Stanford Alumni Association

The Stanford Associates Board of Governors is seeking nominations for the 2026-27 Awards of Merit and Governors’ Awards, which recognize the vital role that alumni volunteers play at Stanford. To nominate alumni volunteers for an award, complete the nomination form by Sunday, Aug. 16.

The Stanford alum will lead one of higher education’s largest and most influential alumni organizations following the retirement of Howard Wolf.

Stanford Associates offers grants of up to $10,000 annually to fund projects that engage alumni as volunteers and participants. These one-time or seed grants are available to all Stanford departments. Submit your proposal by Sunday, Aug. 16.

The award recognizes alumni who use their education and experience to address society’s most urgent challenges and positively impact communities. This year's recipients are Jacqueline Novogratz and Paul R. Williams.

Among this year’s honorees are graduating seniors Ava Brown, recipient of the J.E. Wallace Sterling Award, and Georgia Walker-Keleher, recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Ruth Porat and Ron Spogli are this year’s recipients of the Gold Spike Award in honor of their long-standing volunteer service to the university.

The history professor is this year’s recipient of the Richard W. Lyman Award in honor of her work with alumni, including leading classes at Sierra Camp and Reunion Homecoming.

The Stanford Alumni Association invites faculty and staff to nominate outstanding seniors and graduate students for the 2026 J.E. Wallace Sterling Award, Award of Excellence, and Graduate Student Community Impact Award. Nominations are due Feb. 17.

Wolf spent 25 years leading SAA, the university’s alumni organization, which now serves more than 240,000 alumni worldwide.

The 2025 honorees were recognized for exceptional achievement, scholarship, and service to their communities.