Cornell is proud to have 6,500+ enthusiastic CAAAN alumni volunteers around the world. The CAAAN Recognition Program honors a rookie of the year, committee member of the year, and a committee chair of the year.

With the CALS Outstanding Alumni Awards, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the CALS Alumni Association honor alumni who have achieved recognized success in their businesses, professions, or other avocational endeavors; have been actively involved in, worked for, and demonstrated leadership on behalf of the college and Cornell University; and have made significant contributions to the betterment of society through humanitarian and charitable endeavors.

The Carlos R. Quintanilla Distinguished Latino Alumni Award recognizes alumni for exceptional achievements and significant contributions to their professions, community, and society as a whole; for their demonstrated commitment to the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management; and for promoting the advancement of Latinos in the business world.

Each year, Cornell Asian Alumni Association selects one honoree for recognition at the annual Pan-Asian Celebration, the organization’s signature fundraising gathering in support of the CAAA scholarships and partnership with the Asian and Asian American Center. Through this recognition, CAAA seeks to celebrate the great achievements and work done by alumni in support of and as an example to the Cornell Asian community, both on and off campus.

The Athletics Hall of Fame at Cornell was founded to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who, either through participation, support, or interest, have made outstanding contributions to Cornell athletics, and who have helped to bring recognition, honor, distinction, and excellence to their alma mater. Only those candidates who have met the standards of excellence established by the existing members of the Hall of Fame shall be considered.

The Cornell Icon of the Industry Award honors the lifetime achievements of hospitality and travel industry visionaries, for their professional and philanthropic contributions that have transformed the global industry and society

The Cornell Law Alumni Exemplary Public Service Awards proudly recognizes alumni who have incorporated public service into their legal careers. We are proud of the work they have accomplished which brings pride and distinction to the Law School.

The Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association (CU-NYHSNAA) first started awarding our Distinguished Alumni Award in 1974. The award is given at our annual Alumni Day in May. To date 60 graduates have received the award. The Purpose of the award is to recognize the professional achievements of alumni of the CU-NYHSN who have distinguished themselves in nursing in one or more of the following fields of nursing: Nursing Practice; Nursing Service; Nursing Education; Nursing Research; Teaching. Significant contributions should have been made in one or more of the following ways: Publishing; Lecturing; Original Research; Clinical Studies. Supporting data and letters of support are required.

Established by the Alumni Association in 1986, the Daniel Elmer Salmon Award for Distinguished Alumni Service honors Cornell Veterinary College DVM graduates who have distinguished themselves in service to the profession, their communities or to the college.

The Cornell Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award proudly recognizes alumni whose accomplishments have produced a meaningful impact on society, demonstrated a sustained commitment to excellence, and brings pride and distinction to the Cornell Engineering community.

The Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes the achievements and qualities of a Cornellian who best exemplifies the ideals of entrepreneurship by meeting all or most of the following criteria:
• Started and successfully managed a business, contributed substantially to the turnaround or growth of a business, or managed a larger business in a way that has demonstrated notable entrepreneurial characteristics and achievements;
• Contributed to the private enterprise system in ways that are an inspiration to others;
• Used his or her business skills and creativity to enrich humanity;
• Conducted his or her business and personal relationships with the highest integrity.

The Frank H. T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award honors alumni who have given long-term volunteer service to Cornell throughout the broad spectrum of Cornell’s alumni organizations. Up to six alumni receive this prestigious award each year.

The Helen Bull Vandervort ‘26 Alumni Achievement Award honors Cornell Human Ecology (CHE) alumni who excel in their field, provide selfless leadership, and reflect CHE’s commitment to improving lives.

The Henry P. Renard '54, MBA '55 Regional Club of the Year Award recognizes regional Johnson Club leaders and members for the innovation, creativity, and diversity of their programs, the total number of events hosted, and the percent of local alumni who attend.

Presented annually since 1999, the Recent Alumni Achievement Award seeks to recognize alumni who graduated within the past fifteen years who have demonstrated excellence and personal commitment to professional, community, College or University activities.

TheJerome Alpern Award was established in 1997 and named in honor of Jerome Alpern '49, whose contributions of outstanding service and support to the ILR School, its students, and its alumni, combined with his professional accomplishments outside the field of industrial and labor relations, embody the essence and spirit of the Alpern Award.

Johnson Alumni Reunion Awards recognize each year’s reunion classes that achieve records in giving and in reunion attendance.

Judge William B. Groat (1899-1986) served as counsel to the New York State Joint Legislative Committee on Industrial and Labor Relations, where he played a pivotal role in founding the ILR School and drafting its charter. The Groat Alumni Award was established in 1971 in honor of Judge Groat's vision and in tribute to his professional accomplishments, which culminated in appointment as justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Eleventh Judicial District.

The L. Joseph Thomas Leadership Award is a lifetime achievement award that recognizes alumni for their exceptional demonstration of vision and leadership, sound business sense, and commitment to community.

The Mosaic Medal of Distinction recognizes Cornell faculty members, administrators and alumni for their impact and leadership on creating opportunities for diverse communities, and was established by Cornell Mosaic, an organization of Cornell alumni and friends created in 2006 to increase the number of diverse alumni engaged with the university.

The Out in Business Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 2019, recognizes alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in business and society, attained outstanding professional achievement, and made a significant impact on the Cornell MBA community.

The Robert J. Swieringa Recent Alumni Service Award recognizes alumni for their exemplary commitment to to Johnson and its alumni, and continued engagement with Johnson as a volunteer leader in many engagement activities.

The Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award is intended to honor recent alumni (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) who are 0-10 years past their Cornell graduation with demonstrated outstanding contributions to one or more Cornell volunteer organizations or University initiatives. The goals of this award are as follows: Formally recognize young alumni volunteer work and service to Cornell, motivate young alumni to deeply engage in Cornell volunteering, and honor volunteer contributions across diverse dimensions. Awards will be announced each spring semester at the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference (CALC).

Induction into the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management Hall of Honor is the highest form of recognition that the dean can render in the name of the Johnson community. The Hall of Honor pays tribute to those who have been the most generous supporters of the School-as evidenced by their outstanding leadership and dedicated service in building Johnson’s strength. These alumni and friends are honored for their devotion and commitment to the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management.

The Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award is a lifetime achievement award that recognizes extraordinary alumni for their sustained and exemplary commitment to Johnson and its alumni.

Established in 2014, the Sloan Alumni Achievement Award award seeks to recognize a Sloan alumnae/alumnus who through their endeavors in healthcare administration demonstrate the relevance and significance of the education they received in the Sloan Program at Cornell University. As leaders they have branched out in many directions to use their knowledge and skills to change the world.

The Sloan Alumni Association Recent Alumni Achievement Award, established in 2018, is given to a Sloan alumnus or alumna who has graduated within the past fifteen years in recognition of a commitment to excellence in post-collegiate life and a significant or ongoing commitment to extraordinary work, research or volunteerism. This award highlights the tremendous talents and contributions that young people make to their profession, to their community, and to the Sloan program. Recipients are those which richly inspire other young alumni and current students of the program.

Every year, Cornell Pride (formerly CUGALA) has honored an exemplary LGBTQIA+ alumnus or noted Cornell affiliate with the annual Steven W. Siegel '68 Award. Steven Siegel '68 was CUGALA’s tireless leader for more than 25 years, encouraging alumni to get involved and serving as an alumni voice for LGBT students. Steven was a devoted Cornellian and received the Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award, becoming the first openly gay recipient of the award. He passed away in January 2012, leaving behind a strong legacy for LGBT alumni. Cornell Pride has recently expanded the awards program to honor the following categories:
• Siegel Award: Honors a Cornell alumnus who embodies these values of service and LGBT advocacy.
• Young Alumni Achievement Award: Recognizing a young alumnus who exemplifies the spirit of the Siegel Award within 15 years out of graduating.
• Student Leader Award: Elevates the advocacy and work of a graduating student leader on Cornell’s campus who is contributing to the LGBTQ+ community.

The Wilbur Parker Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes African American alumni who demonstrate outstanding professional achievement and commitment to their community, and who embody the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management's shared values of mutual respect, collaboration, integrity and trust, pride and accountability, professionalism, and investment in self.

The William “Bill” Vanneman ’31 Outstanding Class Leader Award recognizes class officers who have provided long-term exemplary service to the university and to their classes. The award is named in honor of Bill Vanneman ’31, who served his class tirelessly for over 70 years.