Alumni Awards
The Distinguished Alumni Awards honor the very best of Saint Mary's College graduates, faculty/staff, and friends of the college. Presented annually, these award recognize outstanding service, educators, leadership, commitment to Saint Mary's and more.
Nominations open!
The nomination period for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards is open now through Monday, October 21. Submit your nomination of an outstanding alumna/us, faculty or staff member, or friend of Saint Mary's.
Honorees will be announced this winter and recognized at an on-campus ceremony on February 15, 2025.
2024 Alumni Awards Recipients
Read about the six graduates and honorary alumni and their excellence reflective of the Saint Mary's College mission.
Awardees' ProfilesPast Alumni Awards Recipients
Recognizing previous outstanding alumni recipients.
Awards Categories
Each year Saint Mary's College of California's Alumni Association honors deserving Gaels and friends by bestowing eight different awards for outstanding service to the SMC community.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Alumnus/Alumna of the Year
Awarded to the alumnus/a who has made a significant contribution to his/her professional field and/or has demonstrated consistent service to the College, exemplifying the spirit and dedication of the Saint Mary's College graduate.
Golden Gael Award
Awarded to a member of the Saint Mary’s community who has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to the College through loyalty, connection, and philanthropy. Recognizes dedication to promote and advance the mission, support the efforts of advancement and access to education, and embody the spirit of our founder, Saint John Baptist De La Salle.
Signum Fidei Award
Awarded to the alumnus/a for outstanding participation in the goals of higher education, in the spirit of the founder of the Christian Brothers, patron of all teachers, Saint John Baptist De La Salle.
Saint John Baptist De La Salle Award
Presented to a member of the faculty or staff who has, over a period of years, demonstrated a personal commitment to the students of Saint Mary's College above and beyond their employee responsibilities. This personal commitment is evidenced by a demonstrated commitment to one or more of the five Lasallian Core Principles.
Honorary Alumnus/Alumna
Awarded in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the mission of Saint Mary's College.
Meritorious Service Award
Presented to an alumnus/a who has exemplified the mission of the College by commitment to service in his or her own community or the College.
Emerging Leader Award
Awarded to a recent alumnus (graduated 10 years or fewer) in recognition of leadership and ongoing and noteworthy support of the current students and recent alumni of Saint Mary's College and/or his or her local community.
Global Gael Award
Presented to a Saint Mary's College alumnus/a who has demonstrated exemplary dedication to the international community–either through their professional work and/or service abroad–in the spirit of our Catholic and Lasallian traditions.