Pitzer Alumni Association Awards

Pitzer College produces engaged, socially responsible citizens of the world through an academically rigorous, interdisciplinary liberal arts education emphasizing social justice, intercultural understanding, and environmental sensitivity.

On an annual basis, the Pitzer College Alumni Association recognizes one alumna/us and one recent graduate who embodies the values of the College and our community.

Awards Given

The awards are as follows:

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a graduate who boldly puts the spirit of a Pitzer education into action. This person’s professional and/or personal achievements demonstrate an unwavering commitment to making impactful changes in their community. The recipient demonstrates how a Pitzer education truly prepares graduates to transform the world.

Young Alumni Achievement Award

The Young Alumni Achievement Award recognizes a graduate of the last ten years under the age of 35 who relentlessly applies Pitzer’s unique educational experience to their new professional life. The recipient finds creative and innovative ways to make impactful changes in the community.

Nominating an Alum

If you know a Pitzer alum who has an outstanding track record of demonstrating our core values in their career and in their post-graduation service to the College, they might be a good fit for one of the Alumni Association's awards. To nominate an alum for an award, use our nomination form: 
Alumni Awards Nomination Form

This Year’s Winners

This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award went to Susan Warren, PhD, ’78, P’01, for her exemplary service to the College, the Claremont community, and society as a whole. From her work as a K-8 school teacher, program specialist, and principal to her leadership of Project THINK, a summer STEAM program for schoolchildren in grades PK–8 that is held on the College’s campus each year, Warren has put Pitzer’s core values into action at every step of her career.

The Young Alumni Achievement Award went to Cesar Vargas Nuñez ’14, a tenure-track professor at Claremont McKenna College whose research will help address healthcare inequality in undocumented communities. His tireless work studying healthcare inequality during his Fulbright in Spain and his doctoral studies at Stanford University shows his commitment to Pitzer’s values and his drive to make a difference in his community and the world.
Learn More about This Year’s Winners