The Gustavus Adolphus College Alumni Association awards two major awards each year, Distinguished Alumni Citation and First Decade Award. It also occasionally awards the Greater Gustavus Award.
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Distinguished Alumni Citation
The Distinguished Alumni Citation recognizes outstanding and exceptional career achievement by graduates of the College. Criteria appropriate to selection shall include the difficulty of accomplishment; quality, creativity, and distinctiveness of performance; recognition by peers; and lasting contribution to the world of ideas and affairs. Humanitarian achievements may also be weighed.
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First Decade Award
First presented in 1968, the First Decade Award was established to recognize one male and one female for early career achievement by graduates of the 10th anniversary class. Criteria appropriate to selection shall include, but not limited to, the difficulty of accomplishment; quality, creativity, and distinctiveness of performance; recognition by [professional] peers; and lasting contribution to the world of ideas and affairs.
- Greater Gustavus Award
This is the highest award given by the Gustavus Alumni Association and awarded to those "who have notably advanced and aided Gustavus Adolphus College."
- Silver Anniversary Award
Newly established this Silver Anniversary Award was designed to recognize one member from the 25th Anniversary class for exceptional career achievement. Criteria appropriate to selection shall include, but not limited to, the difficulty of accomplishment; quality, creativity, and distinctiveness of performance; recognition by [professional] peers; and lasting contribution to the world of ideas and affairs.
- Golden Anniversary Award
First presented in 2015, the Golden Anniversary Award was established to recognize one member from the 50th Anniversary class for exceptional career achievement. Criteria appropriate to selection shall include, but not limited to, the difficulty of accomplishment; quality, creativity, and distinctiveness of performance; recognition by [professional] peers; and lasting contribution to the world of ideas and affairs.