Alumni Awards

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance Alumni Board recognizes SMTD alumni annually through the following four award categories. Alumni and faculty are invited to submit nominations during the summer, and awarding decisions are made during the fall semester. Each winner is invited to campus to be recognized and engage with current students and community members at a special event planned with the corresponding department.

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society, to their professions, and/or to the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. This award was established in 1977 (as the Citation of Merit) and is presented to two honorees annually. Alumni and faculty may submit nominations for this award.

The Christopher Kendall Award recognizes individuals or groups of alumni from any graduation year who have demonstrated collaboration, entrepreneurship, significant community engagement, interdisciplinary studies, and/or patronage to the arts in their professional work. This award is named for Dean Emeritus Christopher Kendall. Alumni and faculty may submit nominations for this award.

The Professional Achievement Awards (formerly known as the Emerging Artist Awards) recognize alumni who have graduated within the past 16–30 years who have made significant contributions to their artistic fields. One winner from each of three categories (music, theatre, and dance) is selected annually. Alumni and faculty may submit nominations for this award.

The Paul Boylan Award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past 15 years who have made significant contributions to their artistic fields. This award was established in 1999 to honor Dean Emeritus Paul Boylan. Only faculty members may submit nominations for this award.