The University of Louisville is now accepting nominations for its 2023 Alumni Awards, the highest honor bestowed by Louisville Alumni. For more than 30 years, the Alumni Awards have honored and celebrated the historic achievements of UofL graduates.

The UofL community and public are encouraged to nominate Louisville graduates who deserve to be recognized for their career accomplishments, philanthropic endeavors and contributions to the community. Honorees will be recognized during the 2023 Alumni Awards ceremony this fall during Homecoming week on UofL’s Belknap Campus.

“Louisville Alumni is grateful for the strong culture of alumni innovators, educators and collaborators who share the common bond of being UofL graduates,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. “These awards recognize distinguished graduates who are exemplary ambassadors for the university and reflect the high standing and character of their alma mater.”

In addition to Alumni Fellow awards designated for each school and college, Louisville Alumni also will present awards for Emerging Leader, Diversity Leadership, Alumni Ambassador and the Wilson Wyatt Alumnus(a) of the Year. 

New to the program this year is the first-ever Military Alumni Award, an honor that allows UofL to celebrate its commitment, support and appreciation of UofL’s many military-connected alumni.

The Wilson Wyatt Alumnus(a) of the Year award personifies the qualities, mission and values of the university. The 2022 Alumna of the Year was awarded to Lucy Lee Helm ’79, ’82 who, as chief partner officer, guided Starbucks through multiple human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Students, graduates and friends of the university can submit online nominations to the Office of Alumni Relations until Friday, Feb. 17^.

Criteria for each award, as well as nomination forms, are available online at . Listings of previous Alumni Awards honorees also can be found on the website. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 502-852-6186 or visit .

The Alumni Awards are the highest honors bestowed by Louisville Alumni. Helm is one of 18 honorees who will be celebrated this fall during

Helm received a Bachelor of Arts with highest honors in political science in 1979 and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Brandeis School of Law in 1982. She was twice selected as a University of Louisville Alumni Fellow: in 2008, for the College of Arts & Sciences and in 2017, for the Brandeis School of Law.

She retired from Starbucks Coffee Co. after a prestigious 21-year career in legal and human resources roles, including serving on the company’s executive team as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary and executive vice president, chief partner officer (leading human resources).

“Lucy Helm is an extraordinary Cardinal who is deeply committed to UofL’s mission. We are proud and excited to recognize her accomplishments at this year’s Alumni Awards celebration,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president for alumni relations. “Her commitment to excellence inspires all of us to follow her lead and make a positive impact on our community.”

At Starbucks, Helm was a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, including leading the company’s achievement of gender and racial pay equity in the U.S. She also created Starbucks’ pro bono services program, which became a model for other corporate law departments. Helm is now the global chair of the board of Mercy Corps, a global relief and development organization.

The Alumnus of the Year honoree personifies the qualities, mission and values of the university. The award is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in professional and philanthropic endeavors and who has shown loyalty and support to the entire university.

Helm joins the 2022 Alumni Fellows who represent each of UofL’s colleges, schools, libraries and student affairs division, as well as the signature award winners, who will be recognized for extraordinary achievements in their profession and enduring service in their community.

The 2022 Alumni Fellows are:

• Charles P. Denny ’75, ’80
• Sadiqa N. Reynolds ’93
• Evan Holladay ’13
• Lois S. Cronholm ’62, ’67
• Lynn Hampton ’78, ’83
• Amy B. Farnsworth ’92, ’95
• Awab Habib ’15
• Michael D. Anthony ’05, ’10
• Renee Campbell ’82
• Gulam Zade ’11
• Carol Friedman Abrams ’68
• Christa-Marie Singleton ’92
• Barry C. Johnson ’81, ’85
• Kimberly Meyer ’92, ’16
• Duke Appiah ’09, ’13
• Norbert E. Paulin ’70

For more than 30 years, the Alumni Awards have honored and celebrated the historic achievements of graduates who are exemplary ambassadors for the university.

“Louisville Alumni is grateful for the strong culture of alumni innovators, educators and collaborators who share the common bond of being UofL graduates,” Hawkins said. “The Alumni Awards is our opportunity to honor and celebrate our extraordinary alumni.” 

The 2022 Alumni Awards presented by Commonwealth Credit Union will be held Thursday, Oct. 20.