Alumni Association Awards Program

In order to recognize the extraordinary achievements of Old Dominion University alumni, students and faculty, the Alumni Association presents the following awards.

Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Awards are given to graduates of Old Dominion University in recognition of outstanding service to the community, state, nation or mankind, or for outstanding accomplishments in the graduate's profession.

A. Rufus Tonelson Faculty Award
Named for Alan Rufus Tonelson, one of the first students to enroll at Old Dominion when it was founded in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, this award recognizes faculty for outstanding achievement in teaching, research or service.

Alumni Service Award
The Alumni Service Award recognizes Old Dominion alumni for outstanding service to Old Dominion University and the Alumni Association.

Alumni Association Director Emeriti Award
Present and former members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors are recognized with the Director Emeriti Award for outstanding and extraordinary service to the University, primarily the Alumni Association's Board of Directors.

Distinguished Alumni Organization of the Year Award
Chartered Old Dominion University Alumni Chapters who have made outstanding contributions to the Alumni Association, the University and the community are recognized as the Distinguished Alumni Organization of the Year.

Distinguished Alumni Organization Volunteer of the Year Award
The Distinguished Alumni Organization Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes alumni volunteers for outstanding service to the University, the Alumni Association and their Alumni Chapter.

Alumni Association Outstanding Achievement Award
The Alumni Association Outstanding Achievement Award is made to alumni in recognition of outstanding and exemplary achievement in one's professional or personal endeavors.

Outstanding Scholar Award
During the May and December graduations, the student with the highest grade point average from each college is recognized as an Alumni Association Outstanding Scholar. One of these students, the graduate with the highest GPA and greatest number of credit hours completed also is recognized as the Alumni Association's Top University Outstanding Scholar.

Student-Athlete of the Year Award
Each spring, the Alumni Association selects two student-athletes - one male and one female - to receive the Alumni Association Student-Athlete of the Year Awards. Honorees are selected based on their high quality of sportsmanship and leadership on and off the field of athletic competition during undergraduate years.