Alumni Awards

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.

Criteria for nomination:

• Living graduate of the Northern Illinois University College of Law
• Demonstrated service to their community or profession
• Possess outstanding professional accomplishments
• Consistently demonstrates professional integrity

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.

Criteria for nomination:

• Living graduate or individual outside of the Northern Illinois University College of Law who has been out of school for over ten years
• Demonstrated service to the NIU College of Law
• Demonstrated service to their community or profession
• Possess outstanding professional accomplishments
• Consistently demonstrate professional integrity

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.

Criteria for nomination:

• Living graduate or individual outside of the Northern Illinois University College of Law who have demonstrated service to the NIU College of Law
• Demonstrated service to their community or profession
• Possess outstanding professional accomplishments
• Consistently demonstrates professional integrity

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.

Criteria for nomination:

• Individual who is not a graduate of the College of Law who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the College of Law
• Demonstrated service to their community or profession
• Possess outstanding professional accomplishments
• Consistently demonstrates professional integrity

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.

Criteria for nomination:

• Living graduate of the Northern Illinois University College of Law who has become successfully established within ten years of graduation
• Has made outstanding achievements in their early careers
• Has shown devotion to the public good

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.