Alumni Award Program

Point Loma Nazarene University has a long tradition of honoring distinguished and committed alumni who are pursuing their own unique calling, influencing the lives of others, and impacting the university community. As these alums are celebrated and honored at Homecoming each year, our entire PLNU community receives inspiration and encouragement hearing their stories of global impact. 

Award Categories

Distinguished Achievement Alumni Award

This is the highest award presented by the Alumni Association, given for significant and outstanding lifetime accomplishments in a profession, academically, or in service to nonprofit organizations, a strong Christian testimony, and an impact on others lives. Categories for the DA award are ministerial, for service to church ministry or missions; lay, for service in any profession; and legacy, for direct service to PLNU.

Spotlight Alumni Awards

The Spotlight Alumni Award aims to celebrate graduates who are uniquely and successfully working to make a difference in their communities in significant and creative ways.

Rising Alumni Awards

The Rising Alumni Award is given to students who represent the alumni stars of the future – those who are thoughtful, service-minded, pursuing the unique God-given calling in their life, and continuing the mission of Point Loma Nazarene University. 

Alumni Award Nominations

Interested in nominating a friend or colleague for an award? Want to share your alumni story? 

Anyone may nominate a Pasadena/PLNU alum for an alumni award. To nominate an individual, please fill out the online forms below or send a letter or email to our office addressing the below criteria. Please indicate whether the nomination is for the Distinguished Achievement or Spotlight Alumni award. Nominations can be submitted at any time. Recipients are chosen in the fall and awarded at Homecoming in February. 

Criteria for Alumni Awards:

• Significant impact on the lives of others
• A strong Christian testimony
• Received a baccalaureate, post-graduate, or honorary degree from our institution
• Outstanding accomplishments in service or a profession

Confidentiality: 

• Please do not tell the nominee or any of their family members about the nomination.
• If you can discreetly obtain a resume without the nominee's knowledge, please include it.
• If you can tell us two other people who know the nominee well, please do.
• We are able to conduct some research to obtain the resume and additional information, but the more information you can provide, the stronger the nomination.

Distinguished Achievement Award Nomination Form Spotlight Alumni Award Story Submission

View all past Alumni Association awardees