UWL Distinguished Alumni Awards
A page within UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation
About the UWL Distinguished Alumni Awards
Each year, the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse proudly recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves through outstanding contributions to their professions, communities, and the university.
In celebration of their achievements, Distinguished Alumni Award recipients return to campus each spring to be honored at a special brunch and awards ceremony.
Alumni and friends are invited to join us for the 50th UWL Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 10, 2027 in the Bluffs Ballroom, Student Union.
Burt & Norma Altman Teacher Education Award
2026 Recipient: Amy Oliver, ’05 & ’08
- Principal of Hintgen Elementary School in La Crosse
- Former UWL adjunct faculty member
- Student-oriented leader who has partnered on community projects benefiting students and families.
- Learn more about Amy | Light Reads
Burt & Norma Altman Teacher Education Award
The purpose of the Burt & Norma Altman Teacher Education Award is to honor and recognize outstanding educators and the significant contributions they make to children, schools and the communities they serve.
This award is presented annually at the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony.
Criteria for the Burt & Norma Altman Teacher Education Award
- Attended classes at UW-La Crosse, but does not have to be a UWL graduate
- Must have made a significant contribution to education or an education-related profession as well as the school(s) and/or communities they serve
- Distinctive record of achievement, which may or may not have been publicly recognized
- Current UWL faculty and staff members are ineligible
- Candidates must be living
Solicitation of nominations
- Nominations are accepted year round.
Nominate an Alumni!
Were you nominated?
First off, congratulations! We will notify nominees and ask them to submit the following via our Qualtrics Survey:
- A vita/resume. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee suggests you limit your submission to relevant and important facets of your career that relate to the award criteria. We believe this can be done for most persons in about 10 or less pages.
- Three letters of reference. (If more than three letters are received, only the first three (3) letters received will be placed in the nomination folder.) Please be sure all letter writers include their address and contact information. All letter writers will be notified if their nominee is chosen as a recipient.
Selection Process
Selection Process
- Complete nomination materials are reviewed by the Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee, which provides recommendations to the Engagement & Philanthropy Committee. The Engagement & Philanthropy Committee reviews the recommendations and makes the final selections.
- The Vice Chancellor for University Advancement will notify the recipient(s) of their award(s).
- Recipients are highly encouraged to attend the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony to formally celebrate and recognize this accomplishment!
- Completed nominations are eligible for consideration for two award cycles. After two award cycles, a new nomination must be submitted for the individual to be considered again.
Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumni Award
The purpose of the Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumni Award is to recognize alumni who have achieved honor and distinction with recognition and reputations that extend well beyond the immediate environments in which they live and work.
This award is presented annually at the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony.
Graff Distinguished Alumni Award
2026 Recipient: Dan Kraeger, ’83
- Medical director of Heartland Hospice-Central Wisconsin in Stevens Point
- Experienced sports medicine physician with a successful track record in healthcare
- Highly engaged community member who has led annual mission trips to Latin and South America.
- Learn more about Dan | Light Reads
Criteria for the Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumni Award
- Attended classes at UW-La Crosse, but does not have to be a UWL graduate
- At least 20 years since attended UWL
- Must have a high ranking in his/her profession
- Must have made numerous contributions to others
- Distinctive records of achievement with recognition and reputations, which extend well beyond the immediate environments in which they live and work
- The record of distinctive achievement for the candidates should extend over a substantial period of time to assure continuity of performance, stability and maturity
- Current faculty members are not eligible
- Candidates must be living
Standards for consideration include distinctive records of achievement, with recognition and reputation which extend well beyond the immediate environments in which they live and work. This record of distinctive achievement should extend over a substantial period of time to assure continuity of performance, stability and maturity.
Solicitation of nominations
- Nominations are accepted year round.
Nominate an Alumni!
Were you nominated?
First off, congratulations! We will notify nominees and ask them to submit the following via our Qualtrics Survey:
- A vita/resume. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee suggests you limit your submission to relevant and important facets of your career that relate to the award criteria. We believe this can be done for most persons in about 10 or less pages.
- Three letters of reference. (If more than three letters are received, only the first three (3) letters received will be placed in the nomination folder.) Please be sure all letter writers include their address and contact information. All letter writers will be notified if their nominee is chosen as a recipient.
Selection Process
- Complete nomination materials are reviewed by the Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee, which provides recommendations to the Engagement & Philanthropy Committee. The Engagement & Philanthropy Committee reviews the recommendations and makes the final selections.
- The Vice Chancellor for University Advancement will notify the recipient(s) of their award(s).
- Recipients are highly encouraged to attend the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony to formally celebrate and recognize this accomplishment!
- Completed nominations are eligible for consideration for two award cycles. After two award cycles, a new nomination must be submitted for the individual to be considered again.
Morgan Improving Lives Alumni Award
The purpose of the Morgan Improving Lives Alumni Award is to recognize a UWL undergraduate alumni who has chosen a career in the La Crosse Region dedicated to improving the lives of others.
The award includes a scholarship presented to a current student in a department of the recipient's choosing.
This award is presented annually at the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony.
Morgan Improving Lives Alumni Award
2026 Recipient: Elizabeth Evans, ’05
- Community impact director for Great Rivers United Way
- Nonprofit professional with 18-plus years of service to greater La Crosse
- Community leader engaged with organizations working to end homelessness and support mental health.
- Learn more about Elizabeth | Light Reads
Criteria for the Morgan Improving Lives Alumni Award
- Received an undergraduate degree from UWL.
- Chosen a career in the local region dedicated to improving the lives of others.
- Current resident with 5 or more years in the La Crosse region (within 50 miles).
- Career focus on human services, positively affecting the lives of others.
- Preference for employment in a non-profit or not-for-profit organization.
- Preference for a career outside the traditional K-12 education (other awards honor K-12 alums).
- Candidate need not have evidence of additional service to the community (e.g., volunteer or civic) the goal is to acknowledge those who have chosen a human services career.
Nominate an Alumni!
Were you nominated?
First off, congratulations! We will notify nominees and ask them to submit the following via our Qualtrics Survey:
- A resume. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee suggests you limit your submission to relevant and important facets of your career that relate to the award criteria. We believe this can be done for most people in 10 or less pages.
- Three letters of reference. (If more than three letters are received, only the first three (3) letters received will be placed in the nomination folder.) Please be sure all letter writers include their address and contact information. All letter writers will be notified if their nominee is selected.
Selection Process
- Complete nomination materials are reviewed by the Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee, which provides recommendations to the Engagement & Philanthropy Committee. The Engagement & Philanthropy Committee reviews the recommendations and makes the final selections.
- The Vice Chancellor for University Advancement will notify the recipient(s) of their award(s).
- Recipients are highly encouraged to attend the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony to formally celebrate and recognize this accomplishment!
- Completed nominations are eligible for consideration for two award cycles. After two award cycles, a new nomination must be submitted for the individual to be considered again.
Parker Distinguished Multicultural Alumni Award
The Parker Distinguished Multicultural Alumni Award recognizes outstanding alumni who have contributed significantly to the improvement of multicultural understanding on the campus and in their careers.
Co-founder in 1971 of the precursor to OMSS and the Department of Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies, history professor Emeritus Dr. James Parker, initiated the award in 1997.
This award is presented annually at the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony.
Parker Distinguished Multicultural Alumni Award
2026 Recipient: Tacara Lovings, ’12
- Executive director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
- Key contributor in the creation of an LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group at the DPI
- Strategic thinker who empowers teams and builds consensus around shared values and goals.
- Learn more about Tacara | Light Reads
Criteria for the Parker Distinguished Multicultural Alumni Award
- Alumni must be multicultural or have contributed significantly to the improvement of multiracial culture and understanding on the campus and in their careers.
- Achieved distinction in a chosen field of endeavor since graduation
- Contributions to his/her field that have not necessarily received public acclaim
- Human and ethical qualities
- Contribution/involvement with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Nominate an Alumni!
Were you nominated?
First off, congratulations! We will notify nominees and ask them to submit the following via our Qualtrics Survey:
- A vita/resume. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee suggests you limit your submission to relevant and important facets of your career that relate to the award criteria. We believe this can be done for most persons in about 10 or less pages.
- Three letters of reference. (If more than three letters are received, only the first three (3) letters received will be placed in the nomination folder.) Please be sure all letter writers include their address and contact information. All letter writers will be notified if their nominee is chosen as a recipient.
Selection process
- Complete nomination materials are reviewed by the Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee, which provides recommendations to the Engagement & Philanthropy Committee. The Engagement & Philanthropy Committee reviews the recommendations and makes the final selections.
- The Vice Chancellor for University Advancement will notify the recipient(s) of their award(s).
- Recipients are highly encouraged to attend the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony to formally celebrate and recognize this accomplishment!
- Completed nominations are eligible for consideration for two award cycles. After two award cycles, a new nomination must be submitted for the individual to be considered again.
Rada Distinguished Alumni Award
The Rada Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes UWL alumni who graduated within the last 20 years and have demonstrated significant achievement and impact through contributions to their profession and/or communities.
Professor Emeritus Ron Rada and his wife Jane created this award in 2002 to honor recent- to mid-career alumni who are making exceptional contributions to their profession and/or communities.
This award is presented annually at the UWL Distinguished Alumni Awards program. Up to two awards may be given each year.
The award includes a scholarship/fellowship of $2,000 presented to a current student in a department of the recipient's choosing.
Rada Distinguished Alumni Award
2026 Recipient: Sarah Arendt-Beyer, ’07
- Marketing communications manager for Nortek Air Solutions, LLC
- Longtime program instructor for the UWL Small Business Development Center
- Rotarian with 10-plus years of experience with the Rotary Club of La Crosse Downtown.
- Learn more about Sarah | Light Reads
Criteria for the Rada Distinguished Alumni Award
- Achieved distinction in a chosen field since graduation
- Made an outstanding contribution to their profession
- Demonstrated exceptional personal and ethical qualities
- Participated in humanitarian activities that have made a difference in the well-being of others
Solicitation of nominations
- Nominations are accepted year round.
Nominate an Alumni!
Were you nominated?
First off, congratulations! We will notify nominees and ask them to submit the following via our Qualtrics Survey:
- A vita/resume. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee suggests you limit your submission to relevant and important facets of your career that relate to the award criteria. We believe this can be done for most persons in about 10 or less pages.
- Three letters of reference. (If more than three letters are received, only the first three (3) letters received will be placed in the nomination folder.) Please be sure all letter writers include their address and contact information. All letter writers will be notified if their nominee is chosen as a recipient.
Selection Process
- Complete nomination materials are reviewed by the Distinguished Alumni Awards Subcommittee, which provides recommendations to the Engagement & Philanthropy Committee. The Engagement & Philanthropy Committee reviews the recommendations and makes the final selections.
- The Vice Chancellor for University Advancement will notify the recipient(s) of their award(s).
- Recipients are highly encouraged to attend the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony to formally celebrate and recognize this accomplishment!
- Completed nominations are eligible for consideration for two award cycles. After two award cycles, a new nomination must be submitted for the individual to be considered again.