The Department of Chemical Engineering Alumni Awards honor members of the Carnegie Mellon University ChemE community who make an impact in industry and on the department.

Nominations for the 2026 Chemical Engineering Alumni Awards will be accepted through September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

To submit a nomination, complete the online nomination form. When submitting the form, you will need to attach the supporting documents described in the “Nomination Materials” section below.

Award categories

  • Recent Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award: This award recognizes exceptional professional accomplishments in the recipient’s field. This can include, for example, significant technical contributions, leadership achievements, exceptional innovation or entrepreneurship, or clear societal impact. Eligible nominees must be within 10 years of their graduation from CMU.
  • Alumni Outstanding Service Award: This award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and service to the Chemical Engineering Department. Recipients of this award have made a significant positive impact on the department or its community through generous commitments of their time, talent, and expertise.
  • Distinguished Achievement in Chemical Engineering Award: This prestigious award recognizes alumni or individuals with a close connection to the department who have demonstrated distinguished achievement and enduring impact in chemical engineering or related fields. Recipients are selected for exceptional accomplishments through innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, or technical contributions that advance the discipline.

Nomination materials

Nominations for the 2026 Chemical Engineering Alumni Awards are due by Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Please complete the online form to nominate exceptional alumni or individuals with a close connection to the department. The following supporting materials must be uploaded with the nomination form.

  • A professional summary, such as a resume, CV, or professional bio detailing the professional background and activities of the nominee or nominees. A PDF of the nominee’s LinkedIn profile is acceptable.
  • A one-page nomination letter describing why you believe the nominee should receive the award.
  • A one- to two-page letter of support written by someone other than the nominator. This letter may be submitted on behalf of an individual or group and should provide additional context, insight, or evidence addressing the award criteria.

Selection process

Each year, the recipients of the Chemical Engineering Alumni Awards are selected by the members of the awards review committee. This committee is composed of several members of the ChemE Council, as well as representatives from the Department of Chemical Engineering faculty and staff. Nominations are evaluated against the criteria listed for each award. The committee will finalize reviews and select awardees during the fall, and the awards will be formally announced as part of the Chemical Engineering Spring Carnival Mixer on Friday, April 16, 2027.

FAQs

What if I missed the nomination deadline?

Nominations for next year can be submitted at any time and will be considered for the Department of Chemical Engineering Alumni Awards in the following year.


Do award recipients need to attend the ceremony?

Honorees are expected to attend the ceremony at homecoming to receive their award. If a nominee is unable to attend due to scheduling constraints, their award will be held and presented the following year. Accommodations may be made in circumstances where in-person attendance is not feasible.


Can someone be nominated for more than one award in a single year?

No, please limit nominees to one award per year.


Can a nominee be considered in a future year if not selected?

Yes. Furthermore, nominations are carried forward for two additional award cycles after the initial nomination year if not selected.


How is the ten-year eligibility window defined for the Recent Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award?

The recipient must have graduated less than 10 years before the date of the submission of the nomination. If not selected, the candidate will still be considered for two additional award cycles past the initial nomination year.


For the Alumni Outstanding Service Award, does service need to be sustained over many years or can a single major effort qualify?

This award is focused on impact on the department, and not on the time span of service alone.


Are financial contributions considered as part of the evaluation?

Financial contributions are not considered for these awards.


Are additional letters of support allowed?

Please limit the nomination materials to a single nomination letter and a single letter of support. The letter of support may be submitted on behalf of an individual or a group.


Can I nominate a group of individuals instead of a single individual?

Yes, you can nominate a group of individuals for collective efforts or achievements. The nomination criteria remain the same, and the eligibility requirements apply to all members of the group.


Are there any exceptions to these criteria?

Requests for reasonable exceptions can be made, but they must be reviewed and approved by the awards review committee prior to nomination.