Lawrentians have achieved tremendous success by following diverse and exciting career paths, and they have shared their light through volunteerism and service almost as boundless as our university’s vision.  Celebrate them here—and celebrate with them at your next reunion!

Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA) Awards

The Lawrence University Alumni Association presents five prestigious annual awards to honor deserving alumni:

  • Lucia Russell Briggs Distinguished Achievement Award
  • Nathan M. Pusey Distinguished Achievement Award
  • George B. Walter ’36 Service to Society Award
  • Gertrude Breithaupt Jupp M-D’18 Outstanding Service Award
  • Marshall B. Hulbert ’26 Outstanding Service Award

These awards are presented each year to recognize alumni for distinguished achievement in a career field, service to society, and service to the college.

Nomination deadline: Nominations are due by October 20 preceding the recipient’s Reunion year.

Because many alumni are nominated each year, we ask that you share background information on the nominee and keep this process confidential. Candidates are researched by the Lawrence University Alumni Association nominations and awards committee.  A member of this group may contact you for additional information.

Learn about past winners here.

We are honored to announce that the following alumni have been selected to receive these awards at Reunion in 2023, and we hope that their light inspires all Lawrentians to shine a little brighter.


The Lucia Russell Briggs Distinguished Achievement Award

This award is presented, in accordance with the approved policies of the Board, to a member of the alumni community of Lawrence University or Milwaukee-Downer College after their 25th Reunion, for outstanding contributions and achievements in their career field. The award is named after Lucia R. Briggs, president of Milwaukee-Downer College and one of the most beloved and influential figures in the college’s history.

Eligibility: To be eligible, a candidate’s achievements should be supported by suitable awards, publications, memberships, leadership positions, career development, peer recommendations as national reputation.


The Nathan M. Pusey Distinguished Achievement Award

This award is presented, in accordance with the approved policies of the Board, to a member of the alumni community of Lawrence University celebrating their 25th Reunion or earlier, for significant contributions and achievements in a career field. An eligible candidate should show strong accomplishment in their field including but not limited to: awards, publications, memberships, leadership positions, career development, and peer recommendations. In addition, the candidate should have established at least a regional reputation based on their achievements. The award is named after Nathan M. Pusey, the tenth and one of the youngest presidents of Lawrence College, an outstanding and exemplary figure in higher education in the 20th century.


The George B. Walter ’36 Service to Society Award

This award is presented, in accordance with the approved policies of the Board, to a member of the alumni community of Lawrence University or Milwaukee-Downer College who best exemplify the ideals of a liberal education through its application to socially useful ends in the community, the nation, or the world. This award honors George B. Walter ’36, alumnus, faculty member, educator, and dean of men, whose work at the college and beyond promoted his conviction that every individual can and should make a positive difference in their world.


The Gertrude Breithaupt Jupp M-D’18 Outstanding Service Award

This award is presented, in accordance with the approved policies of the Board, to a member of the alumni community of Lawrence University or Milwaukee-Downer College after their 25th Reunion, who has provided outstanding service to Lawrence University within or apart from the Lawrence University Alumni Association. This award honors Gertrude Breithaupt Jupp ’18 voted Milwaukee-Downer alumna of the year in 1964 for her long-standing service to the college, which included president of the alumnae association board, class secretary, and public relations officer. (Candidates cannot be currently employed by LU, serving on the LUAA Board of Directors, or on the Board of Trustees.)


The Marshall B. Hulbert ’26 Outstanding Service Award

This award is presented, in accordance with the approved policies of the Board, to a member of the alumni community of Lawrence University celebrating their 25th Reunion or earlier, who has provided significant service to the college within or apart from the Lawrence University Alumni Association. This award honors Marshall Brandt Hulbert ’26 known as “Mr. Lawrence,” who made contributions to thousands of Lawrentian lives and served in many significant capacities during 54 of his 74 years. (Candidates cannot be currently employed by LU, serving on the LUAA Board of Directors, or on the Board of Trustees.)