LSU Alumnus of the Year | LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction

The LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction event recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves and LSU through their careers, personal and civic accomplishments, volunteer activities, and their loyalty to their alma mater.

The LSU Alumni of the Year designation is the highest honor awarded to a distinguished graduate of LSU by the association. The first award was conferred in 1966; the Young Alumni of the Year Award was established in 1999 to recognize alumni under the age of 40 who have attained professional prominence early in their careers. The LSU Alumni Association has recognized over 325 individuals representing a cross-section of LSU graduates.

Integrity

Be a person of such integrity, stature, and demonstrated ability that faculty, staff, students, and alumni will take pride in and be inspired by their recognition.

Distinguished

Be distinguished in their chosen business, profession, or life's work and must have received some previous recognition from contemporaries.

Loyal to LSU

By their deeds and actions, reflect and recognize the importance of their educational training here, reflect pride in their alma mater, and be loyal to and interested in the betterment of Louisiana State University.

Contributions

Have demonstrated a continuing interest in Louisiana State University and in the LSU Alumni Association and must have contributed time, talent, or money to one or more programs to benefit the university.

Young Alumni of The Year

For the outstanding Young Alumni of the Year, a nominee must be 40 or younger on January 1 of the year in which the award is presented.

Completed 1 Semester

A person who has completed at least one semester in a regular course study in the LSU System is eligible for nomination.

A person may be the recipient of the LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction Award only once.

Full-time employees of Louisiana State University or those serving in a governing position or any supervisory or advisory board, and nationally elected officers of the LSU Alumni Association are not eligible for the award during the term of their employment or service.

History

The LSU Alumni Association, formerly known as the LSU Alumni Federation, began recognizing distinguished alumni in 1966 when The Alumnus of the Year Award was bestowed upon military hero Major Roy J. Young.

The tradition continued until 1981 when the Hall of Distinction was created to recognize and honor more alumni and other outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to society and whose achievements have brought credit and distinction to LSU.

In 1984, a selection committee was created and included four representatives of the Association along with four representatives, whose names remain anonymous, serve a staggered three-year term, and are charged with the task of reviewing hundreds of nominations and casting votes for the top candidates. The final candidates are reviewed and voted on by the Honors and Awards Committee and presented for final approval to the board of directors of the LSU Alumni Association.

The LSU Alumni Association began accepting nominations for its Young Alumnus of the Year award in 1999. The award is specifically for alumni under the age of 40 who have attained prominence early on through their efforts in commerce, industry, technology, agriculture, engineering, the arts, the sciences, education, government, and other worthy endeavors.