Mighty oaks from little acorns grow…
The National Alumnus of the Year Award features an acorn, a reminder that Scouts and Scouters plant trees under which they may never sit.
It is in that vein that the award was created as it recognizes those that promote and share the gift of Scouting through their careers, avocations, and their influence.
The National Alumnus of the Year Award is different than other awards in Scouting as it does not simply recognize the individual for being a distinguished person or honor those giving time and energy to the BSA as a volunteer leader; Scouting already has awards that do that.
Eligibility
Primary consideration (80%) is given to those that:
- Remind Scouting alumni to maintain a lifetime relationship with Scouting, which enables Scouting to remain healthy for future generations.
- Scouting promotion, contributing significantly to the promotion and/or advancement of the BSA alumni program and activities at a Council over a sustained period-of-time through word and/or deed.
- Bring Scouting Alumni back to the Campfire.
Secondary consideration (20%) is given to:
- Career and/or avocation, such as achieving high honor or distinction in their chosen profession.
- Community service, including contributions to Scouting or other community efforts or organizations.
How to Get the Award
- Nominees must be a BSA alumnus – which means he or she has been positively and personally impacted by the BSA in some way.
- A maximum of one recipient may be awarded per year.
- The nomination is not to be submitted posthumously.
- Nominations are submitted to the BSA Alumni Association electronically to bsa.alumni@scouting.org by December 31 of the preceding year.
- The Awards and Recognition subcommittee of the BSA Alumni Association then convenes a selection committee to select the Honorees.
The Awards and Recognition subcommittee of the BSA Alumni Association then convenes a selection committee to select the Honorees. Presentation traditionally is made at the BSA National Annual Meeting.
Downloads
Item Description and Uniform Placement
Certificate, Lapel Pin and Orange ribbon with medal.
National Alumnus of the Year Award Recipients
| Year | Name | NST | Region | Council Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | John M. Coughlin | NER | Westchester-Putnam Council | |
| 2012 | Glenn A. Adams | 8 | SR | Longhorn Council |
| 2013 | Dr. David Lloyd Briscoe | 8 | SR | Quapaw Area Council |
| 2014 | Richard P. Bragga | 15 | SR | Heart of Virginia Council |
| 2015 | Edward A. Pease | 9 | NER | Crossroads of America Council |
| 2017 | Dr. Robert M. Gates | |||
| 2018 | Joseph L. Weingarten | 9 | CR | Crossroads of America Council |
| 2019 | Todd R. Plotner | 9 | CR | Michigan Crossroads Council |
| 2020 | Russell Hoke Smart | 15 | SR | Blue Ridge Council |
| 2021 | Randy L. Potts | 15 | Coastal Carolina Council | |
| 2022 | Lou Paulson | 3 | Golden Gate Area Council | |
| 2023 | Ian Romaine, Ph.D. | 14 | Middle Tennessee Council |