Becoming a Forty Under 40 Nominee
Eligibility for Nomination
To be considered for the 2026 SC State Forty Under 40 Alumni Achievement Awards, nominees must meet all of the following criteria:
- Must be under age 40 as of December 31, 2026
- Must be a South Carolina State University undergraduate or graduate degree holder
- Demonstrates excellence, leadership, and measurable impact in their profession or industry
- Actively engaged with SC State through alumni involvement, volunteerism, or university initiatives
- Shows a commitment to maintaining a lifelong connection to SC State through time, talent, and/or financial support
- Must be willing to provide a professional headshot and biography if selected
- Previous recipients are not eligible to receive the award again
Nomination Process
Nominations may be submitted by anyone, including alumni, faculty, staff, students,
or members of the community. Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged.
All nominations must be submitted using the official online nomination form. Submissions
will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of SC State alumni, students, faculty,
and staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an SC State alum to nominate someone for the Forty Under 40 Award?
No. Anyone may submit a nomination—including faculty, staff, alumni, students, and friends of the university.
Can I nominate someone in person or over the phone?
No. To ensure fairness and consistency, only nominations submitted through the official online form will be accepted.
What is the nomination deadline?
Nominations close on June 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Can I nominate more than one alum?
Yes. You are welcome to submit separate nominations for each alumnus.
I’ve been nominated for SC State’s Forty Under 40. What happens next?
If you are nominated, you will receive an email from the Office of University Advancement with confirmation of your nomination and a request for any additional materials needed at that time. Completion of the application and submission of required materials confirms your acceptance of the nomination.
When will the Class of 2026 be announced?
Honorees will be announced at the beginning of July 2026.
When is the Forty Under 40 Awards Ceremony?
The awards ceremony will be held during SC State’s Homecoming Week on Friday, October 23, 2026. More details will be provided at a later date.
Who do I contact with additional questions?
Please contact the Division of University Advancement at abraile1@scsu.edu or call (803) 516-4571.