From left to right: Dr Pieter du Toit (Chairman: Alumni National Executive), Mrs Sarina Cronjé (winner: Executive Management Award), Prof Francis Petersen (Rector and Vice-Chancellor), Mr Zola Valashiya and Mr David Abbey (winners: Cum Laude Awards), Dr Khotso Mokhele (Chancellor), Ms Leah Molatseli (winner: Young Alumnus of the Year Award), Mr Johan Eksteen (winner: Cum Laude Award) and Mr Vian Chinner (winner: Chancellor's Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award)
Spanning 35 years, the annual Chancellor's Distinguished Alumni Awards are held to recognise the outstanding achievements of our alumni provincially, nationally and internationally. These alumni have not only placed the University of the Free State on the world stage, but have inspired the next generation of Kovsies and their communities at large.
The Chancellor's Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented on 26 August 2017 during a gala dinner at the Reitz Hall, Centenary Complex, Bloemfontein campus of the University of the Free State. The awards were presented to eight alumni in five categories:
- Cum Laude Award: bestowed upon an alumnus to recognise excellence in any field.
- David Abbey, Zola Valashiya and Johan Eksteen
- Executive Management Award: presented to any person (not necessarily an alumnus) who has delivered exceptional service to the university.
- Ambassador’s Award: bestowed upon an individual whose achievements have brought distinction, benefited his/her community and brought credit to the University of the Free State.
- Franco Smith and Crystal-Donna Roberts
- Young Alumnus of the Year: aimed at recognising and celebrating the achievements of alumni who have graduated within the past decade.
- Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year: recognises the distinguished achievements of its recipient on a national or international scale.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients.
Download the 2017 Chancellor's Distinguished Alumni Awardees booklet to read more about our awardees.