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CMU Alumni Awards
Celebrating Our Brightest Stars

The CMU Alumni Association proudly honors these members of the CMU community, all of whom have made an impact on their industries, their communities, their alma mater and others' lives around the world. 

The annual Alumni Awards event brings alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends together to celebrate those receiving the Founders Medal for Outstanding Service and Exceptional Achievement, Alumni Achievement Awards, Alumni Service Awards and Recent Alumni Awards.

2024 Alumni Awards Photo Album:

Carnegie Mellon Alumni Awards 2024
Nominate a Tartan
View honorees since 1950
Award Categories

Alumni Awards Categories

The Founders Medal is presented to an alumnus/a in recognition of both a longstanding record of service to and support for Carnegie Mellon University, and a record of professional or vocational achievements that are truly exceptional and have brought honor and prestige to themselves and to CMU. All alumni are eligible for this award, including those who have received prior alumni honors from the university or one of its colleges, schools or departments.

Awarded to an alumnus/a for exceptional accomplishment and leadership in the nominee's professional or vocational field, which brings distinction to themselves and honor to the university. The contribution(s) need not be publicly renowned but should represent important creative effort or accomplishment with significant impact and value.

Presented to an alumnus/a for volunteer service to the university or any of its alumni organizations. Several dimensions of service are considered, including breadth of service (service in multiple CMU volunteer roles), depth or longevity of service, and impact of volunteer service on the alumni organization and/or the university. Financial contributions are specifically excluded from consideration for this award, although volunteer service soliciting contributions on behalf of the university or service on CMU fundraising committees is applicable.

This award does not consider volunteer service to non-CMU organizations. Similarly, Carnegie Mellon employees or those alumni with business relationships to the university are not eligible on the basis of their employment duties or business services.

  • Recent Alumni Achievement Award: Awarded to an alumnus/a who received either a graduate or undergraduate degree from Carnegie Mellon University within the last 10 years for exceptional professional or vocational accomplishment.
  • Recent Alumni Service Award: Awarded to an alumnus/a who received either a graduate or undergraduate degree from Carnegie Mellon University within the last 10 years for volunteer service to the university or any of its alumni organizations.
    This award does not consider volunteer service to non-CMU organizations. Similarly, Carnegie Mellon employees or those alumni with business relationships to the university are not eligible on the basis of their employment duties or business services.

Nominations for 2025 Alumni Awards honorees are due by Nov. 17, 2024.

CMU Alumni Awards — Nominate a Deserving Tartan Today!

CMU's greatest assets are its people — the alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends who have forged CMU's legacy of innovation and excellence. Since 1950, the CMU Alumni Awards have recognized alumni in the CMU community for their service to the university and their impact on the world, and for their accomplishments and leadership in their professional or vocational fields.

Help us honor outstanding Tartans with these four, easy-to-complete steps:

  1. Access the online nomination form.
  2. Gather a professional summary, such as a resume, a bio or even a LinkedIn profile, for your nominee.
  3. Collect at least one letter of support. Please note this letter cannot be drafted by the nominator. Up to two letters may be submitted.
  4. Submit the online nomination form and attach the professional summary and letter(s) of support.

Nomination FAQs

We encourage nominators to review the Alumni Awards categories to ensure you’re selecting the best fit for your nominee.

  • Founders Medal for Outstanding Service and Exceptional Achievements
  • Alumni Achievement Award
  • Alumni Service Award
  • Outstanding Recent Alumni Award
One letter of support is required for all nominees, and up to two letters of support can be included. These letters are instrumental in the selection process for providing a complete account of the nominee's accomplishments, contributions and impact.
Nominations are accepted year-round and will be considered based on annual application deadlines.
Nominations remain active for two award selection cycles. If your candidate is not selected, you will have the opportunity to add supplemental and/or updated information to the individual’s nomination packet prior to the next deadline.
Awards are not presented posthumously.
Selected honorees must be present at the CMU Alumni Awards ceremony in order to receive an award.
Eligibility is limited by award type to alumni of Carnegie Mellon University. Current members of the CMU Alumni Association Board are ineligible to be nominated for and/or to receive an Alumni Association Alumni Award while they are active members.
Alumni Award honorees are selected annually by members of the CMU Alumni Association Board (AAB) Awards Committee. Nominees are judged specifically on the impact of the nominee’s professional/vocational work and/or service to the CMU community.

Please contact the Alumni Association with questions or for more information.