The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes one alumni or friend who has exceptional professional achievements, philanthropic efforts, and service to the University of North Alabama.

Recipients must have strong evidence of the following:

• Exhibit a lifelong commitment to excellence and service in their professional and/or philanthropic endeavors.
  
• Demonstrate a lifetime of significant leadership and/or scholarly productivity within a professional or philanthropic field.
• Show enduring support for UNA through financial contributions or active engagement.

This award will be given to one alumni who has utilized their degree and made great inroads and successes in the profession. The Alumni of the Year has also made contributions to UNA.

Recipients must:

• Demonstrate exceptional involvement and service in their professional or philanthropic sphere.
• Exhibit significant leadership and/or scholarly achievements within their field.
• Have made contributions to UNA monetarily and/or through service.
• Have graduated from UNA more than ten years ago.
  • If an applicant has multiple class years due to multiple degrees, the first class year will be used to calculate the qualification

This award will be given to one UNA alumni who has been employed as full-time staff member by UNA for at least five years and has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Recipients must:

• Have strong participation in areas outside of their professional duties that benefit UNA.
• Have made significant contributions to the advancement of UNA through or outside of their current position.
• Have worked at UNA for five consecutive years.

This award will be given to one UNA alumni who has been employed as a full-time faculty member by UNA for at least five years and has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Recipients must:

• Have strong participation in areas outside of their professional duties that benefit UNA.
• Provide exemplary service to students through advising, volunteerism, and academic instruction.
• Have worked at UNA for five consecutive years.

This award acknowledges our lion family members who have not graduated from the university but have given time, talent, and/or resources for the benefit of UNA. This award can also be presented to corporate partners who have made an impact for the benefit of UNA.

Recipients must:

• Show a consistent commitment of time through active participation and involvement in UNA-related activities, events, or initiatives.
• Demonstrate the contribution of talent, utilizing their skills, expertise, or unique abilities to enhance and support the university community.
• Show dedication to advancing UNA by providing resources, whether through financial contributions, fundraising efforts, or other means that contribute to the university’s growth and success.

This award will be given to one alumni who serves/served our country through the military. 

Recipients must:

• Be a former member of the UNA ROTC Lion Battalion or a current or past member of any branch of the Armed Forces.
• Have over 6 years total active duty time.

This award will be given to one alumni who has contributed greatly to society within the realm of local, state, federal government, and/or nonprofit organizations.

Recipients must:

• Demonstrate commitment to improving the lives of others.
• Achieve notable accomplishments within their field.

NOTE: The recipient may be an elected official, but selection is not limited therein. Selection will be based on performance not on political affiliation.

The Young Alumni Award celebrates a recent graduate who has demonstrated exceptional achievement and personal growth within a decade of graduation.

Recipients must have strong evidence of the following:

• Exhibit outstanding achievement within a professional or philanthropic field.
• Personal growth in professional career, civic service, and/or cultural service in ways that positively reflect on UNA.