The UGA Alumni Awards Recipients

2026 Alumni Award Recipients

Alumni Awards celebrate distinguished alumni, faculty members and friends of UGA.

Learn more about the 2025 Recipients

Alumni Awards Criteria

Alumni Merit Award

Alumni Merit Award
The Alumni Merit Award is the UGA Alumni Association’s oldest and highest honor. The award is presented to individuals who bring recognition and honor back to the University of Georgia through outstanding leadership and service to the University, the community, and their profession. The honoree, in deed or action, reflects and recognizes the importance of their education at the University, demonstrates pride in our alma mater, and shows a continued interest in UGA. They embody the following values:

Demonstrated outstanding loyalty and support to the University of Georgia
Proven leadership in professional and philanthropic endeavors
Exemplary personal integrity and stature, such that the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the University will take pride in, and be inspired by, his or her recognition.
Contribution to the University and the community at large
Must have attended the University of Georgia

Family of the Year Award

The Family of the Year Award is presented to a family that demonstrates a history of loyalty to UGA. They bring recognition and honor back to the University of Georgia through outstanding leadership and service to the University and the community at large. They embody the following values:

Demonstrated outstanding loyalty and support to the University of Georgia
A history of service and attendance to the University
Exemplary personal integrity and stature, such that the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the University will take pride in, and be inspired by, their recognition.
Contribution to the University and the community at large

Faculty Service Award

The Faculty Service Award is presented to current or former faculty or staff who have demonstrated loyalty and service to the University of Georgia through outstanding leadership in higher education. They embody the following values:

Demonstrated outstanding loyalty and support to the University of Georgia
Professional impact beyond their assigned job duties
Significant publications and/or research
Personal integrity and stature

Friend of the Year Award

The Friend of UGA Award is presented to any non-alumnus or organization who has devoted themselves to the greater good of the University of Georgia. They embody the following values:

Demonstrated outstanding loyalty and support to the University of Georgia
Exemplary personal integrity and stature, such that the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the University will take pride in, and be inspired by, their recognition.
Contribution to the University and the community at large

Young Alumni Award

The Young Alumni Award is presented to individuals who bring recognition and honor back to the University of Georgia through outstanding leadership and service to the University, the community, and their profession. The honoree, in deed or action, reflects and recognizes the importance of their education at the University, demonstrates pride in our alma mater, and shows a continued interest in UGA. The recipient must have attended UGA within the past 10 years. They embody the following values:

Demonstrated outstanding loyalty and support to the University of Georgia
Proven leadership in professional and philanthropic endeavors
Exemplary personal integrity and stature, such that the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the University will take pride in, and be inspired by, his or her recognition.
Contribution to the University and the community at large
Must be a former student at the University of Georgia

Previous Alumni Award Winners