UHH Group Accepting Nominations For Distinguished Alumni Awards

The University of Hawaii at Hilo Alumni and Friends Association is accepting nominations for its distinguished alumni and distinguished service awards.

Each year the association grants a Distinguished Alumni Award to one or more individuals based on the nominee’s professional accomplishments and service to the community or university. Nominees should have completed at least half of his or her educational program at UHH.

The Distinguished Service Award is given to those whose contributions to UHH have benefited the university in numerous and significant ways.

“UH Hilo benefits from strong community support, and the community benefits from a strong UH Hilo alumni base working hard to make our island and state a better place,” Chancellor Don Straney said in a statement. “These distinguished awards provide an opportunity for us to celebrate members of our extended ‘ohana who show extraordinary commitment to our students, the university, the island community and beyond.”

The awards will be presented at a banquet scheduled for Feb. 22, 2013.

Honorees in recent years include Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra, architect Russell Oda, Mitchell Dodo of Dodo Mortuary and educator Lehua Veincent.

For information or a nomination form call 974-7643 or visit www.uhh.hawaii.edu/alumni/.