What do the deputy minister of finance, the inventor of the IMAX Camera and the editor-in-chief of Gardening Life magazine have in common? They are all honoured recipients of the McMaster Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award.

Nominations for the award are now being accepted until March 31.

Almost 15 years ago, the McMaster Alumni Association established the Distinguished Alumni Awards as the highest form of recognition offered by the Alumni Association to its members. Each year, two Distinguished Alumni Awards are awarded at the fall Convocation ceremonies to honour alumni who have established themselves as leaders in the arts, comprising humanities, performing and fine arts, social sciences and business; and the sciences, comprising science, engineering and health sciences.

The nominees will have distinguished themselves through outstanding scholarship, research or creative contributions to the arts and sciences.

To submit a nomination go to http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/nominationform.htm. Or contact the Alumni Office at ext. 23900 or email alumni@mcmaster.ca.

McMaster prides itself on its reputation as a university dedicated to innovative programs and interdisciplinary studies. The recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Awards have also distinguished themselves as leaders in their chosen fields and are living examples of McMaster's core values.

There are 27 recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award, ranging from professional artists to historians, policy makers to human rights acitivists, innovative researchers to health care professionals. More than half of the Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are also members of McMaster Alumni Gallery. To view a list of past recipients go to www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/daa.htm or check out the Alumni Gallery at www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/gallery.htm.

Last year, deputy minister of finance, Kevin Lynch '80, received the Distinguished Alumni Award for the arts for his contribution to Canadian finance, and Martin Green '74 travelled from Australia to receive the science award for his research leading to innovations in solar cell technology.