The MTSU National Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2017-18 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

The awards, which include an overall Distinguished Alumni recipient and Young Alumni Achievement honoree, recognize those with prolonged records of achievement who have made outstanding contributions to society and who exemplify the ideals for which MTSU stands in extraordinary ways.

Distinguished Alumni Award 2016-17 recipients include, from left, Dan Pfeifer, True Blue Citation of Distinction Achievement in Education; Helen Campbell, True Blue Citation of Distinction Achievement in Education; Cynthia Chappell, David Cullum Award for Service to the University; Bobbie Jo Meredith, Young Alumni Achievement Award; Jeff Creek, Distinguished Alumnus; and Libby Green, Service to the Community Award. The MTSU National Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2017-18 Distinguished Alumni Awards. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

This year marks the fourth year for the expanded awards, which include True Blue Citations of Distinction.

National Alumni Association President Don Witherspoon said the association is pleased to recognize Distinguished Alumni for their contributions, which reflect honor not only on the recipients and their families, but the university as well.

“Our True Blue community, which continues to grow throughout the world with each graduating class, is proud of our heritage,” Witherspoon added. “These Distinguished Alumni have added to the prestige of our great university by their contributions in respective areas. We applaud their efforts as we recognize their accomplishments.”

People are encouraged to nominate someone for an award. The entire process is done online at www.mtalumni.com/awards. Nominations for all awards are due on or before Friday, March 31.

Recipients selected in late summer will have a celebration in their honor during Homecoming Week this fall, as well as be recognized at the Homecoming Parade and football game.

The dates for Homecoming Week and the Homecoming Game have yet to be determined.

The True Blue Citations of Distinction will include awards for the following categories:

• Achievement in Education — MTSU Faculty.

• Achievement in Education — Non-MTSU Faculty.

• Service to Community.

• The David Cullum Award for Service to the University, named in memory of the former president of the National Alumni Association, Blue Raider Athletic Association and MTSU Foundation, who died May 2, 2013. He was a member of the Class of ’55.

Anyone with questions about process can contact the Office of Alumni Relations by calling 615-898-2922 or 800-533-6878, or email Michelle Stepp, Alumni Relations associate director, at Michelle.Stepp@mtsu.edu.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)