Presented by the Poly Alumni Association, the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna whose life and work embodies the school’s commitment to intellect, integrity, service to others, and respect for the world beyond. 

The award was originally established by former Head of School John Bergen.

2023 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

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  • Olugbenga Ajilore ’92

    Olugbenga “Gbenga” Ajilore, Ph.D. is an American economist who is a senior advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture.

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2021 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

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Previous Award Recipients

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Nomination Guidelines

Eligibility

All living alumni are eligible. Any member of the Poly community may make a nomination. Current members of the Polytechnic School’s Board of Trustees and Alumni Board or current faculty and staff are not eligible to receive this award. 

Criteria

The recipient will be selected based on the following criteria:
  • Significant accomplishment in career or field of interest;
  • Excellence in service to the community or to society in general;
  • Volunteerism that has inspired others;
  • The embodiment of Poly's values and traditions, including integrity, curiosity, compassion, courtesy, service to others, and respect for the world beyond.

Nomination and Selection

Nominations must be received by March 31 for consideration this year. If an individual is not selected they may be nominated again for consideration in subsequent years. Submissions made after March 31 will be considered for the following year.

Selection of the Distinguished Alumni Award recipient will be based upon the qualifications of the candidate, not upon the number of nominations received for a particular individual.

Timeline

Nominations will close on March 31 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The Distinguished Alumni Award will be announced in the Fall.

Questions? Contact us at alumni@polytechnic.org.