Distinguished Alumna

Persevere faithfully and joyfully in the work you have begun.
St. Angela Merici

About the Award

Each year, the Ursuline Alumnae Association honors an outstanding member at the Homecoming celebration. The Distinguished Alumna, chosen by the Awards Committee of the Association, is an outstanding graduate who best exemplifies the core values and ideals of an Ursuline Education in all aspects of her life.

Development of a Nurturing Community Spirit
Commitment to Faith and Peacemaking
Serviam as a Lived Reality
Courtesy, Loyalty and Courage

Distinguished Alumna Award Recipients

2024-2025

2023-2021

2020-2017

2016-2013

2012-2009

2008-2003

2008

2004

2007

2004

2007

2003

2007

2003

2001-1997

2001

1998

2001

1998

1999

1997

1999

1997

1996-1993

1996

1994

1996

1993

1995

1993

1995

1992-1989

1992

1990

1992

1990

1991

1989

1991

1989

1988-1986

1988

1987

1986

1988

1987

1986

1988

1986

1987

1986

Nominations

Nominations for the 2026 Distinguished Alumna recognition are now open.

The 2025 nomination forms are due by June 30, 2026. The 2026 Distinguished Alumna honoree will be recognized in November during Homecoming weekend. For questions to to check on the status of a previous nomination, please email alumnae@uanola.org.

Nomination Form

Eligibility

Nominee must:

1. Be a graduate of Ursuline Academy or Ursuline College of New Orleans.

2. Exemplify the Ursuline core values and ideals.

3. Have distinguished herself through personal or professional service to her community or Ursuline Academy of New Orleans.

Alumnae Board members, current Ursuline Faculty/Staff, and Sisters of the Order of St. Ursula are ineligible for consideration. Financial contributions to the school shall not be considered a factor in the selection.

Nomination Requirements

To ensure your nomination is complete and eligible for consideration, please note all of the following materials:

Completed Nomination Form

All fields must be filled out thoroughly and accurately.

Cover Letter from the Nominator

A signed letter detailing why the nominee is being recommended.
Must include a statement affirming that all information provided is true and accurate to the best of the nominator’s knowledge.

One Letter of Support

Must be from someone other than the nominator.

Submission Deadline

All materials must be received no later than June 30, 2026.
Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Nomination Form

Required

Your Namerequired

First Name

Last Name

Your Email Addressrequired

Your Phone Numberrequired

Your Mailing Addressrequired

Your Relationship to the Nomineerequired

Your Affiliation with Ursuline Academy (If Any)

Please upload your cover letter here stating reasons that the nominee is qualified. required

Attach up to 1 file with a maximum size of 10MB

No file chosen

Name of Nomineerequired

First Name

Maiden (optional)

Last Name

Nominee Email Addressrequired

Nominee Phone Numberrequired

Nominee Graduation Yearrequired

Please tell us about the ways in which the nominee exemplifies the development of a nurturing community spirit. Examples could include removing debris from the streets or public parks, organizing a community fair or a charity event at a local venue, or rallying people together when a community member is in need of support. required

Please tell us about the ways in which the nominee exemplifies commitment to faith and peacemaking. Examples could include being quick to reconcile with others, demonstrating a strong commitment to her faith, or showing a commitment to nonviolence, peace, and justice. required

Please tell us about the ways in which the nominee exemplifies Serviam as a lived reality. Examples could include care for our most vulnerable, volunteer work in a local shelter, teaching the illiterate to read at the local library, or orchestrating the distribution efforts at a food pantry.required

Please tell us about the ways in which the nominee exemplifies courtesy, loyalty, and courage. Examples could include showing authentic respect for others, sincerely apologizing, being accountable for her actions, demonstrating presence by actively listening to others, staying faithful to commitments and obligations (both personally and professionally), showing respect for others, standing up for her beliefs, or letting go and forgiving.required

Please share any additional information you'd like the Awards Committee to consider regarding your nominee.

How will you be submitting a letter of support (submitted by a different person than yourself)?required

Upload the letter with this form

Email the letter to alumnae@uanola.org and include "Distinguished Alumna Nomination + Name" in the subject line.

Please upload a letter of support here (submitted by a different person than yourself).

Attach up to 1 file with a maximum size of 10MB

No file chosen

Daterequired

Must contain a date in MM/DD/YYYY format

The 2026 nomination forms are due by June 30, 2026. The Awards Committee of the Ursuline Alumnae Association will select a recipient in August of 2026, and the 2026 Distinguished Alumna will be recognized in November during Homecoming weekend. To check on the status of a previous nomination, please email alumnae@uanola.org.