University of North Alabama Association Awards

The UNA Alumni Association Award program honors alumni and friends of the University of North Alabama who bring our mission to life through their leadership, service, and meaningful contributions. From professional achievement to community impact, these awards recognize individuals who invest in others and make a difference in ways both visible and lasting.

Together, these honorees reflect the strength, generosity, and enduring connection of the UNA community.

We invite you to help us celebrate these individuals by submitting a nomination. Each year, alumni and friends have the opportunity to recognize those who exemplify excellence and make a lasting impact through their time, talent, and support. Nominators may submit more than one individual and may nominate across multiple award categories.

Lifetime Achievement

This prestigious award honors an alumna or alumnus of UNA, or a friend of the University, who has demonstrated a lifetime of exceptional achievements in their career, community, and in service to UNA.

Criteria:

• Must have made significant contributions to their profession, community, and/or society over three or more decades.
• Demonstrates a long-standing commitment to UNA through support, engagement, or advocacy.
• Exemplifies the values and mission of UNA.

Alumnus or Alumna of the Year

This award honors an alumna or alumnus of UNA who has made outstanding contributions in their field or community within the past year.

Criteria:

• Must be a UNA graduate.
• Demonstrates exceptional accomplishments in their career, public service, or volunteerism, and has had a notable impact at a regional, national, or international level in the past year.
• Has positively impacted the UNA community through engagement and support.
• Exemplifies the values and mission of UNA.

Friend of the University

 This award recognizes a non-alumna or non-alumnus (individual or couple) who has provided outstanding service, leadership, or support to UNA.

Criteria:

• Must not be a UNA graduate.
• Has significantly impacted the UNA community through their service, advocacy, and philanthropy.
• Actively engages with and supports UNA’s mission, programs, and initiatives.
• Although not a graduate of UNA, they exemplify the values and mission of UNA.

Young Alumnus or Alumna of the Year

This award honors a recent graduate who has demonstrated exceptional achievements in their early career and ongoing dedication to UNA.

Criteria:

• Must have graduated from UNA within the past 10 years and be under the age of 35.
• Shows early career excellence and leadership in their profession or community.
• Actively engages with and supports UNA’s mission, programs, and initiatives.
• Exemplifies the values and mission of UNA.

Promising Alumni

This award is given each year to five graduating seniors who have demonstrated great promise in their chosen fields, through academic performance, and who show great potential for future community and university service through co-curricular involvement.

Submit a Nomination!