The New Mexico State University Alumni Association will accept nominations for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards through May 15. Since 1956, more than 400 Aggies have received these awards, which are the highest honors presented to university alumni.
Every year during NMSU’s Homecoming weekend, the NMSU Alumni Association recognizes some of the university’s most successful graduates with these prestigious awards: the Distinguished Alumni Awards, the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service (the very highest honor), and the Young Alumni Service Award. Anyone may nominate a living NMSU alum for any of these awards, and the criteria and nomination form can be found on the Alumni Association website at https://nmsualumni.org/awards-recognitions.html.
For nearly 70 years, the Distinguished Alumni Award has recognized living NMSU alumni whose accomplishments and leadership have contributed to the quality and advancement of NMSU and the community. Six alumni, one representing each academic college and two from the College of Arts and Sciences at NMSU, will be honored.
In 1966, the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service was launched to recognize an individual or couple who has shown progressive support, dedicated involvement, and impactful civic and humanitarian service to NMSU and within their communities. Nominees can be either alumni or friends of the university.
The Young Alumni Service Award, established in 2019, is awarded to one alum who is an emerging professional. The nominee must be younger than 40 and making great strides in shaping their community’s future while bringing distinction to NMSU.
“The Distinguished Alumni Award recipients always astound us with their accomplishments, contributions to society, and community service,” said Sylvia Y. Acosta, NMSU Foundation CEO. “The Aggie experience represents the beginning of a dream for thousands of students, and we are proud of our legacy of providing not only an excellent education but a passion for service and a desire to boldly shape the future, as demonstrated by our Distinguished Alumni.”
Nominations for all these awards are due no later than May 15, and can be completed online at http://nmsualumni.org/awards-recognitions.html. The awards ceremony is tentatively scheduled to take place during Homecoming weekend 2024, and guest registration for the ceremony will be opened later this year.