Shining Knights Alumni Awards

The Shining Knights Alumni Awards honor our university’s most keen supporters. We present up to five distinct awards annually during UCF Homecoming Week at an intimate reception and awards program.

What are the Shining Knights Alumni Awards?

The five awards are:

UCF Distinguished Alumni Award
John C. and Martha Hitt Honorary Alumni Award
Young Alumni Award
Distinguished Student Award
Michelle Akers Award

Award Eligibility

Distinguished Alumni Award

Distinguished Alumni Award recipients have demonstrated professional achievement, outstanding service and philanthropy, devotion and loyalty to the university and have maintained the UCF Creed of integrity, scholarship, community, creativity and excellence. This award is the highest honor UCF Alumni bestows on a graduate of the university.

This award can be presented to as many as two honorees annually.

John C. and Martha Hitt Honorary Alumni Award

John C. and Martha Hitt Honorary Alumni Award recipients have demonstrated outstanding service and philanthropy, devotion and loyalty to the university and have maintained the UCF Creed of integrity, scholarship, community, creativity and excellence. This award is the highest honor UCF Alumni bestows on a friend and supporter of the university.

This award can be presented to as many as five honorees annually.

Young Alumni Award

Young Alumni Award recipients have demonstrated a lifelong devotion and loyalty to UCF, a commitment to service and philanthropy and have maintained the UCF Creed of integrity, scholarship, community, creativity and excellence. This award is the highest honor granted to a graduate from the most recent class of 30 Under 30 Alumni Awards recipients.

Nominees for the Young Alumni Award are selected from the year’s 30 Under 30 honorees.

Distinguished Student Award

Distinguished Student Award recipient is a student who is dedicated to maintaining a lifelong relationship with UCF, demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, inspires leadership within their co-curricular activities and positively impacts the UCF community.

This award is presented to a student who meets the following criteria:

Must have a minimum of 90 credit hours at the conclusion of the Spring 2025 semester
Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
Must have a nomination submitted on their behalf. No self-nominations accepted
Nominees must be enrolled for the Fall 2025 semester

Michelle Akers Award

The Michelle Akers Award is given to a UCF alumnus or alumna who has brought international acclaim to UCF through his or her accomplishments.

This award may be awarded annually as deemed appropriate. Nominations for the Michelle Akers Award will be considered by members of the UCF Alumni Board’s Engagement Committee and selected at their discretion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to be recognized at the Shining Knights Alumni Awards?

To be eligible, the nominee must demonstrate the qualities and characteristics of each distinct award. They will be nominated by members of the UCF leadership and UCF Advancement and Partnerships staff. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Please see the specific eligibility requirements for each award. Current university employees are not eligible for nomination.

If you are considering nominating a couple made up of an alumni and a non-alumni spouse, please nominate the alumni only for the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Non-degree alumni can be nominated but are only eligible for the John C. and Martha Hitt Honorary Alumni Award.

Who is eligible to nominate a Shining Knight Award Recipient?

University leadership and UCF Advancement and Partnerships staff.

Who will choose the winners?

The UCF Alumni Board and UCF Advancement and Partnerships staff will review applications and select the honorees.

When are nominations due?

Nomination applications are due by Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

When will award winners be selected?

Winners be selected and all nominees notified by June 1, 2025.

How will award winners be recognized?

Shining Knights Alumni Award honorees will be recognized at a reception and awards program including university leadership, past award recipients, community leaders and family and friends.

Where do I send a nomination or ask questions?

For more information or to submit a nomination, please contact us via e-mail at awards@ucfalumni.com.