Award Categories

View the description and criteria for each of our Alumni Award categories. Note that awards are presented on Reunion weekend as part of the schedule of events and recipients are expected to return to Macalester to accept the award in person.

Alumni Service Award

Nominations for this award are made by Macalester staff and faculty. The award recognizes alumni for significant service and consistent loyalty to the college. Alumni Service Award recipients exemplify the spirit of volunteerism toward their alma mater.

Catharine Lealtad, Class of 1915, Service to Society Award

The Catharine Lealtad, Class of 1915, Service to Society Award honors a Macalester alumni of color who have used their Macalester education to distinguish themselves in service to community.  The award was established in memory of Catharine Lealtad, Class of 1915, the first African American graduate of Macalester. She had an admirable career as a physician, in the military and as a medical missionary, and served children and the poor around the world.

Catharine Lealtad Award recipients demonstrate a practical acceptance of these obligations in their lives and work fulfilling the following criteria:

• an alumnus/alumna of color who is a role model for people of color
• leadership or significant accomplishment in civic, religious and/or professional activities
• college education the source of inspiration and training
• unselfish and effective service to the community

Charles J. Turck Global Citizen Award

The Macalester College Charles J. Turck Global Citizen Award honors the legacy of Charles J. Turck, president of Macalester College from 1939 to 1958.  Lawyer, educator, social activist, internationalist and churchman, President Turck championed internationalism throughout his tenure and was an inspiring presence to Macalester students. This award recognizes an alumnus who has advanced the cause of the internationalist spirit and lived up to the exhortation, “to be a worthy son or daughter of Macalester, you must listen to your hopes and not your fears.” The settings where they have made their contributions, the populations with whom they work, and their ability to serve as a bridge between cultural groups are all considered in the selection process. Global Citizen Award recipients fulfill the following criteria:

• They have provided inspirational leadership throughout their lives in their civic and professional activities
• Their work has had an impact on the international community
• They have lived their lives as citizens of the world, promoting global understanding, peace and justice

Distinguished Citizen Award

The Macalester College Distinguished Citizen Award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, achievement and active involvement with their local community through their lifetime.  It is given because the Macalester College Alumni Association, Board of Trustees, and faculty believe that a college education should be the training and inspiration for unselfish and effective service.

Distinguished Citizen Award recipients demonstrate a practical acceptance of these obligations in their lives and work fulfilling the following criteria:

• leadership or significant accomplishment in civic, religious and/or professional activities
• college education the source of inspiration and training
• unselfish and effective service in their lives and work to the community, the nation and/or the world

Young Alumni Award

The Macalester College Young Alumni Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has graduated within the past 15 years and demonstrated outstanding involvement and achievement in their post-graduate education, community contributions, career advancement, and their service to Macalester.

Young Alumni Award recipients demonstrate a practical acceptance of these obligations in their lives and work fulfilling the following criteria:

• graduated from Macalester within the past 15 years
• leadership or significant accomplishment in civic, religious and/or professional activities
• college education the source of inspiration and training
• unselfish and effective service in their lives and work to the community, the nation and/or the world