We're excited to announce the launch of the Distinguished Alumni Award, established to honor the outstanding achievements of our graduates. In collaboration with the Alumni Council, the department will select the inaugural recipient, with the first award presented in May 2026.
We invite nominations for deserving alumni, including self-nominations. If you know of someone who embodies a commitment to the values and mission of the Department of Communication through exceptional professional achievements or meaningful service to their community or profession, please submit a nomination by January 15.
Anyone can nominate alumni of the department. Nominations should take the form of a letter to the department describing the nominee’s distinguished accomplishments and contributions. Additional supporting materials (e.g., résumé, letter of support) may be included but are not required.
The letter should include:
- Name of nominator
- Email of nominator
- Phone number of nominator
- Name of nominee
- Email of nominee
- Phone number of nominee
- Degree(s) earned by the nominee
- Year(s) of graduation
- An argument for why the nominee should be considered for this award.
The deadline for receiving nominations is January 15.
*Current department employees and members of the Alumni Council are not eligible.
Email submissions to: communication@illinois.edu (Put “Distinguished Alumni Award Nomination” in the subject line.)
Nominations also accepted by mail:
Department of Communication
Attn: Alumni Council
3001 Lincoln Hall, MC-456
702 S. Wright St
Urbana, IL 61801
The Award Winner will be honored as part of the department’s Illinois Tradition Awards, which takes place in the afternoon of Reading Day in the Spring Semester (typically on a Thursday in the first half of May).
Nominations that do not result in an award will be held over for up to two years for further consideration in the following years.