Alumni Awards
Nomination Deadline: 11:59pm on Friday, February 21, 2025
Presentation of Awards: The Purchase College President’s Award for Distinguished Alumni will be presented during Commencement on Friday, May 16. Purchase College Alumni Association award honorees will be recognized during the “Night of Reunions” celebration on Friday, May 2, as a part of Alumni Weekend 2025.
Questions: alumni@purchase.edu
Purchase College President’s Award for Distinguished Alumni
The President’s Award for Distinguished Alumni honors Purchase College graduates who have achieved excellence and made significant contributions in their fields and whose influence and service stand as a testament to Purchase College’s impact on their professional success. Previous Recipients | Nominate Now
“Golden Brick”
Honorary Alumni Award
Recognizes an individual who did not graduate from Purchase but whose exemplary accomplishments, service and commitment has benefited the Alumni Association, College alumni (undergraduate or graduate), or helped empower students to become alumni. Nominate Now
Eligibility
- Current or retired Purchase College Faculty, Administrators, and/or Staff
- Benefactors of Purchase College
Criteria
Award recognition is based on the following, but not limited to:
- Contribution to Purchase College and/or the Purchase College Alumni Association
- Contribution to current students, alumni, and alumni engagement
- Recognition of exceptional human and ethical qualities
No self-nominations for this award
Previous recipients include: Claire Anello, Selma Aronson, Patrick Callahan, Lee Ehrman, Ron Herron, Suzanne Kessler, Dee Molinari, Lynn Mahoney, Rich Nassisi, Ernie Palmieri, Charlie Ponce de Leon, Lee Schlesinger, Peter Schwab, Susan Schwarz, Tom Schwarz, Donna Siegmann (posthumous), Renneth Sorhaindo, Clint Spiegel, and Kevin Wallen.
#ProofofPurchase Award
for Alumni Achievement
Recognizes an individual who graduated more than ten years ago (e.g., Class of 2013 or earlier) and who embodies the traditions and values of Purchase College through their character, professional achievement, and/or civic humanitarian service. Nominate Now
Eligibility
Purchase College Classes of 2013 or earlier
A graduate at least 10 years removed from graduation.
Criteria
Award recognition is based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:
- Leader in their professional and/or artistic field
- Exemplifies career excellence
- Innovator in their field
- Champion for equity and social justice
- Community and/or Purchase College engagement
- Advocate for public higher education
No self-nominations for this award
Previous recipients: (2022) Jodi Long ’76 (Acting), and Kristopher Graves ’04 (Photography).
Young Alumni Award
Recognizes a graduate from the last ten years (Class of 2014 or later), who has illustrated distinctive achievement in a career or social/civic involvement. Nominate Now
Eligibility
Purchase College Classes of 2014–2022
A graduate within the past two to ten years.
Criteria
Award recognition is based on, but is not limited to, the following criteria:
- Rising star in a professional field
- Innovation incubator
- Emerging artistic voice
- Community and/or Purchase College engagement
- Advocate for public higher education
No self-nominations for this award
Previous recipients: (2022) Bryan Korn ’12 (Dramatic Writing), and Amanda Poise Santiago ’21 (Theatre and Performance).
Outstanding Commitment
to the Arts Award
Recognizes a graduate for contributions, commitment and advocacy in the Arts. Nominate Now
Eligibility
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Purchase College Classes of 2013 or earlier
A graduate at least 10 years removed from graduation. - Academic discipline: School of the Arts
Criteria
Award recognition is based on, but is not limited to, the following criteria:
- Legacy in the Arts or emerging artistic voice
- Contribution to the Arts
- Advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging in the arts
- Engagement/Stewardship with Purchase College (contributor not necessary, but encouraged)
- Exemplifies artistic excellence
- Innovation Incubator
No self-nominations for this award
Inaugural recipients: Karen Sillas ’85 (Acting) and Ivan Menchell ’83 (Drama Studies)
Outstanding Commitment
to the Liberal Arts and Sciences Award
Recognizes a graduate for contributions, commitment and advocacy in the Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences. Nominate Now
Eligibility
-
Purchase College Classes of 2013 or earlier
A graduate at least 10 years removed from graduation. - Academic discipline: School of the Liberal Arts and Sciences, Liberal Studies, and Continuing Studies
Criteria
Award recognition is based on, but is not limited to, the following criteria:
- Legacy in the Liberal Arts & Sciences or emerging voice
- Contribution to the Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging in the Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Engagement/Stewardship with Purchase College (contributor not necessary, but encouraged)
- Exemplifies excellence
- Innovation Incubator
No self-nominations for this award
Inaugural recipient: Heather Ostman ’92 (Literature)
Resiliency Award
Recognizes a graduate who has shown considerable personal strength and used the education and skills acquired at Purchase to overcome adversity. This award aims to celebrate their achievement in “overcoming the impossible” and offering hope and inspiration to others. Nominate Now
Eligibility
Purchase College Classes of 2022 or earlier
A graduate at least two (2) years removed from graduation.
Criteria
Award recognition is based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:
- Any academic discipline
- Community and/or Purchase College engagement encouraged, but not necessar
Self-nominations are allowed for this award
Inaugural recipient: Colton (Gibbons) Nguyen ’18 (History)
Submit a Nomination for the 2025 Alumni Awards
Awards Criteria
- With the exception of the “Golden Brick” Honorary Alumni Award, all award nominees must have obtained a degree from Purchase College, State University of New York.
- Political candidates may not be selected or honored in a year in which they are actively pursuing election or re-election.
- Awards may be presented posthumously.
- Awards may be withdrawn by the Selection Committee for any cause which reflects poorly upon the College or the Alumni Association.
Nominations
- With the exception of the Resiliency Award, no self nominations will be accepted.
- Nominators shall identify themselves, their affiliation with the nominee, and their affiliation with Purchase College (if any).
- Submit a statement of up to 250-words with examples, links, or references supporting the alumni nomination
Timeline and Process
February 21 Nomination Deadline
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February
Office of Alumni Engagement staff compile all nomination materials received, verifies the candidates, and conducts additional research, as needed. Nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Award are forwarded to the Office of the President of Purchase College, SUNY. All other nominations are forwarded to the PCAA Awards Committee.
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March
The PCAA Awards Committee meets to recommend a slate of prospective award recipients to the full PCAA board for a vote of approval. Award recipients are confirmed by the PCAA Board of Directors. Award recipients are notified and a public announcement is issued.
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May
Presentation of awards during the Alumni Weekend Night of Reunions on Friday evening, May 2, 2025
PCAA Awards Selection Committee
- Members of the PCAA Awards and Alumni Weekend Planning Committee
- Officers of the PCAA Board of Directors and Emeritus Presidents of the Board
- One (1) representative of the Office of Alumni Engagement; and
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At least one (1) full-time staff or faculty member representing Purchase College