NAA Service and Club Awards
The Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) relies on its dedicated volunteers to help fulfill its mission of inspiring alumni intellectually, socially, and professionally. These volunteers play a vital role in organizing programs that spark lifelong curiosity, connection, and growth among alumni. Their exceptional commitment and service will be honored at the NAA Service and Club Awards on October 5, 2025. Nominations are now closed.
Award Categories and Eligibility Criteria
Service to Northwestern
Presented to alumni in recognition of leadership and service excellence rendered to the University via the NAA, an affiliated alumni group, school, or unit, or other University-associated program.
Eligibility Criteria
- Has earned a degree from Northwestern University
- Has served in some University volunteer capacity for a minimum of 10 years
- Has not previously received a Service to Northwestern award
- Is living and able to attend the awards celebration in Evanston (no posthumous nominations)
- Is not currently a trustee (except for life trustees)
- Is not currently an elected member of the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) board
- Is not currently an employee of the University
Number of Awards: up to three awards annually
Please note: Only three letters of support per nominee are permitted and candidates should not be informed of their nominations. Candidates whose primary professional affiliation is with Northwestern University will not be considered for the service award.
Club Leader of the Year
Presented to alumni in recognition of leadership and service excellence rendered to an affinity, international, or local club.
Eligibility Criteria
- Has earned a degree from Northwestern University
- Is living and able to attend the virtual awards celebration (no posthumous nominations)
- Is not currently a trustee (except for life trustees)
- Is not currently an elected member of the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) board
- Is not currently an employee of the University
Number of Awards: one award annually
Please note: Only three letters of support per nominee are permitted and candidates should not be informed of their nominations.
Club of the Year
Presented to alumni clubs who have had exemplary alumni impact as well as club growth and innovation. Winning clubs must have also excelled in governance, finance/scholarship, programming, membership, and communication and achieved either the Wildcat or Arch levels in the Leading Strategies Model (LSM) in fiscal year 2025 (September 1, 2024–August 31, 2025).
Please note: Clubs under consideration will still have to submit their Annual Review to their club staff liaison by June 20, 2025. A representative from a winning club is expected to participate in person in the Service and Club Awards ceremony to accept their award this fall. Selection will be made by the NAA Awards Committee and approved by the NAA president and executive director, assistant vice president. Club members are welcome to submit a letter of support if your club is set to achieve the Arch or Wildcat level of LSM. Please submit letters of support to volunteer@northwestern.edu.
Number of Awards: The NAA bestows up to four awards annually. Honorees will not be eligible for a service and club award again for one year.