About the Awards

Each year, the UC Alumni Association hosts the UC Alumni Celebration (formerly the Distinguished Alumni Celebration) to recognize and celebrate the many contributions and overall excellence of UC alumni in countless fields of endeavor, throughout the world.

UCAA selects honorees for the William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement, Robert E. Dobbs Distinguished Service Award, Marian A. Spencer Mosaic Award, and Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award.

The William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement is the highest honor the UC Alumni Association bestows, and is dedicated to the memory of William Howard Taft, Law 1880, Hon 1925, twenty-seventh president of the United States and tenth chief justice. Over the award’s 60-year history, Taft Medalists have personified excellence in a broad range of professions, shared a passion for helping others, and proudly expressed appreciation for the role their alma mater played in their success.

The Robert E. Dobbs Distinguished Service Award recognizes a dedicated alumnus who, through their deep commitment and voluntary service, elevate their alma mater and the UC community. The award is in honor and memory of Robert E. Dobbs, Bus ’76, ’88, past president of the UC Alumni Association.

The Marian A. Spencer Mosaic Award honors an alumnus who has demonstrated leadership while enhancing our shared community through cultivating collaboration, fostering inclusiveness, championing the cause of the underrepresented, and promoting greater equity and opportunity for all. This award is in honor and memory of Marian A. Spencer, A&S ’42, Hon ’06, a revered champion of civil rights.

The Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to a UC graduate on the basis of significant professional achievement in his or her field of endeavor, and continued service and involvement with the university and community. This award is in honor and memory of Jeffrey Hurwitz, Bus ’72, ’73, past president of the UC Alumni Association.

Outstanding Alumni Award honorees represent 13 colleges, plus the unique training ground of UC Athletics. They are selected on the basis of their contributions and achievements as alumni.