Annual Awards

Annual Awards Program

Celebrating Excellence in Our Community

Every year, we honor the individuals, families, and organizations who exemplify the values and spirit of our mission. These awards recognize outstanding contributions in service, leadership, student success, community engagement, and alumni support.

Honoring Our Legacy, Formalizing Our Future

For many years, the Washington Tuskegee Alumni Club has proudly recognized outstanding individuals during our annual Scholarship Breakfast. However, to our knowledge, there has never been a fully formalized, transparent process for identifying and selecting honorees. This new Annual Awards Program represents our first step toward establishing a structured, inclusive, and consistent approach to recognizing excellence in our community. It ensures all members have a voice, and that our selections reflect the values and impact we strive to uplift year after year.

Nomination Period & Deadline

Nominations are now open for contributions made during the current nominating period:
July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025

Nomination Period: July 1st through July 15th
All nominations must be submitted by July 15th at 11:59 PM ET (end of day)
Late submissions will not be considered.
Nominations may be submitted by any member in good standing as of the time of nomination. However, the nominee’s contributions must have occurred during the official nomination period.

Have questions, visit our frequently asked questions page!

Submit a Nomination

Award Categories

Member of the Year

Recognizes a dues-paying member who has shown exceptional service, leadership, or advocacy during the nomination year.

Student of the Year

Open to current Tuskegee University students who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, and engagement with alumni or university initiatives.

Parent of the Year

Celebrates a parent, guardian, or family sponsor of a currently or recently enrolled student who has supported their student and/or the alumni community in impactful ways.

Organization of the Year

Honors a business or nonprofit that has partnered with, sponsored, or significantly supported the organization or Tuskegee students/alumni.

Community Leader of the Year

Acknowledges a civic leader, advocate, or changemaker who has served the Tuskegee alumni community or aligned causes through outstanding public service or impact.

Eligibility Overview

To ensure fairness and consistency, each award category includes specific eligibility criteria. These guidelines help define who can be nominated and under what circumstances. Please review the criteria carefully before submitting a nomination. All nominees should demonstrate meaningful contributions that align with the mission and values of our organization during the official nomination period.

Note: Eligibility is based on actions and impact within the defined nomination year. Each category may have unique requirements based on role, affiliation, or type of contribution.

Member of the Year — Eligibility

Who is eligible:

Must be an active, dues-paying member of the organization during the previous and current fiscal year
Has demonstrated consistent volunteerism, leadership, or advocacy on behalf of the organization
Can be local or at-large, but must have contributed directly to the club's mission, operations, or visibility

Note: Past winners are eligible again after a two-year waiting period. Nominations should reflect contributions made specifically during the designated nomination year.

Student of the Year — Eligibility

Who is eligible:

Must be a currently enrolled student (undergraduate or graduate) at Tuskegee University
Actively engaged with the local alumni chapter, region, or university-led programs
Demonstrates academic achievement, leadership, service, or school spirit
Must not be a previous recipient within the last two years

Note: Nominations should reflect contributions made specifically during the designated nomination year.

Parent of the Year — Eligibility

Who is eligible:

The nominee must be the parent, guardian, or family member of a Tuskegee University student who was enrolled at any point during the official nomination period.
The nominee should have made a meaningful contribution to their student’s success and/or to the broader mission of the alumni organization during that period.
Nominees do not need to be alumni or financial members of the organization to qualify.

Note: Nominations should reflect contributions made specifically during the designated nomination year.

Organization of the Year — Eligibility

Who is eligible:

Any business, nonprofit, or community-based organization that has:
- Partnered with the organization
- Sponsored an event or initiative
- Hired Tuskegee students or alumni
- Provided donations, services, or in-kind support
Must have a demonstrable impact on the mission of your alumni chapter or Tuskegee University more broadly

Note: Must not be currently under contract with the organization for paid services (to avoid conflicts of interest). Nominations should reflect contributions made specifically during the designated nomination year.

Community Leader of the Year — Eligibility

Who is eligible:

An individual (alumnus or non-alumnus) who has made significant contributions to the local community, especially in alignment with the values of your organization (education, service, equity, empowerment, etc.)
May be a civic leader, activist, educator, or advocate who has worked closely with your chapter or served your local Tuskegee alumni communit
Must not currently serve on the award selection committee

Note: Nominations should reflect contributions made specifically during the designated nomination year.

All nominations must be submitted by July 15 at 11:59 PM ET (end of day). Late entries will not be accepted.

Submit a Nomination

Have questions, visit our frequently asked questions page or direct questions directly to nominations committee at nominations@tuskegeedmv.org

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