The Gold Key Award recognizes outstanding and loyal service to the Division of the Biological Sciences and to the University of Chicago. This award is traditionally presented to divisional faculty members who are at or near retirement or are transitioning to emeritus status. BSD faculty members do not have to be an alumnus to be eligible for the Gold Key Award.

Gold Key nominations are due each year by February 28. If you would like to nominate a retiring faculty member for the Gold Key Award, please contact the UChicago MBSAA at alumni@bsd.uchicago.edu or (888) 303-0030.

Nominations should address the following:

  • Why does the nominee meet the qualifications for the Gold Key Award and represent the values and priorities of the University of Chicago?
  • What is the significance of the nominee’s body of work?
  • How has the candidate’s teaching or mentoring contributed to the lives of students and impacted the next generation of physicians and scientists? (may not be applicable in all cases)

The Alumni Awards Committee reviews the BSD faculty candidates who qualify for the Gold Key Award and determines up to three recipients each year.