Alumni Recognition Awards

Established to extol and thank our alumni volunteers, Johnson’s Alumni Recognition Awards honor alumni for their extraordinary volunteer service on behalf of the Johnson community, for their exceptional leadership and vision, and for their deep commitment to advancing inclusion within the Johnson School and the broader business community. Consideration is given to the length and depth of the individual’s activities.

L. Joseph Thomas Leadership Award

The L. Joseph Thomas Leadership Award is a lifetime achievement award that recognizes alumni for their exceptional demonstration of vision and leadership, sound business sense, and commitment to community.

Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award

The Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award is a lifetime achievement award that recognizes extraordinary alumni for their sustained and exemplary commitment to Johnson and its alumni.

Robert J. Swieringa Recent Alumni Service Award

The Robert J. Swieringa Recent Alumni Service Award recognizes alumni for their exemplary commitment to Johnson and its alumni, and continued engagement with Johnson as a volunteer leader in many engagement activities.

Wilbur Parker Inclusion Award

The Wilbur Parker Alumni Inclusion Award recognizes alumni who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within Johnson and the business world. Through their leadership and contributions, they inspire others to embrace diversity and create thriving communities for all.

Carlos R. Quintanilla Award

The Carlos R. Quintanilla Distinguished Latino Alumni Award recognized alumni for exceptional achievements and significant contributions to their professions, community, and society as a whole, for their demonstrated commitment to Johnson, and for promoting the advancement of Latinos in the business world.

Out in Business Award*

The Out in Business Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 2019, recognized alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in business and society, attained outstanding professional achievement, and made a significant impact on the Cornell MBA community.

*In 2025, this award was combined with the Wilbur Parker Inclusion Award. This award is now given annually to one alumnus/na who demonstrates the values that the award’s namesake, Wilbur Parker, MBA ’50, stood for.

Henry P. Renard ’54, MBA ’55 Regional Club of the Year Award

The Henry P. Renard ’54, MBA ’55 Regional Club of the Year Award recognizes regional club leaders and members for the innovation, creativity, and diversity of their programs, the total number of events hosted, and the percent of local alumni who attend.

Reunion Awards

Johnson Alumni Reunion Awards recognize each year’s reunion classes that achieve records in giving and in reunion attendance.