Award Process

Each year, the Agnes Scott Alumnae Association recognizes outstanding alums in four categories, listed below. Recipients are recognized during Alumnae Weekend. Send your nominations by October 1  so that we can share with the world the many ways that Scotties are amazing!

What Do the Awards Recognize?

• Distinguished Career
  Recognizes an alumna who has achieved excellence in their chosen profession.
• Service to the College
  Recognizes an alumna who has volunteered their time and shared tremendous support for Agnes Scott College. (Current college employees are ineligible.)
• Service to the Community
  Recognizes an alumna who has displayed outstanding service to the community, locally or globally.
• Outstanding Young Alumna
  Recognizes an alumna under the age of 40 for early competence in their chosen field or area of service and exceptional promise for the future.

What Is the Nominations Process?

All nominations must be made electronically using the nomination form  and include the supporting documents below:

• Nomination letter (1 page minimum), specifying the award for which they are being nominated.
• Letter of recommendation or support from an individual other than the nominator (1 page max)
• 300-500 word bio or resume to include education, involvement while a student at ASC, involvement with ASC after college, pertinent volunteer, and/or career accomplishments
• Any additional supporting documentation (additional letters of recommendation, awards, accolades, news articles, citations, etc.).
• The complete nomination packet may not exceed 10 total pages.
• NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED ELECTRONICALLY BY OCTOBER 1

The Nomination form opens on August 1 and nominations are accepted until October 1 by the Office of Alumnae Relations. While any alumna may be nominated for an award, the selection committee will prioritize alumnae in reunion years. Nominations in any given year that are not selected are held for consideration for five years or until the nominee’s next reunion year. After that point nominations must be updated and resubmitted by a nominator to be considered.

MAKE A NOMINATION

Who is on the committee? How Are Selections Made?

The committee chair is the Immediate Past President of the Alumnae Association. The committee is comprised of current and former Alumnae Board members and past award winners.

The committee meets several times to collectively review each submission in each category and determine the awardees. Electronically submitted nominations are provided to committee members a minimum of one week before the meeting so that nominations can be thoughtfully considered and debated during the in-person committee meeting. Selections are made based on the depth and breadth of the nominee's fulfillment of the award criteria, as demonstrated by the information provided in the nomination packet.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does the committee prioritize alumnae recipients in a reunion year vs. a non-reunion year?
   Recognizing outstanding alumnae award recipients in a reunion year supports the idea of honoring, celebrating and leveraging existing bonds and relationships among reunion classes present at Alumnae Weekend.
   
   Non-reunion year nominees will be considered if:
   • There are no reunion year nominations submitted for a given category.
   • The committee agrees there is no reunion-year nominee of the appropriate caliber (based on past winners; at committee discretion).
   • There is an exceptional, stand-out nominee outside of reunion year.
2. Do you consider extenuating circumstances?
   While we support our Scotties who may be facing difficulties (including health, family status, distance from campus), we are unable to consider extenuating circumstances as a determining factor for a recipient.
3. How long do nominees stay eligible?
   Five years or until the nominee’s next reunion year.
4. Notification for the nominator - what to expect and when?
   All nominators will be notified in January, regardless of the outcome for their nominee, before the public announcement of award recipients.
5. What is meant by letters of recommendation or support?
   The committee strives to give every nominee equal consideration and the more detailed documents of support we have, the better understanding the committee will have about the nominee and their eligibility for the award. Documents can include: recommendation letters from colleagues, peers, classmates, etc. who have a knowledge of the nominee’s contributions.

For more information, please contact the Alumnae Relations Office.
Email: alumnae@agnesscott.edu
Phone: 404.471.6323