Alumni Awards
A Tradition of Recognition & Respect
Each year, during Homecoming & Family Weekend, the Bluefield University Alumni Association honors distinguished alumni for their professional and personal accomplishments as well as their service to the community. Those recognized are nominated by their peers.
Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis and previous nominees will be considered during each selection period. Below you’ll find information about each alumni award, including the BU Athletics Hall of Fame, and the nomination form. Please be sure to include as much information as possible about the nominee to ensure the selection committee has adequate information to make a determination.
Alumni Awards Reception 2023
Fran Louthan (‘60) – Distinguished Hall of Graduates
Alumni Awards Reception 2023
Zach Smith (‘08) – Young Alumnus of the Year
Alumni Awards Reception 2023
Rocky Malamisura – Honorary Alumnus
Alumni Awards Reception 2023
Joey Waltz (‘13) – Primitivo Delgado Christian Service Award
Hall of Distinguished Graduates
The alumnus/alumna selected for this award must meet the following requirements:
- The individual must be a Bluefield University graduate age fifty years or older.
- Throughout their life, they must have reached outstanding accomplishments in their profession, business, community, state, or nation.
- They also must have displayed significant leadership to his/her community through service or profession and represent the values and mission of Bluefield University.
Recipients must not be a current sitting member on the Association Board of Directions. They must display significant service and contribution to the Alumni Association of Bluefield University.
All Bluefield University graduates are eligible for this award. Alumni that did not graduate from Bluefield University are not eligible for this award. This award will be given to only one recipient each year at Homecoming.
Honorary Alumni Award
This award was established to honor individuals who are not alumni of Bluefield University. However, they are to be commended and given honorary alumni status due to their significant contributions of service and support to the University and its mission and vision. This person must also be a representation of the values and mission of Bluefield University.
This award will be presented each year at Homecoming to no more than one individual or couple.
Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award
The alumnus/alumna selected for this award must meet the following requirements:
- The individual must be a Bluefield University alumnus/alumna, and at least forty years old.
- Throughout their life, they must have reached outstanding accomplishments in their profession, business, community, state, or nation.
- They also must have displayed significant leadership to his/her community through service or profession, and represent the values and mission of Bluefield University.
Recipients must not be a current sitting member on the Association Board of Directions. They must display significant service and contribution to the Alumni Association of Bluefield University.
All Bluefield University Association members are eligible for this award. This award will be given to only one recipient each year at Homecoming.
Distinguished Young Alumnus/Alumna Award
The alumnus/alumna that is selected for this award must meet the following requirements:
- The individual must be a Bluefield University graduate forty (40) years old or younger, and exhibit the values and mission of Bluefield University.
- Outstanding accomplishments in their profession, business, community, state, or nation will be the criteria used to select individuals.
- Other criteria will include the display of significant leadership to his/her community through service or profession, and the individual must also represent the value and mission of Bluefield University.
Recipients must not be a current sitting member on the Association Board of Directors. He/She must display significant service and contribution to the Alumni Association of Bluefield University.
All Bluefield University graduates are eligible for this award. Alumni that did not graduate from Bluefield University are not eligible for this award. This award will be given to only one recipient each year at Homecoming.
Volunteer of the Year Award
This award is presented each year at Homecoming to an individual, alumnus/alumna, or friend of Bluefield University, who displays service to the University through service. The measurement of service can be identified through fundraising, recruiting, support, or faithful service to the University, and the event should be a significant endeavor. This individual must also be a representative of the values and mission of Bluefield University.
Primitivo Delgado Christian Service Award
Bluefield University holds service as a core value. It is seen in student activities, the University’s academic programs, and is a way of life for the faculty, staff, and alumni of the University. Therefore in 2004, the Primitivo Delgado Christian Service Award was created.
This recipient should be either a Bluefield University graduate, alumni, faculty member, staff member, or student. The individual should display continual service and compassion in his/her ministry. He/She also must have displayed significant leadership to his/her community through service or profession, and represent the values and mission of Bluefield University. Recipients must not be a current sitting member on the Association Board of Directors. This award will be given to only one recipient or couple each year at Homecoming.
Athletics Hall of Fame
The Bluefield University Athletic Hall of Fame was established to pay tribute and give recognition to former athletes, coaches, and others of meritorious service who have made exceptional contributions to the athletic programs of the University. Membership shall consist of athletes, coaches, trainers, athletic administrators, and others of meritorious service who fulfilled the purpose of this established award. Inductees will be selected by a committee of the following individuals:
- Bluefield University Director of Alumni Relations, Chair
- Bluefield University Athletic Director
- Two coaches from the active coaching staff at Bluefield University
- The faculty representative to athletics at Bluefield University
- The Bluefield University Alumni Association Vice President
- A Bluefield University Alumni Association member
Athlete Criteria:
- One must have been an athlete as documented in the College’s records.
- The nominee must have graduated from Bluefield University.
At least two years of the nominee’s intercollegiate athletic competition must have been at Bluefield University.
Alumni Award Nomination Form
Thank you for taking the time to nominate an exceptional individual for a Bluefield University Alumni Award! Please know that the depth of your responses significantly impacts the evaluation process.
To ensure a comprehensive and objective selection process, kindly ensure that each section of the nomination form is completed thoroughly. Be sure to provide detailed information, examples, and anecdotes that showcase the nominee’s excellence. Nominations lacking key information and substance are less likely to compete with those that are thorough and informative.