Don and Shirley Wirth Young Alumni Award

This award recognizes exceptional achievements in career, public service or volunteer activities that bring honor to Oregon State University. Nominations are reviewed, and awards granted, by the OSU Alumni Association Board of Directors’ standing Awards Committee. Nominations may be submitted by alumni, friends of the university, faculty and staff members.

Eligibility Considerations:

1. Any alumnus of Oregon State University who are 35 years of age or younger during the calendar year they are honored.
2. The award shall recognize individuals whose service to the university, service to their community or accomplishment in their chosen career reflects positively on all alumni and the university.
3. In addition, please highlight how your nominees' service and accomplishments relate to one or more of the following areas:
   • Supported and/or activated change within industry, local community and/or OSU community in respect to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice.
   • Supported governmental and community advocacy efforts for Oregon State University, OSU Alumni Association and/or OSU Foundation’s education efforts, research and programs.
   • Supported students and graduates with career advice and connections to alumni, donors and friends and/or providing their career expertise to university leadership, faculty and staff to guide outreach and educational efforts of the OSU community. 
   • Supported engagement activities designed to cultivate stewardship and donations, and/or help strengthen the OSU community.

Those Ineligible For Nominations:

• A candidate or an elected official for any public office. 

• Anyone currently serving as a member of the OSU Board of Trustees, OSU Alumni Board of Directors or OSU Foundation Board of Trustees; and/or an OSU Alumni Association, OSU Foundation, INTO OSU or Oregon State University employee.

Nominations Submissions will include:

• Letter of nomination which includes individual's reason for nomination
• Current resume or vitae
• Original nomination form in cover page
• Other supporting documentation such as newspaper articles, links to videos and/or presentations with a short summary describing the content for each link, letters of reference, etc. 

Selecting Body:

All nominations will be reviewed by the OSUAA Awards Committee, who will make the selection.

Nominations:

Deadline: May 1, 2026.  Information and nomination form

Announcement, Time And Place Of Presentation Of Award:

1. The Director of Alumni Relations will inform recipient after they have been selected
2. The Director will then notify the college of the recipient when the recipient has agreed to return for the award ceremony
3. OSUAA will consider all nominations active for three years, or until the nominee reaches the age of 35, whichever occurs first. Nominations may be updated during the three-year period.