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Arch Awards

The Arch Awards are the highest honour awarded by the UCalgary Alumni Association. Since 1985, they have celebrated bold alumni who have transformed business and community, art and technology, sport and health, for the betterment of all.

The 2024 Arch Awards nominations open on December 13, 2023 & close at midnight on March 3, 2024.

Who are the UCalgary alumni that inspire you?

Check out the categories below to help us recognize our most remarkable alumni — those who have transformed business and community, art and technology, and sport and health. 

Arch Award recipients are leaders and innovators. These UCalgary graduates have shown excellence in their professions and are champions for the betterment of their communities. Help us ensure they receive the recognition they deserve.

Nominate a peer, colleague, friend or former classmate for one of our six categories:

The UCalgary Alumni Arch Award for Early Career Achievement recognizes professional accomplishment or creative leadership in any field by graduates aged 30 or younger before the end of the presentation year. The award honours recent graduates whose career success has brought distinction to themselves, credit to the university, and real benefit to their communities.

To nominate a UCalgary graduate for this award, please complete and submit our online nomination form. You may save the form and return to complete at another time.

Nominators will be asked to answer the following questions:

  • What are the unique early career achievements that brought distinction to the candidate and how do these inspire current and future alumni? 
  • In what ways was the candidate strikingly innovative in achieving early success?
  • What impact has the candidate had in their field(s) at this point in their career? 

Recognizes graduates whose philanthropy and/or volunteer commitment has served to advance the University of Calgary and its alumni. The award honours those who have improved the lives of fellow graduates and future alumni.

To nominate a UCalgary graduate for this award, please complete and submit our online nomination form. You may save the form and return to complete at another time.

Nominators will be asked to answer the following questions:

  • What unique impact has the candidate had on UCalgary and its alumni?
  • What are the recognized outcomes, made possible by this candidate, that demonstrate a benefit to alumni and students?
  • How did this candidate go about making this impact happen?

The UCalgary Alumni Arch Award for Community Commitment recognizes a graduate who has made outstanding and significant contributions to their community through their professional or volunteer service. The award honours those whose service has brought distinction to themselves, credit to the university, and real benefit to their communities.

To nominate a UCalgary graduate for this award, please complete and submit our online nomination form. You may save the form and return to complete at another time.

Nominators will be asked to answer the following questions:

  • What unique community impact has brought distinction to the candidate and how do these inspire current and future alumni?
  • What are the recognized contributions made by this candidate that demonstrate a benefit to their community?
  • In what ways did the candidate bring about positive change in their community?

This award recognizes graduates whose leadership and accomplishments have had a positive impact in their field and whose innovation have made significant contributions to their community. Recipients will have achieved excellence and distinction in their career. 

To nominate a UCalgary graduate for this award, please complete and submit our online nomination form. You may save the form and return to complete at another time.

Nominators will be asked to answer the following questions:

  • What are the unique professional achievements that brought distinction to the candidate and to the University of Calgary, and how do these inspire current and future alumni? 
  • What impact has the candidate had on their sector(s) of work?
  •  How has the candidate bettered their community as an innovative leader?

The UCalgary Alumni Arch Award for International Career Achievement honours those whose international career accomplishments have brought distinction to themselves, credit to the university, and real benefit to their communities.

To nominate a UCalgary graduate for this award, please complete and submit our online nomination form. You may save the form and return to complete at another time.

Nominators will be asked to answer the following questions:

  • What are the unique international achievements that brought distinction to the candidate and how do these inspire current and future alumni?
  • What international impact has the nominee had on their profession and/or the community in which they are active?
  • In what ways was the candidate strikingly innovative in achieving international success? 

The highest honour awarded by the UCalgary Alumni Association, this award recognizes graduates who, over the course of their lives, have made notable contributions that have improved their profession and community. Having reached the pinnacle of professional and personal success, they enrich the lives of others through their leadership, shared knowledge, creativity and innovation.

To nominate a UCalgary graduate for this award, please complete and submit our online nomination form. You may save the form and return to complete at another time.

Nominators will be asked to answer the following questions:

  • What unique contributions has the nominee made to their profession and community?
  • How has the candidate's professional or personal success enriched the lives of others?
  • In what ways was the candidate strikingly innovative in bringing about lasting change in their profession, community or beyond?

Top nomination tips

Keep it simple

The strongest nominations provide detailed, but brief descriptions that clearly explain why the individual is worthy of an award.

Don’t say it… prove it!

Give real examples that showcase the impact this person has made in their profession and community.

Make it count

Submit only the very best articles, photos and other materials that help build your case. Think quality over quantity.

Share the work

Make sure letters of support come from peers who can provide a unique perspective of why this individual is a worthy recipient.


Eligibility

Inspired by the difference our alumni make, the UCalgary Alumni Arch Awards began in 1985 as a platform for the University of Calgary Alumni Association to honor and celebrate alumni who are making positive change in the world. Awards recognize alumni who have notably improved their profession and community through commitment, leadership and positive disruption.

Eligibility:

  • Nominees must have earned a degree from the University of Calgary.
  • Former Distinguished Alumni Award recipients may not be nominated.
  • Current Alumni Association board members are not eligible.
  • Current members of the UCalgary Alumni Awards and Recognition Committee and the UCalgary Alumni Arch Awards Sub-Committee are not eligible.
  • Elected members of public office are not eligible to receive an Arch Award during their term. Once the individual no longer holds an elected or appointed position in political office, they are eligible.
  • Faculty and staff of the university are eligible; however, their contributions should be above and beyond those expected in their normal duties.
  • Anonymous and self-nominations will not be accepted.
  • Posthumous nominations will not be considered.
  • Nomination packages require a minimum of one letter of support to be eligible.

Meet the 2023 Arch Award Recipients!

Learn more about our amazing 2023 Arch Award recipients who inspire, inform and illuminate the world.

Edie Adams

Edie Adams, BSc’85, MEDes’90

Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime Achievement

Dr. Jennifer Hatfield

Dr. Jennifer Hatfield, PhD'01

International Career Achievement Award

Aaron and Moses Renert Rev

Aaron Renert, BSc'92, MSc'93, LLB'98, BEd'03 & Dr. Moshe Renert, BSc'85, PhD

Career Achievement Award

Matthew Brister, BSc'81 and Tara Brister, BSc'82

Matthew Brister, BSc'81 and Tara Brister, BSc'82

Alumni Service Award

Leah Schmidt

Leah Schmidt, BA'17 (Women's Studies), BA'17 (International Relations)

Early Career Achievement Award

Dr. Madeleine Cole, MD’98

Dr. Madeleine Cole, MD’98

Community Commitment Award

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