Academy of Distinguished Alumni
The Academy of Distinguished Alumni honors West Virginia University graduates who have attained national or international distinction in their profession or discipline. The award has been established by the West Virginia University Alumni Association in cooperation with the University’s 14 schools and colleges. Nominations can be submitted electronically”:http://simpleforms.scripts.wvu.edu/sf/AcademyNominationForm/ through October 12, 2012 (for consideration for 2013) or anytime thereafter for future nominations.
Since 1988, this prestigious award has been bestowed on more than 70 West Virginia University alumni, including Jerry West, David Selby, Dr. Nancy Nielsen, Rod “Hot Rod” Hundley, Sam Huff and Gen. Robert H. Foglesong.
2013 Inductees
The 2013 Academy of Distinguished Alumni was held Friday, February 22, 2013. This year’s class included award-winning journalist Kyung Won “K.W.” Lee (‘53), feed industry executive Joel Newman (‘71) and cable modem founder Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard (‘81). The trio were honored during a special induction ceremony at The Erickson Alumni Center.
Kyung Won “K.W.” Lee is known for bringing a voice to poverty in Appalachia, Korean immigrants, and other important national and international stories. Joel Newman has worked throughout his career to ensure our world’s food supply meets the needs of a growing global population while remaining safe for the consumers. Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard is a visionary who connected the world with the invention of the cable modem.
These extraordinary accomplishments have earned them a spot in the WVU Alumni Association’s prestigious Academy of Distinguished Alumni – the highest honor awarded to WVU alumni. The trio will be honored during a reception and induction ceremony on Friday, Feb. 22, at The Erickson Alumni Center. To learn more about these outstanding alumni, visit: http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2013/02/06/wvu-to-honor-award-winning-journalist-cable-modem-founder-and-feed-industry-executive
How are inductees selected?
Inductees are nominated by the general membership of the Alumni Association or their respective schools or colleges. Information on the honorees is permanently displayed in The Erickson Alumni Center . To be considered for this prestigious recognition, nominees must hold a degree from West Virginia University; he/she should be recognized in his/her profession at the national or international level; and he/she cannot be present WVU, WVU Alumni Association, or WVU Foundation, Inc. employees. (However, this would not necessarily exclude members of the Board of Governors, Foundation Board, etc.).
WVU Alumni Association membership/support, WVU support, WVU Foundation, Inc. support or monetary support to any of these three are not limiting factors for nomination.
How can I nominate an alumnus/a?
You can nominate individuals for this award by completing the on-line form or by downloading/completing the nomination form and submitting it, along with all required documentation, to the WVU Alumni Association at P.O. Box 4269, Morgantown, WV 26504-4269. The deadline for 2013 nominations is October 12, 2012. Nominations can be submitted at any time throughout the year for consideration the following year (Class of 2013). Inductees will be selected in Fall 2012. The 2013 Academy of Distinguished Alumni will take place in February 2013.