Nomination Best Practices

The Texas State community is comprised of exceptional students, first-rate teachers and accomplished alumni who make us proud. Each year, we recognize select Bobcats and their remarkable contributions with Alumni Association awards. Below are recommended best practices for completing a nomination along with the criteria for each award given out. 

Best Practices to Complete an Award Nomination

There is no predetermined set of criteria for our alumni awards as each Bobcat has different experiences that make them exceptional. Your nomination should include specific examples, recommendations from supporters of the nominee, and other pertinent details that provides a well-rounded picture of all the nominee has accomplished.

Distinguished Alumni Awards
Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are chosen from a wide range of industries, reflecting the diversity of our alumni community. To help guide the selection process, general criteria are provided to highlight the types of professions and roles that may lead to a strong nomination for the award.

Get Started Early
In order to submit a complete nomination form, you will need multiple supporting documents. Gathering these materials takes a significant amount of time. Allow for a few weeks, at the minimum, to get all of this done prior to the deadline.

Save A Local Copy
Before completing the nomination form on our website, use a word document on your computer with all of your answers in case the nomination form times out on our website. Nominees can also refer back to this in future years if they want to submit a nomination again.

Letters Of Support
Gather letters of support that provide a well-rounded view of the nominee rather than repeat what the nomination form says.

Be Thorough
Ensure your nomination form is complete with all required materials and submitted on time.

Deadline
Nominations are taken year-round; however, March 1, 2025 is the deadline for inclusion in the 2025 class of award recipients.

Review Award Nomination Requirements

To nominate an individual for one of the annual alumni awards, please review the below information to see the eligibility criteria, the criteria for selection, and to learn what is necessary to complete a nomination packet. The nomination form and due date will be available on the alumni website when the award nomination process begins.

Expand FAQ List

  • Deadline: March 1, 2025

    Criteria for Eligibility

    • The nominee must be a graduate of Texas State University.
      Alumni employed by Texas State University, current members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and candidates and holders of public office are ineligible.
    • The awards are not presented in absentia*.
    • Nominations may be made by any individual or group, except for self-nominations.
    • Nominations of individuals not selected will be held and considered “active” for two (2) consecutive years (the first year of nomination and one subsequent year).
    • Nominators are encouraged to update nomination packets prior to the nomination deadline, each year the nomination is considered active.
    • Individuals may be re-nominated at any time.
    • Award may be withdrawn by the selection committee for any cause which reflects poorly upon the university or the Alumni Association.
    • Note: Individuals for the Young Alumni Award must be under 40 on January 1 of the award year.


    Criteria for Selection

    • Professional prominence with noteworthy accomplishments.
    • Career advancement, responsibility, and leadership.
    • Level of significant impact within specific industry at the local, regional, national and/or international level.
    • Demonstrated service and recognitions with Texas State University or future potential to serve as a volunteer, donor, and/or advocate.
    • Demonstrated service with local, state, national and/or international community.
    • Nominee must be in good standing with the university.
    • Nominee must be able to attend the Distinguished Alumni Gala of the award year.
       

    Required Nomination Form:

    • Nomination form answering the questions below.
      • What is the nominee’s occupation and what exceptional professional achievements and noteworthy accomplishments has he/she achieved?
      • How has the nominee exhibited, through career advancement, responsibility and leadership, the unique qualities needed to be recognized for this award?
      • What has been the significant impact of the nominee on a local, regional, national and/or international level within a specific industry?
      • How has the nominee demonstrated service to and recognition by Texas State University?
      • How has the nominee demonstrated service within local, regional, national and international communities?

    Recommended Supplemental Materials:

    • Cover letter summarizing nominee’s eligibility.
    • Current resume, biographical information or curriculum vitae for the nominee (not to exceed five (5) pages).
    • Minimum of one (1), but no more than three (3), letters of support from non-family members specifically addressing the selection criteria. Letters of support may be submitted by anyone with the exception of the nominee’s family and Alumni Relations staff. Alumni Association Board Members may write a letter of support but must recuse himself/herself from any type of input or action that may occur with the selection process.

  • Deadline: Date for 2025 nominations coming soon.

    Criteria for Eligibility

    • Exceptional leadership qualities and ability to lead in their role while demonstrating dedication to the campus community
    • Ability to foster and embrace diversity and inclusiveness among students, faculty, and staff
    • Honor and prestige through initiatives, motivation, and innovation to create positive and impactful change to Texas State University and the San Marcos and/or Round Rock community
    • Groundbreaking discoveries in the future of academics and continues to further push boundaries in exploring research for the university
    • Ability to integrate technological innovation to cultivate extraordinary learning opportunities for students
    • Commitment to making significant contributions to enhance the student experience, academic programs, and student organizations at Texas State University
    • Dedication, integrity, and selflessness while making a positive impact on the university
    • Outstanding ability to engage and develop partnerships within the university and community
    • Ethical behavior, compassion, respect, integrity, fairness to all university students and staff
    • Nominations of individuals not selected will be held and considered “active” for two (2) consecutive years (the first year of nomination and one subsequent year)

    Criteria For Selection

    • Nominee must meet the award recipient criteria above
    • Nominee must be in good standing with the university
    • Nominee can either be a full-time or part-time Texas State University employee, alumnus, former student or a supporter of the university
    • Nominee must be able to attend the Distinguished Alumni Gala of the award year

    The nomination packet must include a:

    • Nomination form answering the questions below.
      • How has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and the ability to lead in their role while demonstrating dedication to the campus community?
      • How has the nominee demonstrated honor and prestige through initiatives, motivation, and innovation to create positive and impactful change to Texas State University and the San Marcos and/or Round Rock community?
      • How has the nominee demonstrated excellence in supporting Texas State’s mission, values, and goals?
      • How has the nominee demonstrated commitment to making significant contributions to enhance the student experience, academic programs, and student organizations at Texas State University?
    • Nominee’s resume, CV, and any other awards that are pertinent.
    • Three (3) letters of recommendation.

  • Deadline: Date for 2025 nominations coming soon.

    Criteria for Eligibility

    • Excellence in instructional delivery and design
    • Subject matter and competency
    • Impact on student success

    The nomination packet must include a:

    • Nomination form answering the questions below.
      • Provide specific examples of how the nominee demonstrates passion and innovation in the classroom and ways in which he/she successfully engages students via unique teaching models or methods.
      • Provide specific examples of the nominees’ competency in their respective core subject(s), including ways they have expanded their own knowledge and scope of study, unique research they have completed, and accolades or recognition they have received from students, peers, supervisors or professional organization.
      • Provide specific examples of the nominee’s success connecting with students, both inside and outside the classroom, and how he/she has had a positive impact on their students’ educational experience and achievement.
    • Current resume/CV of nominee
    • Minimum of one (1), but no more than three (3), letters of support from non-family members specifically addressing the selection criteria.

  • Deadline: Date for 2025 nominations coming soon.

    Criteria for Eligibility

    • Nominee must be a candidate for graduation at Texas State University in the Spring (May) of the year that the award is conferred or have graduated the preceding August or December.
    • Nominee must have completed at least 60 credit hours at Texas State University.
    • Nominee must be classified as a senior at Texas State University.
    • Nominee must have demonstrated outstanding leadership, character, campus and community involvement and academic success at Texas State University.
    • Nominee must be a person of such integrity, stature and demonstrated ability that the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the university will take pride in, and be inspired by, their recognition.

    The nomination packet must include a:

    • Nomination form answering the questions below.
      • How has the nominee exhibited outstanding leadership at Texas State?
      • How has the nominee exhibited outstanding character?
      • What service(s) and/or contribution(s) has the nominee made to Texas State through civic, business, and/or professional involvement?
      • What impact has the nominee's academic success had at Texas State?

    Nominee Requirements

    • Nominated students will receive notification and instructions by the Office of Alumni Relations after their nominations are received. In order to complete their nomination packet, students will be asked to submit the following to the Office of Alumni Relations:
      • Student ID Number
      • Graduation date
      • Resume

    Brief statement summarizing how they meet the criteria for the award