Alumni Recognition

Nominate your favorite alumni

The Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences alumni awards are given to alumni of the College whose exceptional achievements demonstrate the distinct principles derived from a liberal arts and sciences education. Nominate a deserving IU arts and sciences alum for this prestigious honor—the application process is simple and open to all.

  • Use the online nomination form for the Outstanding Young Alumni Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award. Nominations are accepted year-round, with the given year's cut-off for nominations set at February 28.
  • Recipients of the College’s Distinguished Faculty Award, Distinguished Alumni Scholar Award, and the philanthropic Old Crescent Award are chosen by the executive dean and a faculty committee.

Contact Director of Alumni Engagement Vanessa Cloe at vcloe@iu.edu if you would like to learn more about any of these awards.

Candidates for all alumni awards:

  • Must be a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington.
  • Honorees should ideally be able to accept the award in person and engage in the associated alumni recognition activities, either on or off campus.

For the Distinguished Alumni Award:

  • Have achieved significant recognition or accomplishment in their chosen field (for example, business, academic, military/government, the arts), community service, or university service.

For the Outstanding Young Alumni Award:

  • Have achieved significant recognition or accomplishment through professional achievement, community service, or university service.
  • Be forty years of age or younger.

Required materials: 

  • Completed nomination form.
  • Letters of support: A minimum of 1 letter of recommendation is required, with up to 3 letters allowed. These letters should provide clear evidence of the nominee’s impact. (Details on what constitutes impact can be found under the first bullet of the "Guidelines for Supporting Materials.")

Optional materials: 

  • A curated vita or resume, limited to 4 pages. 
  • Up to two multimedia links (e.g., articles, videos) that further demonstrate the nominee's achievements. 

Guidelines for supporting materials: 

  • Nomination letters: Letters should clearly articulate the nominee's distinctive contributions to their profession, community, or other areas of impact. Letters should provide sufficient context to highlight the nominee’s unique qualifications. 
  • Supporting documentation: Articles, videos, or other supplementary materials should directly support the key accomplishments referenced in the nomination.

The College’s Alumni Awards and Recognition Committee reserves the right to reassign nomination categories if deemed necessary.

  • Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • To maintain impartiality and avoid potential conflicts of interest, family members are not eligible to nominate candidates. 
  • Members of the College’s Alumni Awards and Recognition Committee and current IU College of Arts and Sciences employees (faculty, staff) are not eligible for these recognitions.

The Alumni Awards and Recognition Committee reviews eligible nominations for the Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Young Alumni awards and recommends the top candidates for each award to the executive dean. The dean will appoint an internal committee to select and confirm the winners, typically in late spring or early summer. Nominations not selected will remain eligible for reconsideration for two additional years. If necessary, rollover nominations must be updated to align with current guidelines and award criteria.

Throughout the vetting process, the Alumni Awards and Recognition Committee will prioritize nominees whose achievements and character align with the College’s core values—question critically, think logically, communicate clearly, act creatively, live ethically—ensuring that those recognized exemplify the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and impact.

Submit an alumni award nomination form

2025 alumni award recipients

William A. Corsaro

Distinguished Alumni Scholar Award

B.A. '70, Sociology

William A. Corsaro was Robert H. Shaffer Class of 1967 Endowed Chair and is now Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology at Indiana University Bloomington.

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James Fielding

Distinguished Alumni Award

B.A. ’87, Political Science

James Fielding is an accomplished and respected industry leader in the areas of experiential retail, brand management, personal authenticity, and team leadership development.

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Daniel F. Hayes

Distinguished Alumni Award

B.A. ’74, Biological Sciences, M.A. ’77, Chemistry

Daniel F. Hayes is the Stuart B. Padnos Professor of Breast Cancer Research at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center.

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Andrew C. Thieneman

Old Crescent Award

B.A. '74, Chemistry

Andrew C. Thieneman is a retired endocrinologist, having previously worked at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind.

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Jill Underly

Distinguished Alumni Award

B.A. ’99, History, Sociology

Jill Underly serves as Wisconsin’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a statewide elected position with a four-year term.

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D’Juan Wilcher

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

B.A. ’10, Spanish

D’Juan Wilcher is deputy director of the Veteran and Military Families Program at the George W. Bush Institute.

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