Nominations open for 2025 Alumni Awards

Central Michigan University is once again gearing up to celebrate alumni and friends who have made significant contributions of their time, talents or financial resources to benefit the institution.

Nominations for the 2025 Alumni Awards are now open. The deadline to nominate an outstanding alumna or alumnus is 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 28.

Included among the honorees, the Division of Student Affairs will present the Student Life Dedication and Service Award. The prize recognizes an alumnus or alumna who served as a student leader or employee during their time on the Mount Pleasant campus.

The recipient will be distinguished based on both their academic time on campus and their post-graduation commitment to the university and its standards. Criteria for consideration include:

• The candidate’s contributions through leadership, service and dedication while a student of Central Michigan University.
• The candidate’s work promoting collaboration and partnerships, while enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the communities they serve.
• The candidate’s records of professional achievements and community service. The honoree will have achieved prominence in their career and brought distinction to the university or their community through their accomplishments.

Last year’s award was presented to Dr. Spencer Long (’08, ’10), the chief education, engagement and events officer for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. 

During his time at Central Michigan University, Dr. Long was deeply involved in campus activities, starting in his earliest days on campus as a freshman attendee of Leadership Safari. He would become a guide, core team member and staff assistant for Leadership Safari; serve as treasurer of and senator for the Student Government Association; and play a key role in establishing the Victory Cannon – the trophy that still marks the winner of the CMU-Western Michigan rivalry football game -- among other campus-centric accomplishments.

Today, Long continues his service to Central Michigan University as Alumni Board member emeritus. 

“Take advantage of everything while you can,” he said of his alma matter. “It’s a special place.”

Additional awards accepting nominations through the end of the month include the:

• Dick Enberg CMU Alumni Commitment Award
• Alumni Service Recognition Award
• Corporate or Foundation Partner Award
• Distinguished Alumni Award
• Honorary Alumni Award
• Future Alumni Leader Award