The USC Volunteer Recognition Dinner honors alumni and staff who give their time, expertise, and energy in service to the university. Each year, recipients are selected across four award categories recognizing different dimensions of volunteer excellence.
We hope you’ll join us on Friday, August 28, for an evening celebrating the Trojans whose dedication and service make the Trojan Family stronger! Stay tuned — honorees will be announced in July.
2026 Award Nominations
Do you know a volunteer who goes above and beyond for our Trojan Family? Make sure their hard work is recognized by nominating them for one of this year’s awards!
Awards are presented in the following four categories (learn more about award criteria below):
- USC Alumni Association President’s Award
- Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award
- Volunteer Organization of the Year Award
- Volunteer Liaison of the Year Award
Nominations must be submitted by Wednesday, May 27 to be considered.
USC Alumni Association President’s Award
The President’s Award is USC’s highest honor for volunteer service, and recognizes those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication to the university and lasting impact on the Trojan Family.
The President’s Award recognizes the outstanding leadership contributions of a volunteer over the course of several years, which may include fulfillment of a formal leadership position and/or achievements in informal activities. Other factors considered are the volunteer’s overall record of service, loyalty, dedication, and contribution to the Trojan Family. Typically, up to five President’s Awards are presented each year.
An individual (or couple) may only receive a President’s Award or Widney Award once. Recipients of the President’s Award are not eligible later for the Widney Award, but recipients of the Widney Award may subsequently receive the President’s Award.
Self nominations will not be accepted.
Widney Alumni House Volunteer Awards
The Widney Alumni House Volunteer Awards celebrate volunteers for their outstanding impact on the Trojan Family through service to USC colleges, schools or departments, recognized alumni organizations, or Trojan multicultural and affinity groups
These awards recognize the outstanding contributions of volunteers through service to the Trojan Family. Important factors include a record of sustained volunteer service to a school or department at USC and relevant achievements during this service. Multiple Widney Award honorees are selected each year.
Volunteers associated with any USC academic or administrative department, recognized alumni or alumnae organizations, or multicultural and other affinity groups, are eligible for the Widney Alumni House Award.
Self nominations will not be accepted.
Volunteer Organization of the Year Award
This award, the only one presented to a volunteer organization, recognizes a group’s exceptional contributions to the Trojan Family and the advancement of the university’s mission.
This is the only award given to a USC volunteer organization in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Trojan Family and the advancement of USC. Important achievements considered are organization formation, membership growth, retention and involvement, overall development, quality and creativity of programming, communications, successful fundraising initiatives, and leadership. The honoree organization demonstrably supports the overall mission of USC. One or two Alumni Volunteer Organization Awards may be presented each year.
Any volunteer organization recognized by the University or one of its departments is eligible for the USC Volunteer Organization of the Year Award.
Volunteer Liaison of the Year Award
The Volunteer Liaison of the Year Award is presented to a USC staff member for their effective, efficient and creative support for the university’s volunteers.
This award is presented to a USC staff member for his or her work with USC volunteers and recognizes outstanding contributions to the development and implementation of USC volunteer programs. The award encourages the effective, efficient, and creative use of the University’s volunteer base by university staff.
Eligibility criteria may include volunteer recruitment, training and recognition, leadership development, communications, marketing, and programming. The satisfaction of volunteers impacted by the nominee is also considered. One or two Volunteer Liaison of the Year Awards may be presented each year.
Self nominations will not be accepted.
Past Honorees
Congratulations to our previous alumni award and volunteer recognition award recipients!
(Alumni Awards and Volunteer Recognition Awards)
USC Alumni Association Premier Partners
