The Scripps alumnae community is made up of many amazingly dedicated, involved, and accomplished individuals. Together, they define the great strength and resilience of the collective community. Each year, we celebrate this by honoring four alums—Distinguished Alumna of the Year, Outstanding Recent Alumna, Commitment to Community, and Volunteer of the Year—and the positive impact they make at Scripps, in their own communities, and beyond.
Join us in person or online for Reunion Weekend Convocation on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. PT, as we hear the stories of this years’ awardees and celebrate their remarkable accomplishments.
2026 Alumnae Awards
Congratulations to this year’s Alumnae Awards recipients!
Commitment to Community: Nancy L. Matthews ’87
Distinguished Alumna of the Year: Regina Gonthier ’71
Outstanding Recent Alumna: Christina Noriega Bambrick ’13
Volunteer of the Year: Ana Martinez ’06
Learn more about Nancy, Regina, Christina, and Ana below, and send them a note of congratulations.
Alumnae Awards Information
View the Alumnae Awards FAQs here.
“The mission of Scripps College is to educate women to develop their intellects and talents through active participation in a community of scholars, so that as graduates they may contribute to society through public and private lives of leadership, service, integrity, and creativity.”
To support nominators in preparing a compelling nomination that effectively captures the candidate’s strengths for the Honors, Awards, Recognition Committee’s review, we offer the following recommendations to help structure your submission for maximum impact, whether you’re nominating someone else or yourself:
Consider group nominations: Submissions from multiple classmates often provide a richer, more well-rounded view of the nominee. Collaborating with others can highlight a broader range of strengths and accomplishments.
Be specific and include examples: Short nominations that lack detail or concrete examples tend to have less impact. Providing specific instances of the nominee’s contributions and achievements helps the committee better understand their significance.
Focus on impact and leadership, not just participation: It’s important to highlight how the nominee has made a difference — in a project, group, or community — rather than simply listing roles or activities. Emphasize initiative, influence, and outcomes wherever possible.
Remember: what’s not written won’t be reviewed: The committee will only consider the information included in the nomination. If something is not mentioned, it will not be taken into account — so be thorough, provide several examples, and fill in any gaps.
By following these suggestions, you’ll help ensure your nomination is as strong and effective as possible!
View past Alumnae Awards recipients:
