AIKCU Alumni Hall of Fame

The Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities has created the AIKCU Alumni Hall of Fame to celebrate the distinguished alumni of its 18 member institutions.

 

AIKCU will announce the inaugural class on Oct. 1, 2024, and each subsequent class annually on Oct. 1.

 

From the earliest days of the commonwealth, Kentucky established independent institutions of higher learning based on the tradition of the liberal arts. That rich history is alive today, as AIKCU member colleges and universities prepare students to contribute to their communities and the world.

 

For nearly 250 years, alumni from these institutions have excelled in their chosen fields, bringing passion, intellect, and influence to their work as teachers, ministers, doctors, lawyers, business leaders, elected officials, and more.

 

(Mason, what to add to this list of professions? Outtakes from TIACU: “… helped shape some of our nation’s most distinguished and impressive citizens - from Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners to faith leaders, entrepreneurs, and elected officials. The honorees exemplify the value of the liberal arts education and how it can be used in a variety of career fields.”)

 

The AIKCU Hall of Fame will spotlight these distinguished citizens who have embraced the liberal arts and enriched society across a wide spectrum of professions.

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Policies & Procedures

 

Selection Criteria
Each member institution may select one alumnus/alumna each year who:

 

• Has earned any academic or professional degree from your institution (excluding honorary degrees.

• Possesses the utmost character and integrity and exemplifies the values and mission of your institution.

• Has made a significant contribution to humanity through service, work, leadership, or other achievement. This honor may consider the challenges or barriers a nominee has faced on the path to success.

 

And, importantly, this honor should not be based solely on the prestige of the position or office held, but on the actual quality and results of the nominee’s work in his or her professional endeavors. (Mason, this seems to be an important point, if you agree).

 

(Outtakes from UK College of Law: This honor is not given so much in recognition of an office or position held, but rather for the actual merit of the individual's work in his or her chosen field of endeavor and professional leadership. The highest level of accomplishment in one’s chosen field varies by discipline, and challenges or barriers faced or overcome in one’s journey are considered part of what distinguishes them.)

 

• May or may not have already been recognized by your institution for their life and work.

• May be living or deceased and considered regardless of race, gender, or religion.

 

Induction

The induction process is as follows:

 

• Inductees will be notified by Sept. 15? of their nomination (how? by letter and/or call from the nominating president or AIKCU president?)

• Inductees will be asked to provide AIKCU with a bio of no more than 500 words, a headshot, and a quote reflecting their????

• AIKCU will share the inductee’s bio, headshot, and quote with the nominating institution to recognize their inductee as they wish.

• AIKCU will announce the inductees publicly on Oct. 1 on the AIKCU website, in a news release and on social media.

• AIKCU will provide a physical memento for your institution to present to your inductee.

 

Contact

For more information contact Mason Dyer, AIKCU president, at mason.dyer@aikcu.org.