Alumni Awards

The NIU College of Law Alumni Council annually honors exceptional graduates for their outstanding career achievements, devotion to the public good, and service to the College of Law. Award categories are: Alumnus/a of the Year Award, Distinguished Service Award,  Outstanding Service Award, and Young Alumnus/a of the Year Award.

The Council also honors outstanding elected officials with the Public Service Award, and exemplary friends of the College of Law with the Honorary Law Alumnus/a Award.

Alumnus/a of the Year

The Alumnus/a of the Year Award is bestowed to graduates who have made outstanding achievements in their careers, demonstrated service to their community or profession, and upheld professional integrity.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed to graduates who have been out of school for more than 10 years and have made outstanding achievements in their careers, demonstrated service to the NIU College of Law and to the public good, and upheld professional integrity. 

Outstanding Service Award

The Outstanding Public Service Award is bestowed to graduates or individuals who have shown outstanding service to the College of Law. They also must demonstrate service to their community or profession,  possess outstanding professional accomplishments, and uphold professional integrity.

Honorary Law Alumnus/a Award

The Honorary Law Alumnus/a Award may be bestowed on individuals who are not graduates of the Northern Illinois University College of Law, but who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the college and the communities it serves.

Young Alumnus/a of the Year Award

The Young Alumnus/a of the Year  Award is bestowed to graduates who have been out of law school for 10 years or less and have made outstanding achievements early in their careers, demonstrated devotion to the public good, and upheld professional integrity.

Public Service Award

The Public Service Award is bestowed to graduates or individuals who are elected officials and who have provided extraordinary support and/or service to the College of Law specifically or NIU in general.