College of Applied Health Sciences Alumni Awards Nominations
AHS alumni are changing the world...
...in the areas of Speech and Hearing Sciences; Health and Kinesiology; Recreation, Sport and Tourism; and Disability Advocacy. The College of Applied Health Sciences will recognize inspiring individuals this fall with the College of Applied Health Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award, Harold Scharper Award, and Young Alumni Award. Learn more about the college's alumni awards below:
The College of Applied Health Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 2007 to celebrate the diverse achievements of alumni of the College of AHS. The award recognizes high levels of professional and personal success that may include statewide, national or international renown.
The Harold Scharper Award was established in 1950 as a tribute to the first paraplegic student to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The award recognizes alumni who have received services from Disability Resources and Educational Services and who have attained outstanding success and national or international distinction in their chosen business, profession or life’s work.
The Young Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of AHS who has achieved early success in their profession. Leadership, community engagement and contributions of time and talent to the university are considered. The recipient must be thirty-five (35) years of age or younger during the calendar year in which they receive the award.
Former Alumni Award recipients can be viewed here.
Guidelines for nominations:
- Complete the nomination form. We encourage, and welcome, self-nominations. If the nominee is selected as a finalist, you will be contacted to provide additional information that will support their candidacy. Additional information may include comments about how the nominee has demonstrated the University of Illinois mission, letters of support and any additional documents that may be useful in supporting a nominee’s candidacy.
- Nominees must be able to attend the awards activities the weekend of Homecoming (October 16-18, 2025).
- All nominations will be kept and considered for two (2) years. It is encouraged that nominations are updated if a candidate is not selected in the first year.
- Award recipients will be approved by the Dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences. The recommendations of the AHS Board of Visitors will be carefully considered in the decision process.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Saathoff in the AHS Office of Advancement at ksaathof@illinois.edu or 217-244-8408.
Nominations are due by January 31, 2025.
