The
Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) program honors 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, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (USNA AA&F), or affiliate groups. 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. Recipients receive a medal awarded in Alumni Hall each spring.
UPDATE 9 April 2025: The USNA AA&F is pleased to announce the 2025 DGA ceremony and recognition events will be held on the following dates:
• 2025 DGA Medal Ceremony: Thursday, 4 September at 4:30 p.m. ET in Alumni Hall
• 2025 DGA Banquet Dinner (invitation only): Thursday, 4 September at the Fluegel Alumni Center
• 2025 On-field recognition Navy vs. UAB football game: Saturday, 6 September
The window for nominating graduates for the 2026 award cycle opens on 1 July 2025 and closes on 15 October 2025.
Graduates must be nominated by their fellow alumni to be eligible for the award.
Nominators should use the DGA Package Guidelines available at the link below to format and submit their nominations.
* Dates of service are for DG Award years, not calendar years.