SUNY ESF
Graduates of Distinction Awards Nomination Information
The ESF Alumni Office invites nominations for the Graduates of Distinction awards, which honor alumni who exemplify excellence, leadership, and impact in their professional and personal lives.
Nominees may be considered in one of the following categories:
- Lifetime Achievement – Recognizes alumni with a distinguished, sustained record of exceptional contributions and leadership over the course of their careers.
- Notable Achievement – Honors alumni who are in the midst of their careers and have demonstrated significant accomplishments, leadership, and impact in their fields—often at the mid-point of their professional journey.
- Incipiens Quercu – Celebrates young alumni (typically within 10 years of graduation) who show exceptional promise and early-career achievement.
Please use the button below to submit a nomination. At least one letter of support is required, ideally from a professional peer, supervisor, or someone familiar with the nominee’s work. While letters from family or friends are accepted, a recommendation from someone in the field is strongly encouraged. Letters can be emailed to alumni@esf.edu.
Nomination Deadline: December 1, 2025
Awardees will be announced in Jan. 2026. Nominators of non-recipients will also be notified. Nominees themselves will not be contacted unless selected. Our Graduates of Distinction will be honored at ESF’s Commencement ceremony on May 9, 2026, at the Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse.