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The KU Alumni Association proudly recognizes those who make special efforts for the University and the Association with awards, including the Fred Ellsworth Medallion.
Fred Ellsworth, c’22, led the Association staff as executive secretary from 1924 to 1963. Since 1975 the Fred Ellsworth Medallion honors individuals “who have provided unique and significant service to the University.”
Fred Ellsworth, c’22, led the Association staff as executive secretary from 1924 to 1963. Since 1975 the Fred Ellsworth Medallion honors individuals “who have provided unique and significant service to the University.”
Fred Ellsworth Medallion recipients are honored by the Association at a special dinner in conjunction with the fall Board of Directors meeting and introduced during the home football game that weekend.
Recipients of the medallion have been honored for their leadership in Kansas higher education, as chairs and members of University boards and committees, as consultants for special KU projects, and as donors to the University. If someone you know has continually shared time, talents and resources to benefit KU, submission for this award open in spring 2025.
Three Homecoming awards recognize outstanding students and alumni each year.
The Ex.C.E.L. Award recognizes two students with outstanding leadership, involvement and academics. The Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award recognizes a student who demonstrate outstanding loyalty and dedication. Finally, the Spirit of 1912 Homecoming Award honors KU graduates for their lifelong commitment to the University.
The Mildred Clodfelter Alumni Award was created in 1987 to thank alumni and friends for “sustained volunteer service to the University at the local level.” The award honors Mildred Clodfelter, b’41, who worked for the University of Kansas for 47 years, including 42 at the Alumni Association.
Winners of the “Millie” award have served as local alumni network leaders, Kansas Honors Program coordinators or student recruitment volunteers.
This annual award recognizes network volunteers who demonstrate extraordinary leadership to their network and the KU Alumni Association during a one-year period.
Dick Wintermote, c’51, served as the executive director of the Association from 1963 to 1983. His legacy represents the importance of building a strong volunteer network and establishing the KU Alumni Association as one of the premier associations of graduates in the country.
From 1941 to 2010, the Association also awarded the Distinguished Service Citation, which recognized outstanding achievements “for the betterment of society and in behalf of humanity.”
In 2011, as a result of decisions by the Kansas Board of Regents and the University to confer honorary KU degrees, the Association’s national Board of Directors voted to retire the DSC and endorse the honorary degree program. The Association remains proud of its tradition of honoring nearly 400 alumni and friends who have served humanity.
We build lifelong relationships that strengthen the University of Kansas and the legacy of excellence embodied by its students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
Jayhawk Welcome Center at Adams Alumni Center
1266 Oread Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045
kualumni@kualumni.org | 800.584.2957
Your membership in the KU Alumni Association is the single most powerful way to make all of KU stronger, including the value of your own degree. Through your membership, the Association:
