ARA Laureates — Call for Nominations

The ARA Laureates awards selection committee invites and encourages nominations from anyone who is committed to Rice and to the standards of honor and excellence the university endeavors to uphold.

Nominations are welcome at any time during the year; awards are presented each May at the ARA's annual Honors Dinner. In order for your nominee to be included in the selection process for a given award year, the completed nomination and supporting documents must be submitted by August 1 of the previous calendar year.

Thus, nominations for 2009 awards are due August 1, 2008. Nominations received after this date will be considered in the next year's selection process.

Nomination criteria for each award and printable nomination forms (which you can open in Adobe Acrobat Reader) are given below. To submit a nomination, return the relevant documents by mail to:

You also may fax your nomination to 713-348-5210.

If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Linn at 713-348-6093 or 800-742-3258 (800-RICE-ALU).

Please note: Members of the selection committee and their spouses are not eligible to receive the award during their period of service on the committee.

Gold Medal — [PDF nomination form] The Gold Medal is the highest award bestowed by the Association of Rice Alumni, and is designed to recognize Rice alumni, faculty, staff, or friends who have rendered extraordinary service to the university. The following criteria will be considered:
	(a) outstanding service in promoting the ideals of the founder of the university.
	(b) unusually deep dedication to and advancement of the academic excellence of the university.
	(c) uncommon generosity of time and means in support of the university.

Preference will be given to living nominees, but posthumous awards are not forbidden.

Distinguished Alumni Award — [PDF nomination form] This award recognizes Rice alumni who have advanced the interests and standards of excellence of Rice University through distinctive professional or volunteer careers. The following criteria will be considered:
	(a) advancement of the value of one's profession; exceptional expertise and dedication.
	(b) significant professional innovations or research findings.
	(c) significant voluntary contributions of energy, time, creativity, and skills for the advancement of the community welfare, the arts, education, social or government service.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is reserved for those who attended the university as an undergraduate or graduate student for a period of at least one year and who are living at the time of consideration. No one who has received the Gold Medal is eligible for this award.

Meritorious Service Award — [PDF nomination form] This award recognizes Rice alumni, faculty, staff, or friends who have made significant, sustained voluntary contributions of energy, time, and creativity toward the advancement of the university. The following criteria will be considered:
	(a) enrichment of some aspect of the Rice community through ongoing dedication and support.
	(b) commitment to the lifelong vitality of the university.

Alumni, active or retired faculty, staff, administrators, and friends of the university who are living at the time of their selection are eligible. No one who has received the Gold Medal is eligible for this award.