With the new Radboud Alumni Award, the university wants to put an alumnus with special merit into the spotlight. The winner is to become an ambassador of the university.

The annually recurring Radboud Alumni Award is meant to indicate to students what kinds of things you can achieve with a degree, says organiser Nico Ellérie of Marketing & Communication. ‘Furthermore, we want to put an alumnus with an actual impact in the spotlight, show people how proud we are and create interconnectedness among students and alumni.’

Unknown gems

The award is meant for an alumnus who made a special contribution to society and who can be an inspiration to students and other alumni this way. The alumnus does, however, not have to be a famous person. ‘An author of a well-read book or someone who made an impact in another way is eligible for the title.’

‘We hope to find unknown gems’

Students, employees and alumni can still nominate candidates for the first edition until June 23. As of this moment, there are already forty contenders. A jury, consisting of chair of the board Daniël Wigboldus, meteorologist and presenter Margot Ribberink, head of corporate communication Lida Derks, the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies Heleen Murre-van den Berg and chair of the University Student Council Rizka Simons, will make a shortlist.

Lecture tour

Students, employees and alumni can cast their vote online in September. The winner with the most votes will be presented during the Alumni Prom in De Vereeniging on September 30. There is no cash prize attached to the election, but the winner will receive a personal artwork made by Kasper van Moll, an artist based in Nijmegen.

The university wants to use the alumnus of the year as an ambassador. ‘For example via a guest lecture, a Lecture tour interview or by recording a video’, says Ellérie. ‘But all of that of course in consultation with the winner.’