Purpose

In 2017, Penn State Greater Allegheny established the Alumni and Volunteer Awards Program.  The purpose of the Awards Program is to recognize alumni and volunteers for their individual achievements, contributions to their industry or profession, service to the community, and loyalty to Penn State Greater Allegheny. 

These awards are the highest honor given by Penn State Greater Allegheny to graduates or volunteers. The nomination form can be found here.

  •  Distinguished Alumni
  •  Distinguished GOLD Alumni (Graduate of the Last Decade)
  •  The Traina Award For Distinguished Service to Penn State Greater Allegheny

Award Guidelines

The Alumni and Volunteer Awards acknowledge outstanding alumni and volunteers who have attained extraordinary distinction and success in their chosen profession and accomplishment in any field of human endeavor that brings honor to the recipient and to Penn State Greater Allegheny. An individual may only receive an award once. 

Distinguished Alumni

To be considered for the Distinguished Alumni award, the individual is:

  • A living Penn State Greater Allegheny alumnus/alumna (the individual must have attended the Penn State Greater Allegheny campus for at least one semester).
  • Distinguished in his or her chosen business, profession or life work, and the recipient of some previous recognition (publications, presentations, awards, honors, research, continued advancement - academically or professionally).
  • Active in professional organizations.
  • A person of such integrity and stature that Penn State Greater Allegheny will take pride in bestowing this recognition.
  • A leader both professionally and within the community and demonstrates a commitment to community relations and philanthropy.
  • Demonstrating the importance of a Penn State Greater Allegheny education and is loyal to the campus by alumni involvement and/or philanthropic support.

Distinguished GOLD Alumni

To be considered for the Distinguished GOLD Alumni award, the individual must meet all of the criteria for the Distinguished Alumni Award, but may only have graduated in the last 10 years.

The Traina Award For Distinguished Service to Penn State Greater Allegheny

This award recognizes an individual who has provided exemplary volunteer service to Penn State Greater Allegheny.  To be considered for the Traina Award, the individual is:

  • Either an Alumni of the campus or not.
  • A person of such integrity and stature that Penn State Greater Allegheny will take pride in bestowing this recognition.
  • A leader who demonstrates a commitment to community relations and philanthropy.
  • Demonstrating the importance of a Penn State Greater Allegheny education and is loyal to the campus by alumni involvement and/or philanthropic support.

Ineligibility for all Alumni and Volunteer Awards

Current members of the Alumni and Volunteer Awards Selection Committee are not eligible.
Current Penn State Greater Allegheny faculty and staff are not eligible.
 

Method of Nomination

Penn State Greater Allegheny will provide an online nomination form.  For a PDF copy of the nomination form, please contact Anne Pastore at [email protected].

  • Any member of the Penn State Greater Allegheny community, as well as administration, faculty, or staff of the campus, may make nominations.
  • Any friend, business colleague, or alumna/alumnus may make nominations.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • No limit is placed on the number of nominations submitted.
  • One nomination per individual will be considered per year.
  • An individual can be nominated for the award regardless of how many times he/she has been nominated in the past.
  • In the event that a candidate is not selected as an honoree, his/her nomination may be updated and resubmitted for future consideration.
  • Nominators must submit a completed nomination form, a letter of recommendation, and supporting documentation as available (see details that follow).

Nomination

Nomination for qualified candidates for the Distinguished Awards should include:

Nominations must be kept confidential between the nominator and the Alumni and Volunteer Awards Selection Committee which is composed of individuals representing alumni, administration, faculty, and staff.  No approach will be made to any nominee until the selection process has been completed.  Once the selection process has been completed, the Chancellor of Penn State Greater Allegheny will notify the successful nominee by written letter.  Applications in breach of the above guidelines will not be considered.  

The nomination form can be found here.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement via email at [email protected] or by phone at (412) 675-9047.