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Outstanding Alumni Award

Purpose:


Established in 1971, the Outstanding Alumni Award at Missouri Southern is the highest award given out to an alumnus by the Alumni Association. Awardees are honored for their outstanding achievements in their profession, and for having made significant contributions to their community, state or nation. Awarded each fall during Homecoming, the Outstanding Alumni Award is given to individuals who are alumni of Missouri Southern, and have made unmatched contributions to the University. The award is based on outstanding service, financial support, student recruitment, or other efforts to Joplin Junior College, Missouri Southern College, Missouri Southern State College or Missouri Southern State University.

Process:


Candidates are nominated for the Outstanding Alumni Award by fellow alumni, friends of the University, family members and faculty and staff of MSSU. The Alumni Awards Committee, comprised of Alumni Board members, faculty and staff members, Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations, President and/or designee, will meet to review all nominations, and recommend recipients(s) to the MSSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Criteria:


The nominee must have graduated from Missouri Southern State University. The nominee can be nominated after the Alumnus/Alumna has been out of school for at least 10 years and not to exceed 24 years between attendance and award nomination. In cases of exceptional accomplishments by an alumnus/alumna, the Awards Committee may deem it appropriate to present this award to an individual before the time elapsed from school has been reached. 

Applications received at the Ralph L. Gray Alumni Center prior to June 30 will be considered for the award.

Nomination materials:


Please submit the required documents listed below to explain how your nominee meets the criteria for the specific award. Remember that the selection committee members will make their determinations based on the responsiveness, clarity and completeness of the nomination materials.

  • Resume or CV
  • Letter from nominator detailing nominee’s record of outstanding accomplishment, commitment and initiative in a professional, business or public service arena
  • One additional letter detailing nominee’s record of outstanding accomplishment, commitment and initiative in a professional, business or public service arena
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