Alumnus/a of the Year
The Alumnus/a of the Year award is presented to that alumnus or alumna who previously has received the Medal of Merit or Distinguished Service Award and who either has distinguished him/herself professionally or shown notable service and support to Ohio University.
Medal of Merit Award
The Medal of Merit is awarded to alumni who have achieved distinction in their chosen fields. The Medal of Merit was formerly titled the Certificate of Merit. In 1979, the Alumni Association Board of Directors officially renamed the award, and all past Certificate of Merit recipients are listed equally as holders of the Medal of Merit.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award was established by the Alumni Association in 1982 to recognize exceptional service on behalf of alumni chapters, clubs, constituent societies and, in special instances, Ohio University and its colleges and schools. The award is sponsored by the Alumni Association and is presented by groups that nominate, or have as members, successful candidates.
Charles J. and Claire O. Ping Recent Graduate Award
In 1990, the Alumni Association Board of Directors established the Recent Graduate Award. This award honors recent graduates who have retained an active interest in Ohio University and whose achievements acknowledge the impact of their educational experience.
In 1994, the award was renamed to honor President Emeritus Charles J. Ping, HON ’94, and First Lady Claire O. Ping, HON ’94, for their years of service to Ohio University. The 18th president of Ohio University, Charles Ping served from 1975 to 1994.
Honorary Alumnus/a
Non-alumni who have rendered valuable service to Ohio University or to the Alumni Association can be elected to honorary membership. These Honorary Alumni Awards are presented to those individuals whose efforts have positively impacted students, faculty, staff, and community.
Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees History
The Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame, which was established in 1965 and currently includes 230 members. Each year, a committee comprising former student-athletes, Hall of Fame members, and staff meet to review former student-athletes, coaches/administrators, and staff members who have been nominated. Current Hall of Fame members, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, and/or Ohio Athletics staff can make nominations. Guidelines allow the committee to annually induct up to four new members from the “Contemporary Era” and one from our “Heritage Era.”
Periodically, the Ohio Athletics Department will recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement and support of Ohio University Intercollegiate Athletics. Additionally, this recipient will be recognized for their accomplishments in the athletics/sports industry as well as in their personal and/or professional life. These individuals will be given the distinction of the “Glenn C. Randall Lifetime Achievement Award," which is named after its first recipient. The Hall of Fame is currently housed in the main lobby of the Convocation Center and is open to the public during normal business hours.