It’s a 96-year tradition where Traverse Connect shines a spotlight of warmth and gratitude on people who’ve made the region a better place to live.

It’s time to say thank you again, as nominations are being accepted now for the 2025 Distinguished Service Award. It’s among the region’s most-enduring civic honors, awarded annually since 1929 to recognize a local resident for his or her efforts to improve the lives of people living and working in the Grand Traverse area.

The DSA honors business leaders, public servants, patrons of area arts, naturalists, and those from a host of other backgrounds who’ve worked and given tirelessly to improve the region. 

Nominees must be residents of Traverse Connect’s five-county service area. They are not required to be Traverse Connect investors, and anyone is invited to submit nominations. Contributions other than purely monetary donations to the cultural, economic, and social betterment of the area are major considerations for the award, along with character and ethics.

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, January 30 at 5 p.m.. The 2025 Distinguished Service Award will be announced in March and the traditional Distinguished Service Award Luncheon will be held in May.