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Award Nominations

The Alumni Association presents several annual awards to recognize, honor, and reward outstanding accomplishment and service to the Alumni Association and MIT. Nominations for awards can be submitted online.

  • The Bronze Beaver Award is the highest honor the Association can bestow upon any alumni volunteer. It is given to recognize distinguished service to the Alumni Association and/or the Institute.
  • The Henry B. Kane '24 Award is given in recognition of exceptional service and accomplishments in the area of fundraising for the Institute.
  • The Harold E. Lobdell '17 Distinguished Service Award is given in recognition of alumni relations service of special depth over a sustained period.
  • The George B. Morgan '20 Award recognizes sustained excellence in all aspects of Educational Council activity. This includes dedication to MIT, an abiding concern for the interests of prospective students, and exceptional standards of achievement and professionalism in meeting Council responsibilities.
  • The Great Dome Award recognizes distinguished service to the Alumni Association and MIT by alumni organizations. Like the Bronze Beaver for individuals, this award is given to groups in recognition of distinguished service to the Institute or the Association.
  • Honorary Membership in the Alumni Association:The constitution of the Alumni Association states, "anyone who has rendered outstanding service to the Association or the Institute" may be elected to Honorary Membership. This includes any present or former member of the Corporation, any present or former officer of administration or instructor on the staff of the Institute, as well as their spouses.

Nominate someone for an award

The Awards Committee meets in February of each year to review all nominations. The committee presents recommendations for awards to the Association's Board of Directors for approval at the Board's March meeting. Winners are announced in April/May and awards are persented at the annual Alumni Leadership Conference in the fall.

Nominations for 2012 awards were due by November 18, 2011. However, we welcome nominations at any time throughout the year for future year consideration. Nominations for awards can be submitted online.

Award Nominations Timeline for the 2011-2012period

  • November 18, 2011: Nominations for awards due.
  • January 2012: Alumni Association staff compile all nominations and supporting materials for review by Alumni Association Awards Committee.
  • February 2012: Alumni Association Awards Committee meets to select award recipients.
  • March 2012: Alumni Association Board of Directors meets to approve award recipients recommended by Awards Committee.
  • Late March/April 2012: Award recipients are notified.
  • Late April/May 2012: Award nominators are notified of list of recipients. Award recipients are announced in various Alumni Association online publications and online.
  • September 2012: Bronze Beaver, Lobdell, Kane, Great Dome Awards, and Honorary Membership recipients are honored during the Alumni Leadership Conference awards gala

Submit your nomination for awards online.

What should you consider when thinking of appropriate candidates for awards?

  • Surface names of potential candidates by talking with others from your class, club, chapter or group, and consult the Association staff member with whom you most closely work.
  • Determine whether you can clearly articulate what is distinguished about the candidate’s MIT volunteer service and leadership. A  statement of support is required for each nomination. Your statement should support the criteria for a particular award; include your knowledge of the nominee’s volunteer work for MIT, and cite specific successes. If nominating a group for the Great Dome Award, outline the group’s contribution and consider its impact.
  • Ask others to support the nomination and incorporate their thoughts and perspectives to help strengthen your nomination statement.