The Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award was established in 2006 during the school’s 40th Anniversary to recognize the tremendous service of Robert E. Christian, the first Head of School for HKIS. The award is presented annually to the Alumnus/Alumna making a significant contribution to the HKIS community, their local community or the broader community of which they are a part of and bettering the lives of those around them while embodying the HKIS mission and our Student Learning Results.
One of the most influential moments for me was taken from Humanities in Action with Mr. Kersen. I learned that we have a fundamentally unsustainable relationship with the planet, and I decided in that moment to dedicate my career to advancing climate solutions.
Amar Bhardwaj '16, Bob Christian Alum of the Year Award Recipient 2026
1. Any member of the HKIS community can make nominate an alum they feel deserving of this recognition and self nominations are welcome.
2. Any student who attended HKIS for more than one semester is considered an alum and is eligible to be nominated for the Bob Christian Award.
3. Complete the nomination form below and all submissions must be submitted by April 15, 2026.
Thank you for your continuous support and for giving back to HKIS!
Each school year, the Award’s Selection Committee meets to review in detail the merits of a number of outstanding nominees. We thank those alums and community members who have nominated candidates in the past. The high caliber of candidates has been truly outstanding making the selection process very difficult.
The selection criteria used is that candidates:
- Exemplify our Mission and Student Learning Results.
- Make a significant contribution to the HKIS community, local community or the broader community of which they are a part of and bettering the lives of those around them.
Our Mission
Dedicating our minds to inquiry, our hearts to compassion, and our lives to service and global understanding.
An American-style education, grounded in the Christian faith, and respecting the spiritual lives of all.
Student Learning Results
| Academic Excellence | Individuals who have demonstrated outstanding undergraduate/post graduate achievement or received an honorary degree |
| Spirituality | Individuals who have gone to great lengths to develop their own spiritual identity such as dedicating their lives to ministry, protecting the faith, assisting the sick, and helping the poor |
| Character Development | Individuals who have demonstrated the courage to stand up for what is right |
| Self-Motivated Learning | Individuals who have applied various learning strategies or motivational techniques to life |
| Contributing to Society | Individuals who regularly volunteer his/her time to the community or to charitable organizations |
| Chinese Culture | Individuals who have a true appreciation for Chinese culture, for example, mastering his/her Chinese language skills or studying Chinese Medicine |