Criteria & Nomination Forms
Nominations for the 2025 alumni awards are due Friday, February 7, 2025. Nominations received after this date will be eligible for awards presented in 2026.
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The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice is proud to recognize outstanding alumni through the following awards:
Honoring Lifetime Achievement
This prestigious award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated extraordinary success and consistent, long-term, high-level achievement in the field of social work.
Selection Criteria:
- Stellar advances that have enhanced the social work profession overall
- Success of enterprises, agencies, divisions, or initiatives directly attributed to the nominee's efforts
- Clinical innovation, policy innovation, or research advances directly attributed to the nominee's work
- Influential advocacy for advances in social work or related professions
- Recognition by colleagues, peers, the public, and clients for outstanding contributions to social welfare
- Active support of the Crown Family School community and current students
- Consistent practice and modeling of exemplary ethics
The next nomination cycle for the Edith Abbott Award will be in 2026.
Honoring Recent Graduate Excellence
This award celebrates a recent graduate who has demonstrated exceptional promise in the social services sector.
Eligibility:
- AM or PhD graduates from the Crown Family School within the last ten years
Selection Criteria:
- Extraordinary career success relative to time since graduation
- Recognition by peers for outstanding contributions to social welfare
- Advocacy for improved social welfare at clinical, policy, or administrative levels
- Exemplary leadership and valuable skills brought to the profession
- Commitment to ethical practice and professional values
- Active support of the Crown Family School community and current students
- Embodiment of Elizabeth Butler's ethos: "It's not what they've done, it's what they bring to the profession."
Successful candidates will demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Strong commitment to social change
- Exceptional leadership in an agency or community
- Creativity in non-traditional or innovative approaches to practice
- Contributions to the field through research and publications
Click on this link to complete the nomination form and upload supporting documents.
Celebrating Career-Long Impact
This award recognizes alumni from milestone reunion classes for their significant contributions to the field of social work.
Eligibility:
- Graduates from reunion classes ending in "0" and "5" (For 2025: classes of 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020)
Selection Criteria:
- Exemplary embodiment of social work values
- Exceptional performance in clinical or administrative practice
- Strong commitment to the social work profession
- Demonstrated efforts towards social justice and community well-being
- Consistent support for vulnerable individuals
- Noteworthy career achievements, including "unsung" contributions
Up to two graduates from each eligible class may be honored.
Click on this link to complete the nomination form and upload supporting documentation.
Recognizing Dedicated Service
This award celebrates alumni who have provided exceptional service to the Crown Family School over an extended period of time.
Eligibility:
- Alumni with ten or more years of service to the Crown Family School
Selection Criteria:
- Consistent and impactful volunteerism, including board or committee involvement
- Meaningful contributions through financial support
- Dedication to student or alumni mentorship
- Overall embodiment of service to the Crown Family School
Click on this link to complete the nomination form and upload supplemental documentation.