The AAAYA Distinguished Service Award is presented to recognize outstanding service to the Asian/Asian American and Yale communities. The award acknowledges excellence in leadership supporting Asian/Asian American awareness, and honors the contributions rendered by an individual related to the Yale community.

Nominees must possess a relationship to Yale (alumnus/a, current employee, emeritus employee, etc.) and demonstrate at least some of the following criteria:

  • Significant ongoing contributions to the Asian/Asian American communities in the United States
  • Significant ongoing contributions to the Asian/Asian American communities at Yale University
  • Significant contributions to furthering knowledge/scholarship about the Asian/Asian American diaspora worldwide
  • Values congruent with the AAAYA, AYA, and Yale — including service, scholarship, and leadership
  • Behavior that is a model for future generations of Yale alumni
  • Efforts to instill broad public value for diversity of cultural understanding

Process and Timing

The award for 2014 will be presented at the Yale Asian Alumni Reunion (April 11-13, 2014). The deadline for the submission of nominations is February 17, 2014.

To nominate yourself or someone you know, please submit the following information to nominations@aaaya.org.

  • Your Information:
  • Your Name
  • Degree & Year
  • Your e-mail
  • Your phone
  • Nominee Information:
  • Nominee Name (if different)
  • Degree & Year or Yale Affiliation (position & rank, etc.)
  • E-Mail
  • Phone
  • Address
  • A statement of nomination that addresses the six criteria listed above – statement should not be longer than 500 words.

Before making a nomination, please ensure that the person nominated is willing to accept the award, if chosen, at the Alumni Reunion on April 11-13, 2014.