The designation of Honorary Alumni is bestowed upon individuals who have served Reed College and/or the Alumni Association with honor, integrity, and distinction. This recognition honors exemplary leadership, service, and sustained contributions that have meaningfully strengthened the Reed community.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors (Alumni Board) has the authority to confer Honorary Alumni status.
Submit a Nomination
Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed annually.
Additional letters of support are strongly encouraged and may be submitted as part of the nomination process.
For questions, contact: alumni@reed.edu
Nomination Process
- Alumni, faculty, and staff may nominate an individual for Honorary Alumni status
- Nominations are collected by Alumni Relations and reviewed annually by the Alumni Board Nominations Committee (typically late summer or early fall)
- Alumni Relations conducts an initial review and institutional due diligence in partnership with college leadership
- Eligible nominations are advanced to the Nominations Committee for evaluation
Evaluation Criteria
The Nominations Committee evaluates nominees based on:
- Outstanding service to Reed College and/or the Alumni Association
- Demonstrated loyalty to Reed and its community
- Commitment to Reed’s values
- Support of equity and inclusion
- Consistent honorable conduct throughout their engagement with Reed
Eligibility
The following individuals are not eligible for Honorary Alumni status:
- Graduates of Reed College
- Current Reed College employees or faculty
- Current members of the Board of Trustees, and their spouses or partners
Selection Process
- By tradition, retiring emeriti faculty are automatically considered
- The Nominations Committee reviews all eligible nominations and forwards recommendations to the full Alumni Board for a vote (typically in September)
- Following approval, the Vice President for Advancement and the President’s Office are notified
- Honorees are formally notified by Alumni Relations
The Alumni Board reserves the right to revoke Honorary Alumni status by vote if necessary.
Deadline: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
This recognition is intended for individuals whose contributions to Reed have been both sustained and impactful over time.