Award Guidelines and Information

Purpose

The purpose of the Alumni Awards is to provide recognition to the men and women of IMSA who deliver outstanding contributions to their field of endeavor, to IMSA, and to the citizens of Illinois, our nation and the world.

The awards are:

The Alumni Trailblazer Award: This award, bestowed when merited, honors alumni who personify IMSA’s philosophy statement that there will be alumni who “create new intellectual worlds, cure a dreaded human ailment or in some other way significantly influence life on our planet.” The outstanding achievements of these honorees will have earned national or international prominence for a groundbreaking or sweeping initiative that has redefined and improved the way significant numbers of citizens live, learn or work.

The Alumni Distinguished Leadership Award: This annual award goes to alumni who have made distinguished achievements or leadership contributions in their professional fields of endeavor consistent with IMSA’s mission. The awardees also may be recognized for significant civic or community contributions or for extraordinary courage and selflessness under challenging circumstances.

The Alumni Titan Award: This annual award honors alumni, who through outstanding service to IMSA, advance the institution’s mission and work. The honorees are enthusiastic and energetic IMSA champions who dedicate significant time, talent and/or treasure to endeavors that help the Academy fulfill its role in developing talent and leadership in mathematics, science and technology for our state, nation and world.

Eligibility

A. The nominee is an alumnus. An alumnus is any person who was enrolled in IMSA’s residential program and has remained in attendance for at least one semester.

B. The achievements of the nominee fulfill the criteria defined in one of the following awards:

Alumni Trailblazer Award: The nominee shall have earned national or international prominence for a groundbreaking and sweeping initiative that has redefined and improved the way significant numbers of citizens live, learn or work.

Alumni Distinguished Leadership Award: The nominee shall have made distinguished achievements or leadership contributions in his/her professional field of endeavor consistent with IMSA’s mission. The awardee also may have made significant civic or community contributions or may have exemplified extraordinary courage and selflessness under challenging circumstances.

Alumni Titan Award: The nominee, through outstanding service to IMSA, has advanced the institution’s mission and work. The nominee shall have dedicated significant time, talent and/or treasure to endeavors that help the Academy fulfill its role in developing talent and leadership in mathematics, science and technology for our state, nation and world.

Nomination Criteria

Nominations may be submitted by anyone. Self nominations are welcome.

All nominations must be in writing and must be accompanied by the requested biographical and other pertinent information.

Nomination forms can be located at www.imsa.edu/alumni/awards or can be obtained from the Advancement Office by calling 630-907-5041.

Applications can be sent electronically to cjohnson@imsa.edu.  Print applications should be sent to: Carolyn Johnson, Coordinator of Alumni Engagement, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506.

Please note that nominations may be submitted at any time, but must be postmarked or electronically submitted by January 31 to be considered for the current year’s awards program.  Those nominations not chosen for the current year will be kept and considered in the following year.  After the second consideration, a nomination must be resubmitted.

Selection of the Recipients

The Alumni Awards selection process will consist of:

An IMSA committee, appointed by the Advancement Office, will review all applications and present recommended award candidates to the Board of Trustees Executive Committee.

The Board of Trustees Executive Committee will review the recommendations and make the final selection.

Award Presentations

The Alumni Awards will be presented at an IMSA special event held in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend.