Distinguished Alumni Service Award (DASA)

Countless Michigan alumni give back to the University every year. It is not that alumni service is unique to Michigan alumni, but the quality and depth of their service can truly be impressive. Further, alumni support is one of the resources on which we depend to ensure our University remains a world leader in higher education.

To honor the most outstanding of these gifts of service, the Alumni Association annually presents Distinguished Alumni Service Awards. Established in 1947 by S. Spencer Scott, ’14, the awards aim to annually highlight and celebrate unselfish service and support to the University and/or Alumni Association.

The Distinguished Alumni Service Award is the highest honor the Alumni Association can bestow upon an alumna/us on behalf of the University. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, March 24, and nomination forms are available online.

A five-member committee, led by the chairman of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, selects recipients for the Distinguished Alumni Service Awards. This award recognizes outstanding service to the University of Michigan.  The committee will judge nominations based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• Level of commitment - Giving back is not unusual among Michigan alumni, but sometimes their service can astound us. The committee will evaluate the level of dedication to the University, the depth of involvement, and the amount of time committed by the volunteer. Service of all types is considered, whether it is spending time with students at a school or college, providing leadership for issues relevant to the AAUM or University, or serving the University in unique capacity
• Actions taken in support of the Alumni Association or the University - The committee will look for service that helps preserve, maintain and promote the traditions of the University
• Impact - Volunteers’ service also will be evaluated based on its impact on the University and/or the Alumni Association.

• Only U-M alumni can be nominated for the award.
• The award is not intended to solely celebrate famous alumni, nor to recognize a distinguished professional career
• DASA cannot be given posthumously
• DASA cannot be given to an individual who is a current member of the board of regents or who is currently an officer, faculty member or employee of the University of Michigan or Alumni Association.

• To recommend an individual(s), complete a nomination form by Monday, March 24, and return it to Carrie Fediuk at cfediuk@umich.edu or intercampus mail at 200 Fletcher St., Campus ZIP 1007.
• Nominations will be considered by a selection committee chaired by AAUM Board of Directors Chairman Dean Rennell, ’75, MBA’80. The committee will evaluate the breadth and depth of each candidate’s service.
• No fewer than three and no more than nine alumni shall be chosen by the committee to be honored during each calendar year.

The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is proud to announce the winners of the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Service Award, honored on October 11 at the Michigan League:

David A. Brandon, ‘74

Robert M. Brown, ‘63

Marshall E. Purnell, ’72, MARCH’73

Emily Hopp Salvette, ’77, MA’93

Lois C. Schwartz, ‘57

John W. Sweetland, ’58, MA’59