EVENTS & PROGRAMS 

Distinguished Graduate Award Program

 

ABOUT

The Distinguished Graduate Award
was established in 1998 to

honor graduates who have
demonstrated a lifetime
commitment to service,
personal character and distinguished
contributions to our nation.

The program is governed by the DGA Program Guidelines, approved and curated by the Board of Trustees.

Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) program, honoring living U.S. Naval Academy graduates who have made a distinctive contribution to their field or community and have demonstrated sustained, active support for the Naval Academy, Naval Academy Alumni Association, or Naval Academy Foundation. Each year up to four graduates are chosen from a field of candidates nominated by their alumni peers for this, the highest honor the Alumni Association bestows on a living graduate and selected by the DGA Selection Panel, chaired by Admiral Harry Harris ’78, USN (Ret.). The recipient will receive a medal and is expected to attend the DGA Recognition Award Ceremony. 

Meet the 2024 DGA RECIPIENTS

  • • ADM Dennis C. Blair, USN (Ret.), Class of 1968
  • • ADM Samuel J. Locklear III, USN (Ret.), Class of 1977
  • • Mr. Jerrold L. Miller, Class of 1977
  • • Mr. John F. Young, Class of 1978

The 2024 DGA Medal Ceremony is 4:30PM EDT, Friday 22 March 2024, at Alumni Hall, U.S. Naval Academy.

Read the press release with abbreviated bios here.

See the full list of DGA recipients by class year and by ceremony year.

Latest NEWS for 2024:

In Memoriam: Distinguished Graduate (2009) ADM Bruce DeMars '57, USN (Ret.)

Guidelines and Description

Nomination Package Guidelines (PDF)

Full Description of the Award/Criteria (PDF)