Alumni Association Awards

The Alumni Association Awards program began in 1967 with a single award, the Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award. Since then the program has expanded to seven awards. Each year, the USCGA Alumni Association recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to the Association, the Academy, the Coast Guard and the Nation. The honorees are officially recognized at a ceremony on the Thursday evening of Homecoming weekend.

These awards are made possible through the generosity of CAPT Karl Zittel '32, who established an endowment to ensure the continuity of this program.


Distinguished Alumnus

To honor those alumni who have distinguished themselves and brought exceptionally great honor to the Academy through their outstanding accomplishments and achievements in either military or civilian life; and who serve as outstanding examples of the type of character, courage, leadership, and well-rounded people the Academy seeks to attract.

Distinguished Faculty

To honor and express the Associations gratitude to those senior USCGA faculty members who extraordinarily inspire their students and fill their minds with knowledge and excitement, and who have exemplified the art of teaching.

Distinguished Philanthropist

To honor those whose generosity has provided a truly significant benefit to the Academy and the Corps of Cadets of the Coast Guard Academy.

Distinguished Service

To honor those individuals whose personal efforts, support, dedication, commitment, and service have extraordinarily contributed to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association.

Distinguished Volunteer

To honor those who, through their volunteer efforts, provide outstanding service to the USCGA Alumni Association and/or to the Academy.

Alumni Achievement

To honor those junior alumni whose noteworthy accomplishments have brought great honor to the Academy and to themselves, through their outstanding accomplishments and achievements; and who serve as outstanding examples of the type of character, courage, leadership, and well-rounded people the Academy seeks to attract.

Distinguished Mentorship

To honor those individuals who provide outstanding support, encouragement and inspiration; serve as role models; and help others discover their strengths, improve their weaknesses and achieve their full potential. These individual contributions have a direct and positive impact on members of the Coast Guard and the broader communities the Coast Guard serves.