A snowy evening on the University of Montana Campus with the Grizzly Bear Statue in the foreground and the Oval and Main Hall in the background.

Alumni

Decorative header with text that reads "Grizzly of the Last Decade"

CRITERIA

The University of Montana Alumni Association honors outstanding alumni who have graduated within the last decade with the Grizzly of the Last Decade Award. Recipients can be self-nominated or nominated by fellow alumni, faculty, staff and professional colleagues. 

The Office of Alumni Relations and Alumni Association strongly encourage nominations that reflect the diversity of our alumni.

Recipients of this award are reviewed based on the following criteria:

  • Must be a graduate of the University of Montana or Missoula College (certificate, associate’s degree, undergraduate or graduate degree).
  • Must have graduated within the last 10 years (as of Dec. 31 of the year nominated).
  • Excelled early in their career and shows potential for continued success.
  • Received recognition as an emerging leader through professional and/or community achievements.
  • Attained positions with increasing responsibility within their organization, business or field of work.
  • Received recognition for significant professional contributions, discoveries or creative work through honors, awards and/or media attention.
  • Serves as an outstanding role model for current and future UM students.

Awards may not be given to people if:

  • They are executive officers of the University of Montana or staff of the Office of Alumni Relations.
  • They are current members of the UMAA Board of Directors.
  • They, by other position of potential conflict of interest, are determined by the Recognition Committee to be ineligible for this award.

PROCEDURE

  1. To nominate (or self-nominate), complete the online form or submit a letter with documentation noting the year of graduation that will be verified by UMAA. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 31, 2025.
  2. Additional documentation may include up to three letters of recommendation and/or news/media articles.
  3. Applicants must agree that, if selected for the Grizzly of the Last Decade Award, they will provide a professional photograph that UMAA may include in its publications and promotions.
  4. The Recognition Committee of the UMAA Board of Directors will review the nominees and will select individuals for the Grizzly of the Last Decade Award on an annual basis. The committee will provide its slate of recommended award recipients to the entire UMAA Board of Directors for approval.
  5. The committee and/or the board may choose not to award any nominees in any given year.
  6. If a nominee is not selected in his/her first year, the materials will be held for a second year for consideration. After the second year, the nomination will no longer be valid.

RECOGNITION

  1. A letter will be sent to each recipient congratulating them on the award. 
  2. Recipients’ names and photos will be posted on the UMAA website, provided to their respective UM college dean and featured in publications from UMAA.

NOMINATION

Apply for or nominate a Grizzly of the Last Decade, by 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2025.

For questions, contact Jodi Moreau by calling 877 UM ALUMS or emailing jodi.moreau@umontana.edu.