UBC Emeritus College seeks nominations for annual awards
Recognize the ongoing research and community achievements of UBC's emeriti. Nominate them for two awards before February 25.
The UBC Emeritus College is accepting nominations for two awards that honour the research endeavours and community leadership of UBC emeriti.
The Award for Excellence in Innovative and Creative Endeavours recognizes those who, since attaining emeritus status, have demonstrated outstanding achievements in research or artistic creation. The President’s Award for Distinguished Service honours those who show exceptional leadership in volunteer community services.
“Excellence does not end after retirement,” said Sandra Bressler, Principal of the College. “These awards recognize the ongoing scholarly endeavours and community leadership displayed by UBC’s retired faculty, librarians and program directors.”
Emeriti continue to contribute to UBC after they retire. Therefore, each year’s awardees must also exemplify the university’s stated purpose: “Pursuing excellence in research, learning and engagement to foster global citizenship and advance a sustainable and just society across British Columbia, Canada and the world.”
The College currently has close to 2,000 members who founded programs, schools, institutes, centres and faculties. They continue to teach, conduct research, serve on committees, mentor students and more after they retire.
“I encourage emeriti, as well as UBC’s deans, department heads, alumni and current students and faculty to nominate worthy individuals for these awards,” Bressler said. “Together, we can acknowledge the ongoing efforts of emeriti to inspire people, ideas and actions for a better world.”
Any person may submit nominations. However, candidates must be listed under “Emeritus Staff” in the UBC Vancouver Academic Calendar. Currently, UBC Okanagan emeriti are not eligible for either award. However, the College is looking into changing this policy for the 2027 awards.
Click here to start your nomination.
Click here to view past award recipients.
Questions about the awards, eligibility, criteria, process or nominations?
Please contact the UBC Emeritus College office at office@emerituscollege.ubc.ca.
All nominations must be submitted by February 25, 2026.
About UBC Emeritus College:
The UBC Emeritus College is Canada’s only academic unit for emeriti, retired faculty, senior administrators and librarians. The College seeks to foster healthy aging and lifelong learning for its nearly 2,000 members through lectures, special interest groups, workshops and financial support for research.
UBC’s emeriti and other retirees founded programs, schools, institutes, centres and faculties. They recruited the university’s current leaders and mentored thousands of students now driving meaningful change around the world. Many College members continue to advance groundbreaking research and serve as community leaders in retirement.
The College acts as a bridge between UBC and its members—connecting them to the academic environment they helped shape and giving them the opportunity to share their experience and partner for purpose to nurture a strong and vibrant UBC community and beyond.
Contact:
Heather Caulder
Communications Coordinator
UBC Emeritus College
communications@emerituscollege.ubc.ca
604.827.2137