One of the 25 "achievers" will be named as the overall recipient of the Alumni Medal at a gala breakfast on September 5.

Steven McArthur, Liesl Tesch MP, and Dr Ruth Lopert have been named as achievers for the Alumni Medal for Professional Excellence - the highest honour of the University of Newcastle's Alumni Awards.

All three have been recognised for their excellence in leadership, knowledge and professional practice in their respective fields.

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO, said the quality of the 120 nominations received for this year's awards was "exceptional".

"The university is built on the success of our alumni and it's a great triumph to see our people demonstrate exceptional leadership across the globe," he said.

"These awards celebrate the limitless innovation of our alumni and what they have achieved so far in their respective careers."

Architect Gavin Langley, Rosemarie Milsom - the director of Newcastle Writers Festival, and the director of the National Gallery of Australia, Nick Mitzevich, have been nominated for the Newton-John Award for innovation and creativity.

Steven McArthur is the scientific director at Genea, whose innovations have contributed to the doubling of successful IVF procedures since the 1990s.

Mr McArthur said the practical and hands-on nature of the science program at the University equipped him well to participate and lead in the treatment of fertility globally.

Proud Gamilaroi man Luke Pearson is one of three named as an Indigenous Alumni Award achiever.

He is a teacher, public speaker, trainer and founder of @IndigenousX - which uses social platforms to renegotiate the representation of Indigenous voices in the media.

"University taught me the importance of standing up and speaking the truth."