The Outstanding Young Graduate Award program was created in 1980 by the Bradley University Alumni Association to recognize a graduate who has gained early and exceptional professional or civic achievement in addition to continuing his/her University involvement. The criteria for this award are weighted toward professional achievement and civic activities. Consideration will also be given to candidates who were active campus participants as students, as well as those who have maintained their campus ties as alumni.
Please read the eligibility and nomination guidelines below carefully before completing the form.
Eligibility
- Candidates must be 40 years of age or younger.
- Candidates must have received a degree from Bradley University.
- Officers of the Alumni Association, members of the selection committee, trustees, faculty and employees of the University are not eligible for awards.
- Recipients must be available to accept their awards on campus at Founder’s Day. If, after notifying the recipient, s/he cannot be present at that time, his/her name will be resubmitted for the following year, and the committee’s first alternate choice will become the current year’s recipient.
- Posthumous awards may be granted if the candidate died within the year prior to the date of selection.
Nominators should be aware that several changes have been made to the criteria and nomination process.These changes were made because of the increasing number of entries and to ensure fairness and consistency as judges review the nominations:
- The nomination deadline is now APRIL 15. Late entries will not be considered.
- Electronically submitted nominations are strongly preferred, and the nomination form must be completed in full. Narrative answers must be concise and must directly address the criteria and the question asked in the indicated format.
- A maximum of three (3) supporting documents will be considered (e.g. letters, publications, resumes, etc.).
Guidelines for Submitting Online Nominations for the Outstanding Young Graduate Award
- Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year, but only those received on or before April 15 will be considered for the current year’s award. Should April 15 fall on a Saturday or Sunday, entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. (Central) on the Friday preceding April 15. Late entries will not be accepted.
- All nominations must consist of a completed nomination form (using either the online form or the downloadable form) and complete responses to the criteria. All fields must be completed in full. Narratives should contain complete, clear and concise answers to criteria.
- If nominations must be submitted via hard copy, click here to download a form and instructions.
- Select supporting documents carefully. A maximum of three (3) supporting documents will be considered (such as letters, articles, resumes, etc.). Any documentation exceeding the maximum of three (3) will be filed, but not distributed for consideration to the selection committee. Letters of recommendation for your nomination may not exceed one (1) 8 1/2" x 11" page each.
- Nominations will be kept on file for three (3) years. The nominator may request the same paperwork be used for two more years before a new nomination is required. However, candidates will not automatically be reconsidered. A nominator MUST request the resubmission, and may be asked to provide additional information about the candidate.
- Nominations will be reviewed by the selection committee on the basis of the data received and measured against the criteria noted for each award.
