Alumni Awards

The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice takes pride in our thousands of alumni who work tirelessly to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. Each year, during Alumni Weekend, we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our graduates through several prestigious awards.

Save the Date: The next Alumni Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, during Alumni Weekend.

Nomination Deadline: Please submit nominations by Friday, February 7, 2025.

Crown Family School Awards

Edith Abbott Award (Biennial)

Recognizes lifetime achievement and distinguished service to society. Honors alumni who have made outstanding professional contributions at local, national, or international levels.
Next nomination cycle: 2026

Elizabeth Butler Award (Biennial)

Celebrates recent graduates (within the last ten years) who have shown exceptional promise in social work, demonstrating commitment to social change and innovative approaches to practice.
Accepting nominations for 2025

Social Impact Award (Biennial)

Honors mid-career alumni (at least ten years post-graduation) who have excelled beyond the norm, showing leadership and creativity in addressing social problems.
Next nomination cycle: 2026

Milestone Achievement Award (Annual)

Recognizes alumni from milestone reunion classes for their contributions to social work, honoring "unsung heroes" who embody social work values and strive for social justice.
Accepting nominations for 2025 (Classes ending in 0 and 5) 

Distinctive Innovation in Social Services Award (Annual)

Celebrates social service agencies and programs demonstrating innovative approaches and practices in the field.
Accepting nominations for 2025

Volunteer Leadership Award (Annual)

Acknowledges alumni who have provided exceptional service to the Crown Family School for ten years or more through activities such as giving, volunteerism, board involvement, and mentorship.
Accepting nominations for 2025

Nomination Process

We encourage all members of the Crown Family School community to nominate deserving alumni for these awards. Your nominations help us recognize the diverse and impactful work of our graduates across all career stages.

Please visit our Criteria & Nomination Forms Page to submit a nomination or for more information about each award's specific criteria.

Join us in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our alumni and their contributions to the field of social work!