. Nominations will be considered active for five years.
• Nominee must hold an earned degree from the University of Illinois Springfield.
• Nominee must be an individual who is highly distinguished for his/her humanitarian contributions to society via their chosen business, profession, philanthropic or life’s work.
• Nominee must be a person of such stature, demonstrated ability and renown that alumni, students, faculty, and staff will take pride in and be inspired by their recognition.
• Nominee must be an individual who, thru deed or action, reflects the impact of education at the University of Illinois Springfield.
• Previous recipients are not eligible for reconsideration.
• Current members of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees; UIS Alumni Board; 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 awarded posthumously.

Alumni Humanitarian Award Past Recipients

2025
Tami S. Silverman
MPA '05, DPA '20
Julie A. Pryde
MPA '19 CPAE