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Submit a Nomination

‍Do you know of a graduate worthy of recognition for a particular achievement, a series of such achievements, or a career of noteworthy accomplishment? Nominate an alumni to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards! Submit a nomination by the application deadline of January 17, 2025 (11:59 pm, PT).

 

All nominations must be submitted online and by the deadline to be considered. 

2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

The Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA)—Caltech’s highest honor for alumni—is presented this year to four alumni who, because of both personal commitment and professional contributions, have made remarkable impacts in a field, on the community, or in society more broadly.  ‍
David Brin, BS '73

David Brin, PhD (BS ’73)

Author

For his enduring excellence in storytelling, examining how change, science, and technology affect the human condition in his New York Times-bestselling science fiction novels; for his support of revolutionary ideas in space science and engineering through NASA’s Innovative and Advanced Concepts Program.

Louise Chow, PhD '73

Louise Chow, PhD (PhD ’73)

Retired faculty, University of Alabama at Birmingham

For her pioneering methods in electron microscopy, which led to the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of split genes, one of the most important breakthroughs in molecular biology; for research that has opened doors to improved diagnosis and treatment of human papillomaviruses.

William "Bill" Coughran, BS '75, MA '75

William“Bill” Coughran, PhD (BS ’75, MS ’75)

Investor, Sequoia Capital

For his influential role as a Silicon Valley executive, mentor, and investor, helping ambitious startups grow into transformative companies; for overseeing the development and continuous improvement of iconic products at Google, including Chrome, maps, and Google search.

Timothy Swager, PhD '88 CH

Timothy M. Swager, PhD (PhD ’88)

John D. MacArthur Professor of Chemistry, MIT

For his groundbreaking advancements in molecular electronics and chemical sensing, which created a new generation of devices with unparalleled levels of chemical sensitivity; for translating these discoveries to benefit humanity, such as keeping troops safe from explosives.

About the Award

The Caltech Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor the Institute bestows upon a graduate, and it is given in recognition of “a particular achievement of noteworthy value, a series of such achievements, or a career of noteworthy accomplishment.”

Living alumni who have attained any degree (BS, MS, Engineer, or PhD) at Caltech may be considered eligible for this award. No anonymous or self-nominations will be accepted. Graduates on the faculty or staff of Caltech are not eligible, except those who have achieved the rank of Emeritus/Emerita Professor.

Members of the Institute’s Board of Trustees are not eligible until they have achieved the rank of Life Trustee. Selections are made by the President of Caltech based on recommendations from a committee comprising faculty, staff, and alumni; the President’s recommendations are confirmed by the Board of Trustees.

Since the award’s inception in 1966, Caltech has recognized 280 alumni for contributions and achievements in a variety of industries and disciplines such as science, engineering, business, education, medicine, and the arts.

Recent Distinguished Alumni

Nader Engheta MS '79 | PhD '82

Nader Engheta MS '79 | PhD '82

Karen Maples, MD BSS '76

Karen Maples, MD BSS '76

Eugene Meyers BS '75

Eugene Meyers BS '75

Kenneth Suslick BS '74

Kenneth Suslick BS '74

Bette Korber PhD '88

Bette Korber PhD '88

Sudhir Jain MS ’80 | PhD ’83

Sudhir Jain MS ’80 | PhD ’83

Kam-Yin Lau BS '78 | MS '78 | PhD '78

Kam-Yin Lau BS '78 | MS '78 | PhD '78

Laurie Leshin MS '89 | PhD '95

Laurie Leshin MS '89 | PhD '95

Charles Elachi MS '69 | PhD '71

Charles Elachi MS '69 | PhD '71

Barbara Burger PhD '87

Barbara Burger PhD '87

Bob Behnken MS '93 | PhD '97

Bob Behnken MS '93 | PhD '97

Fei-Fei Li MS '02 | PhD '05 | Electrical Engineering

Fei-Fei Li MS '02 | PhD '05 | Electrical Engineering