Nomination Deadline: The due date for preliminary nominations has passed. Full nominations are due by October 17, 2008.

As a world class institution of higher education, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is proud of its long history of educating exceptional students from around the globe. Since its founding in 1867, the University of Illinois has welcomed more than 29,000 international students to the Urbana-Champaign campus.

Established in 2000, the Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Alumni Award for Exceptional Achievement recognizes the university’s distinguished international alumni. Recipients of the award include individuals who are highly distinguished in their profession, either internationally or nationally in their own country; who have helped their nation or the world by outstanding contributions to government, humanity, science, art, or human welfare; and
who exemplify the strength of their education at the University of Illinois.

Eligibility
To be eligible, the nominee shall:

• Have received a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In exceptional cases, attendance for one academic year may be sufficient.
• Have been a citizen of a country other than the United States at the time he/she enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
• Have distinguished him/herself in activities in a country other than the U.S. or in an international context.
• Not be a current member of the University of Illinois faculty, staff, or Board of Trustees.

Preliminary Nomination Process
Preliminary nominations shall include a completed preliminary nomination form providing the following:

• Name of nominee
• Nominee contact information
• Current employer or institutional affiliation
• Country of residence
• Country of origin
• Degree(s) received from the University of Illinois
• University of Illinois nominating unit(s)
• Brief summary (approx. 300 words) of nominee's qualities and accomplishments that are relevant to the award criteria (see below).
• Principal nominator name and contact information
  

Full Nomination Process
Full nominations shall include a completed nomination cover sheet providing the following:

• Name of nominee
• Nominee contact information
• Current employer or institutional affiliation
• Country of residence
• Country of origin
• Degree(s) received from the University of Illinois
• University of Illinois nominating unit(s)
• Principal nominator name and contact information

In addition to the information above, the following will be required for consideration of finalist candidates once they have been selected:

• Narrative, not to exceed five pages, that describes the nominee's qualities and accomplishments and how they fit the criteria for award.
• Resume of the nominee
• Three letters of support

Award Criteria
The selection committee will recommend one or more individuals from the nomination pool that best satisfy the following criteria:

• Must be highly distinguished in his/her business, profession or life's work, either internationally or nationally in his or her country.
• Must be of such stature and accomplishment that students, faculty and staff of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will take pride in and be inspired by his/her recognition.
• Must be an individual whose contributions to humanity, science, art, or human welfare have helped the citizens of his/her country and/or the global population.
• Must be an individual who in life activities reflects the importance of his/her education at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  
  

Selection Process and Committee
A selection committee will be appointed to evaluate all nominations and suggest up to three choices to the Chancellor for final selection. The selection committee will be formed within the following framework:

• Two faculty members nominated from large colleges (on rotation)
• Two faculty members nominated from small colleges/schools (on rotation)
• One member from International Programs and Studies
• One member from the Alumni Association
• One or more members at large (selected by the Chancellor or designee)

The Associate Provost for International Affairs will seek nominations for members of the selection committee from deans, directors, or heads of the relevant units.