NAU Alumni Association Alumni Awards Criteria and Descriptions
NAUAA Dwight Patterson (1934) Alumnus/Alumni of the Year:
Dwight was president of the Alumni Association in 1946. He won both the Alumni Service Award and the Distinguished Citizen Award. He was responsible for bringing major league baseball to the state and was chosen to toss out the first ball at BOB to initiate big league baseball in Arizona when the Diamondbacks played their very first game. He was also called "Mr. Mesa," because he was the driving force for Mesa clean government. He was a landowner and financial investor. He was a giant in education, serving on the Board of Regents, State Board of Public Instruction and Community College Board. Dwight was also a great football player for NAU, inducted into the NAU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987. He died in 1999.
Award Description: This award is presented to an alumna or alumnus who has achieved outstanding success in his or her professional career. Service to NAU or the Alumni Association is not a requirement. Preference is given to those who have earned degrees from NAU.
NAUAA Dr. Cliff Harkins (1932) Distinguished Citizen of the Year:
Cliff was president of the Alumni Association in 1938. He was State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of Arizona, as well as the Superintendent of Madison District in Phoenix during his 50-year career in education. He pioneered education advancement for the state of Arizona and won the Distinguished Citizen Award. Cliff died in 1992.
Award Description: This award recognizes distinguished service to nonprofit organizations; governmental assignments at the municipal, county, state or federal level; or other outstanding service as a citizen.
NAUAA Jeff Ferris (1936) Volunteer of the Year:
Jeff is a past president of the Alumni Association, serving in 1977. He also was one of the original artists for the Lumberjack logo used by the University today. While in school, Jeff participated in AZ Playmakers, Pi Kappa Epsilon and was a PINE editor. He received the Alumni Service Award and worked for the State of Arizona Tax commission. Jeff died in 1999.
Award Description: This award is presented to an alumna or alumnus who has demonstrated sustained interest and loyalty to the NAU Alumni Association and/or the University as a whole. Individuals who have shown initiative in serving NAU receive extra consideration. The nominee need not be a graduate, although he or she must have attended NAU.
NAUAA Joe and Marie Rolle (1941/1950) Spirit of NAU Award:
Joe was a member of Chain Gang, played basketball, and was both student body president and homecoming king. He is a member of the NAUAA Past President's Club and, together with wife Marie, received the Distinguished Alumni Couple Award in 1998. Joe was administrator for ASC/NAU for 36 years, with his last post as Dean of Student Services. Marie managed the Northern Arizona University bookstore and worked in career placement. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where she and Joe met, and a longtime booster of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. Supporters of alumni scholarships and athletics, the Rolle family established the Joseph and Marie Rolle Award for Excellence. Joe passed away in February 2011.
Award Description: This award recognizes an alumna or alumnus who radiates the spirit of NAU. They should consistently show their support to the university, whether by attending all athletic events or staying involved with legislative matters or other efforts. This person's devotion to the university should be prominent and ongoing throughout his or her life.
Excellence in Achievement by a Recent Graduate Award:
The NAU Alumni Association created this award in 2013 to recognize those who have demonstrated accomplishments of significant importance at an early state in his/her career. Examples of award worthy accomplishments are achievements in their respective vocational field that brings distinction to the individual, recognition to Northern Arizona University, innovations to industry, or benefits to communities.
Award Description: This award recognizes a young alumnus/alumna who has achieved outstanding success in their professional career in a relatively short amount of time. Service to NAU or the NAU Alumni Association is not a requirement. Nominees must have graduated within the last 10 years. Alumni of both graduate and undergraduate degrees are eligible for this award.
NAU Alumni Association Alumni Awards Nomination Form
Nomination Deadline is May 31, 2013
Nominee’s First Name:
Nominee’s Middle Initial:
Nominee’s Last Name:
Nominee’s Maiden Name (or other name if applicable):
Nominee’sPhone:
Nominee’sEmail:
Nominee’sGraduation Year(s):
Nominated For (please use one nomination form per award):
__ Dwight Patterson Alumna/Alumnus of the Year Award
__ Dr. Cliff Harkins Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award
__ Jeff Ferris Volunteer of the Year Award
__ Joe and Marie Rolle Spirit of NAU Award
__ Excellence in Achievement by a Recent Graduate Award
Nominee’sAward Qualifications: (150 words minimum.Anything under 150 words will not be considered)
Please include: examples of leadership excellence, community involvement, career accomplishments, and philanthropic support. Review criteria for each NAUAA Award.
Submitted by:
Nominator’s Phone:
Nominator’s Email:
Please return completed Nomination Form via email to