Each year, the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association presents accomplished alumni, friends, students and faculty with awards in honor of their achievements and/or service. At Homecoming, four categories of awards are given: Alumni Achievement, Distinguished Service, Nita M. Landrum, and the Young Alumni. The Association presents the Alumni Achievement, Distinguished Service, Nita M. Landrum, and Young Alumni awards at the annual Homecoming Alumni and Endowment Awards Banquet. View 2007 award winners. We are accepting nominations for 2008 through February 27, 2009.

Alumni Achievement Award, established in 1959, honors graduates who have made outstanding and unselfish contributions in service to their community, state, or nations as citizens, in chosen career fields, or through philanthropic work. It is the university's highest recognition of its graduates. Previous Recipients

Distinguished Service Award, established in 1974, recognizes an individual(s) who is not a graduate but is known as a friend of the university. The honor is reserved for those who have demonstrated a continuing concern for humanity on a universal, national, state or community level; who support spiritual, cultural and educational objectives; and who endorse and exemplify the highest standards of character and personal attributes. Previous Recipients

Nita M. Landrum Award, established in 1994, recognizes alumni or friends who have provided sustained volunteer service for the betterment of the Alumni Association and/or FHSU, especially in their home communities or at any local level. Previous Recipients

Young Alumni Award, established in 1977, is designed to recognize those early in their career who have had outstanding achievements and recent accomplishments. The award is based upon professional and educational achievements, community activities, honors and awards received and other noteworthy items of merit since graduation. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from FHSU, be members of the 10-15 reunion classes, and be under age 40 as of Jan. 1 of the year the awards are presented. Previous Recipients

Torch and Pilot Awards
At Commencement, the Association gives the Torch and Pilot awards, recognizing an outstanding student and faculty member respectively. Five walnut panels carry a permanent record of recipients of the awards. The panels grace the Promenade Gallery of the FHSU Memorial Union. See previous Torch Award Winners and Pilot Award Winners.

Pilot Award, established in 1974, recognizes an outstanding faculty member. All teaching faculty are eligible after three years of continuous service at Fort Hays State University; past recipients of the award are eligible after a five-year waiting period. Members of the graduating senior class nominate candidates. A committee of seniors, faculty and administrators, chaired by the Assistant Alumni Director, selects the recipient.

Torch Award, established in 1974, recognizes an outstanding senior who is graduating. FHSU faculty members nominate candidates and a committee of faculty and administrators, chaired by an alumni administrator, selects the recipient.