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About the Alumni Awards Program

In 1961, the University empowered the Alumni Association to officially recognize the men and women who bring distinction to ¾«¶«AV. The Alumni Medal recognizes an individual’s accomplishments in their profession, contributions to their community and dedicated service to ¾«¶«AV post-graduation. This award also affirms the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others, a principle reinforced in the mission of ¾«¶«AV. The first recipients of the were William J. Corrigan 1911 and Dr. Edmund A. Smolik ’32.

Throughout the years, the ¾«¶«AV Alumni Association has added other awards to celebrate the many significant accomplishments and contributions of its members. The recognizes heroism, bravery, or sacrifice on the part of a member of the ¾«¶«AV community. The recognizes outstanding leadership and service of a recent ¾«¶«AV graduate. recognizes outstanding volunteers in service to the JCU Alumni Association. The is presented annually to a class columnist for dedication to his/her classmates in writing the column for the Alumni Journal in ¾«¶«AVÌý³¾²¹²µ²¹³ú¾±²Ô±ð.

These awards are traditionally presented to the awardees at the Alumni Association’s showcase event, the Annual Alumni Awards Dinner, hosted the Friday of JCU's Spring Commencement Weekend.

Award Descriptions

Alumni Medal

The highest award given annually by ¾«¶«AV’s Alumni Association, the Alumni Medal recognizes an individual’s accomplishments in their profession, contributions to their community and dedicated service to ¾«¶«AV post-graduation. This award also affirms the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others, a principle reinforced in the mission of ¾«¶«AV. The Alumni Medal is not given posthumously.

Campion Shield

The Campion Shield recognizes heroism, bravery, or sacrifice on the part of a member of the ¾«¶«AV community. Sponsored and funded by the Saint Edmund Campion Society of ¾«¶«AV, the Campion Shield recognizes an individual’s physical or moral action(s) in the face of adversity on behalf of others and emulates the life of Saint Edmund Campion of the Society of Jesus. The Campion Shield also affirms the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others, a principle reinforced in the mission of ¾«¶«AV.

The Rev. William M. Bichl, S.J. Alumni Volunteer Service Award

The Alumni Volunteer Service Award, created in 1993 and renamed in 2016 after Bill Bichl, S.J., recognizes outstanding volunteers who have distinguished themselves through their dedication, motivation, attitude, and generosity to the University and Alumni Association in sharing their time and talents. This award is given by the Division of University Advancement and the Office of Alumni Relations and voted on by the Alumni Association Board. The Alumni Volunteer Service Award is not given posthumously.

Reverend Casey Bukala, S.J. Distinguished Achievement Award

This award honors the late Casey Bukala, S.J. ’54, ’55G, who spent more than six decades serving the JCU community as a professor of Philosophy, chaplain of athletic and student programs, and member of the Alumni Association Board. The award recognizes alumni for exceptional teaching, service, and contributions to the ¾«¶«AV community as a member of the JCU faculty or staff.

Young Alumni Award

This award recognizes outstanding leadership and service of a ¾«¶«AV undergraduate alumnus/a who is 40 years old or younger (as of December 31 of the year nominated). Standards for recognition include demonstrated leadership capability, career excellence, and commitment to the service of others. The Young Alumni Award is not given posthumously.

The Gerald J. Schweickert Outstanding Achievement Award in Athletics

The Gerald J. Schweickert Outstanding Achievement Award in Athletics is named in for a man whose achievements as a player and student at ¾«¶«AV have only exceeded by his achievements as coach and educator of the University. The award recognizes a ¾«¶«AV graduate who has brought honor to his or her school through a significant lifetime achievement within the field of athletics outside of the Blue Streak varsity athletic program.

Silver Quill

The Silver Quill Award is presented annually to a class columnist for dedication to his/her classmates in writing the column for the Alumni Journal in ¾«¶«AVÌý³¾²¹²µ²¹³ú¾±²Ô±ð.