In 1996 the Alumni Association of Vanderbilt University began periodically granting the Distinguished Alumnus/a Award, not only to honor worthy recipients, but also to inspire students and alumni. Nomination form

The Distinguished Alumnus/a Award is bestowed on an alumnus/a who meets these criteria:

• His/her accomplishments and contributions have had the broadest possible impact and a positive effect on humankind.
• He/she has made a choice to go beyond a successful vocation to do something of greater benefit for the universal community.

Previous recipients include:

	2012 - Rear Admiral Nora Tyson (BA'79) Vice Director of the Joint Staff, first female commander of a naval carrier strike group
	2008 - Dr. Levi Watkins (MD'70) Groundbreaking cardiologist and pioneer in coronary heart disease research
	2007 - Carol Ann Etherington  (MSN'75) health and human rights advocate
	2005 - The Reverend James M. Lawson  ('60) renowned nonviolent theorist
	2004 - Dr. Mildred T. Stahlman  (BA'43, MD'46, HO'48) pioneer in neonatology
	2002 - Dr. Thomas F. Frist Jr.  (BA'61) one of the founders and former chairman of HCA
	2000 - Dr. Antonio Gotto  (BA'57, MD'65) Dean of Cornell Univ. Medical College
	1999 - Delbert Mann  (BA'41) Oscar-winning director
	1998 - Cal Turner Jr.  (BA'62) former Dollar General CEO
	1997 - Dr. Norman E. Shumway (MD'49) pioneer in heart transplants
	1996 - Muhammad Yunus (PhD'71) Nobel Prize winning Bangladeshi banker

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