Alumni Club Awards and Past Honorees

The Michigan Ross alumni club awards are designed to recognize and reward exceptional clubs based on a variety of criteria. All clubs that complete the Annual Report are eligible to win our three club awards offered annually. Club Annual Reports are used by the Alumni Board of Governors to select the recipient of the Domestic and International Clubs of the Year Award and the Wolverine Spirit Award. 

In a tradition begun by the Michigan Ross Alumni Board of Governors in 2017, the Domestic and International Club of the Year winners are recognized with one of two “Gulo Gulo” trophies, designed by the same sculptor as the wolverine in front of Michigan Stadium and hand forged out of bronze.  

The Domestic Club of the Year will compete to win a Gulo Gulo known as “Bo.” When Bo was forged, some soil from Ann Arbor was added to the bronze – representing how it is important not to forget our roots. As a proud state university, a bit of Michigan terra firma should keep us grounded!

The International Club of the Year will compete to win a Gulo Gulo known as “Flo.” When Flo was forged, the sculptor utilized some Detroit River water, a river that, if one had the time, inclination, and sense of adventure, could lead to all seven continents via boat.  Flo celebrates our international clubs that bring the Michigan Ross message to the world.

The Wolverine Spirit Award is given to the Ross Alumni Club which has shown a strong commitment to leadership, recruitment of new members, and outreach to students and has demonstrated enthusiasm and passion through events that engage the Ross Community.

You can read more about the Alumni Club Gulo Gulo trophies’ history here.

Domestic Alumni Club
of the Year Award

2022: Ann Arbor & Southeast Michigan 2022: Chicago

Past Honorees:

  • 2021: Chicago & San Francisco
  • 2020: Ann Arbor & Southeast Michigan
  • 2019: New York
  • 2018: Chicago
  • 2016: Ann Arbor & Southeast Michigan
  • 2015: Washington, D.C.
  • 2014: Washington, D.C.
  • 2013: Southeast Michigan
  • 2012: Chicago
  • 2011: Washington, D.C.
  • 2010: San Francisco
  • 2009: Southeast Michigan
  • 2008: New York
  • 2007: Chicago

Domestic Alumni Club of the Year Award recipients have demonstrated:

  • Annual membership growth and/or participation in club events.
  • Support and commitment to student outreach and recruiting by collaborating with the Office of Admissions.
  • Best overall club programming by exceeding the number of program events encouraged by school and by hosting a variety of events that engage a spectrum of alumni and interests.
  • Enthusiasm to maintain club activity by future goals and events planned for the following year.
  • Engagement with corporate partners (hosting events at corporate venues, working with partners to provide event speakers or panels, etc.).

International Alumni Club
of the Year Award

2022: Japan  

Past Honorees:

  • 2021: Japan
  • 2020: Japan
  • 2019: Peru
  • 2018: Japan
  • 2016: Japan
  • 2015: India
  • 2014: Japan
  • 2013: Taiwan
  • 2012: Brazil
  • 2011: Japan
  • 2010: India
  • 2009: India

International Alumni Club of the Year Award recipients have demonstrated:

  • An established leadership team committed to serving their communities and the alumni in those regions.
  • Annual membership growth and/or participation in club events.
  • Support and commitment to student outreach and recruiting by collaborating with the Office of Admissions.
  • A variety of club programming by hosting events that engage the spectrum of alumni and their interests.
  • Enthusiasm to maintain club activity by future goals and events planned for the following year.

Wolverine Spirit
Award

2022: New York 2022: Women in Business Alumni Assoc.

Past Honorees:

  • 2021: Denver
  • 2020: Dallas & San Francisco 
  • 2019: Kansas City
  • 2018: New York
  • 2016: Denver
  • 2015: Boston
  • 2014: Twin Cities & Peru
  • 2013: San Francisco
  • 2012: Black Business Alumni Assoc.
  • 2011: Twin Cities
  • 2010: Seattle
  • 2009: Seattle
  • 2008: San Francisco
  • 2007: Washington, D.C.

Wolverine Spirit Award recipients have demonstrated:

  • Effort in revitalizing or initiating a Ross Alumni Club.
  • Mirrored characteristics of a Michigan Wolverine with its tenacious energy, school spirit, and desire to make a difference.
  • Strong alumni participation.
  • The best use of resources (seed money, templates and guidance) provided by the School.
  • The most aggression in recruiting alumni participation via events.
  • The most success in re-vitalizing or re-building a club’s leadership team.
  • Enthusiasm to maintain club activity by future goals and events planned for the following year.