Descriptions of Awards
The Alumni Association honors Otterbein's distinguished graduates and friends with the following awards, which are presented yearly at a luncheon during Alumni Weekend.
Distinguished Alumnus
The Distinguished Alumni Award represents the most prestigious award presented by the Alumni Association of Otterbein College. Traditionally presented to only one individual per year, this award was established in 1951 to honor graduates of Otterbein College who have achieved recognized prominence in their chosen career and have made significant contributions to their profession, community and the lives of others. Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award represent the ideal of a committed, industrious, and caring individual to whom the Otterbein community may look as an exemplar.
Special Achievement
Established in 1966, the Special Achievement Award recognizes excellence and high professional achievement by an individual in his or her field of endeavor. The award is presented to Otterbein graduates whose career contributions have significantly enhanced their profession and/or the organization to which the recipient is employed.
Service to Otterbein
This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have freely and unselfishly given their time, talents, and services for the betterment of Otterbein College. The award was established in 1964 to honor Otterbein graduates who have significantly enhanced the campus community and added a dimension to campus life and the future of the College that made their service distinctive.
Alumni Community Service Award
This distinction honors an alumna/us who exemplifies the College's philosophy of concern and responsible commitment to society as demonstrated through volunteer service to the community beyond the call of business or professional duty.
Honorary Alumnus
The Honorary Alumni Award was created in 1950 for the purpose of recognizing and honoring those individuals, who, though not graduates of Otterbein College, have demonstrated outstanding interest, commitment and involvement in its life and activities. Recipients embody the notion that friends of the College, in addition to its alumni, can play an important and vital role in the enhancement of the institution.