GMercyU Alumni Lightkeepers Award

Honoring recent GMercyU alumni who embody what it means to be Distinctive Mercy Graduates

GMercyU is proud to celebrate GMercyU graduates who are our lightkeepers and givers, as Catherine McAuley intended.
Much like the Sisters of Mercy, these outstanding alumni help illuminate and meet the next great need of society, carrying forward the Mercy mission, and making a lasting difference in the lives of others.

We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.

—Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy


2027 Lightkeepers Award Eligibility

  • Must be a 2010-2026 graduate of Gwynedd Mercy University, regardless of age
  • Must be willing to be included in various alumni and University publications, marketing and promotional materials

Selection Criteria

Nominees are scored on the following four criteria by the selection committee. Please ensure your nomination helps the selection committee understand the nominee’s contributions in these areas. 

  1. Making a vital contribution to their professional career, field or community
  2. Overall story is compelling and of interest to the GMercyU community
  3. Upholding GMercyU’s mission and values
  4. Exemplifies the value of the GMercyU experience
    Examples: First-generation student; female; veteran; involved on campus in sports, clubs, or organizations; had an internship, conducted resources, and utilized resources or opportunities provided by their school or academic program; were involved and engaged in campus in either official or unofficial ways

Award Categories

  • Healthcare Heroes
  • B.E.S.T. Trailblazers (Business, Entrepreneurial, Science, and Technology Business)
  • Educational Difference Makers
  • Mercy Mission Keepers: Those living a life rooted in Catholic and Mercy Values

Nomination Tips

  • Self-nominations are accepted. 
  • The selection committee individually and thoroughly reviews each submission.
  • The number of submissions per nominee does not impact the selection committee's decision.
  • Nomination forms that include relevant and detailed information and examples of impact are helpful to the selection committee.
  • The selection committee will only review the submitted nomination materials. No additional research will be conducted on nominees.

Timeline

Applications open: December 2026

Applications close: January 31, 2027

2027 LightKeepers Awards notification: Honorees will be selected and notified in Spring 2027.  If you submitted a self-nomination or nominated a GMercyU graduate who was not chosen and did not receive a notification by March 1, then unfortunately, they were not selected for this year's program.

Awardee Interviews: March – April 2027

2027 Lightkeepers publicly announced: Spring 2027, and featured in the Spring 2027 TODAY Magazine