Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award

Purpose: The Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual whose career has been dedicated to the service and leadership of public and land-grant universities. Candidates should have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in advancing the mission of public and land-grant universities, including student success; research and discovery; and community and economic engagement.

Requirements:

• Must have served as president/chancellor at an APLU member institution
• A career dedicated to the ideals and mission of public higher education/embody the ideals of APLU
• Active in APLU and other higher education leadership communities
  

To nominate an individual, please email publicaffairs@aplu.org with the subject line McPherson Award Nomination. Nominations should be about 1 to 2 pages and describe the nominee’s career achievements, leadership contributions, and enduring impact on public higher education.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 15, 2026.

The APLU Board of Directors Executive Committee and President makes the final decision on the awardee.

About Peter McPherson: Peter McPherson was APLU president from 2006 to September 2022. During his tenure, he expanded membership by dozens of institutions, including allowing members from Canada and Mexico; oversaw the expansion of a sophisticated federal advocacy arm; and more than doubled the size of the association’s staff to work in partnership with member institutions on projects aimed at helping them better serve students, communities, their states, the nation, and the world. For more details on his tenure, click here.

Prior McPherson Award Winners

Nancy Zimpher Honored with Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award

Harold L. Martin Sr. Honored with Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award

APLU Honors Brit Kirwan with the Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award