NYU Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize respected and distinguished graduates whose personal achievement and/or service in professional, vocational, social, or cultural endeavors brings pride to the University.

Nominate Learn more below

Award Categories

These four awards are presented annually to alumni who embody the spirit and distinction that defines NYU.

Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service

Presented to a respected and distinguished public figure of recognized stature or identity who has clearly demonstrated a record of outstanding public service in their professional, vocational, social, and cultural endeavors, and who, by receiving this award, brings honor to the University.

Nominate

Distinguished Alumni Award

Presented to a respected and distinguished graduate of any school, college, or division of NYU who has demonstrated extraordinary achievement and/or service in their professional, vocational, social, and cultural endeavors, and who deserves acknowledgement as embodying the spirit of distinction that brings pride to the University.

Nominate

Distinguished Recent Alumni Award

The Distinguished Recent Alumni award is presented to an outstanding graduate of any school, college, or division of NYU who graduated in the past 10 years. This alumnus/a has demonstrated sustained excellence in their professional, vocational, social, and cultural endeavors, and who deserves acknowledgement as embodying the spirit of distinction that brings pride to the University.

Nominate

President's Alumni Achievement Award

From time to time, the President of the University bestows upon an outstanding alumnus/a the President's Alumni Achievement Award in recognition of exemplary accomplishment in the professional sector, as well as for unwavering dedication and commitment to bettering the life of the University community.

When this award is presented, it is given during the NYU Alumni Association's Annual Meeting, which is held at the end of each academic year.

Nominate

Current Honorees

These honorees exemplify NYU's spirit through their contributions to their communities and around the world.

  • Headshot of April Naturale

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service

    April Naturale [she/her]

    SSSW ’09

    Traumatic Stress Specialist

    Dr. April Naturale [she/her] is a traumatic stress specialist focused on behavioral health preparedness and response to disasters, terrorism, and incidents of mass violence. She has provided disaster response training and consultation throughout the United States and internationally for over 25 years.

    Meet April

  • Headshot of Robin Arzón

    Distinguished Alumni Award

    Robin Arzón [she/her]

    SPS ’01, GAL ’03

    Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor, Peloton

    Robin Arzón [she/her] is the Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton, a 27x marathon and ultra-marathon runner, three-time New York Times bestselling author, and founder of Swagger Society.

    Meet Robin

  • Headshot of Dr. Marsha Harris

    Distinguished Alumni Award

    Marsha Harris [she/her]

    CAS ’98, GSM ’02

    Colorectal Surgeon

    Dr. Marsha Harris, MD, FACS, FASCRS [she/her] is a distinguished colorectal surgeon, educator, and advocate whose career is defined by a rare trifecta of academic brilliance, historic athletic achievement, and clinical leadership. Based in New York City, she is board-certified and holds prestigious fellowships in the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

    Meet Marsha

  • Headshot of Mondiant Dogon

    Distinguished Recent Alumni Award

    Mondiant Dogon [he/him]

    STEINHARDT ’19

    Founder, Mondiant Initiative

    Dogon Nshimiyimana Mondiant [he/him] is a Congolese author, entrepreneur, and human rights advocate committed to expanding opportunity for displaced and underserved communities. He is the founder of the Mondiant Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing access to higher education, leadership development, and career pathways for refugees. He is also the founder and CEO of Cléza Group Ltd, a social enterprise focused on manufacturing hygiene products while creating sustainable economic impact.

    Meet Mondiant

  • Headshot of Jean Paul Laurent

    Distinguished Recent Alumni Award

    Jean Paul Laurent [he/him]

    DEN ’13

    Founder and CEO, Unspoken Smiles

    Jean Paul Laurent [he/him] is an award-winning social entrepreneur, public speaker, Presidential Leadership Scholar, innovator, and children's book author dedicated to advancing global oral health equity.

    Meet Jean Paul

Nominations

Submit a nomination for an Alumni now.
Please check the nomination form for details about the current submission deadlines. Learn how to compile a nomination by reviewing this sample nomination.

Submit a Nomination

Past Honorees (2014 - Present)

View past NYUAA award honorees from 2014 to today. Honorees prior from 2013 and earlier are available in a list below. To reset filters, scroll back to the default title (i.e., if using the Industry filter, navigate back to the word Industry at the top of the filter.)

Filter by Last Name
  • Ted Allen Headshot

    Ted Allen

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    GSAS ’90
    2015
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Martin Cohen Headshot

    Martin Cohen

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    STERN ’76
    2015
    Finance

  • Carmen Guillén Fariña Headshot

    Carmen Guillén Fariña

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    STEINHARDT ’65
    2015
    Education

  • Ruth Gruber Headshot

    Ruth Gruber

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    WSC ’30
    2015
    Journalism, Public Service

  • Cristi Marie Hegranes Headshot

    Cristi Marie Hegranes

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    GSAS ’05
    2015
    Journalism

  • John Sexton Headshot

    John Sexton

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service

    2016
    Education

  • Jonathan Mechanic Headshot

    Jonathan Mechanic

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    LAW ’77
    2016
    Real Estate

  • Jonathan Woodson Headshot

    Jonathan Woodson

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    GSM '79
    2016
    Public Service

  • Ruthie Ann Miles Headshot

    Ruthie Ann Miles

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    STEINHARDT ’07
    2016
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Martin Lipton Headshot

    Martin Lipton

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    LAW ’55
    2017
    Law

  • John Patrick Shanley Headshot

    John Patrick Shanley

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    STEINHARDT ’77, HON ’09
    2017
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Ali Stroker Headshot

    Ali Stroker

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    TSOA ’09
    2017
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Lee Morin Headshot

    Lee Morin

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    GSAS ’78, ’82, MED ’81
    2018
    STEM

  • Anthony Foxx Headshot

    Anthony Foxx

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    LAW ’96
    2018
    Public Service

  • George S. Barrett Headshot

    George S. Barrett

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    STERN ’88
    2018
    Healthcare

  • Billy Rosa Headshot

    Billy Rosa

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    TSOA ’04, MEYERS ’09
    2018
    Healthcare

  • Lindsey Ferrentino Headshot

    Lindsey Ferrentino

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    TSOA ’09
    2018
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Hakeem Jeffries Headshot

    Hakeem Jeffries

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    LAW '97
    2019
    Public Service

  • Neil Garg Headshot

    Neil Garg

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    CAS ’00
    2019
    STEM

  • Emanuel Azenberg Headshot

    Emanuel Azenberg

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    ARTS ’55
    2019
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Ian Axel and Chad King Headshot

    Chad King

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    STEINHARDT ’07
    2019
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Ian Axel and Chad King headshot

    Ian Axel

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    STEINHARDT ’07
    2019
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Erin Schrode Headshot

    Erin Schrode

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    CAS ’13
    2019
    Public Service

  • Chris Harrison Headshot

    Chris Harrison

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    CAS ’05, CIMS ’06
    2014
    STEM, Education

  • Winston W. Ma Headshot

    Winston W. Ma

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    LAW ’98
    2014
    Finance

  • Rachel A. Robinson Headshot

    Rachel A. Robinson

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    MEYERS ’61, HON ’96
    2014
    Non-Profit

  • Edith S. Windsor Headshot

    Edith S. Windsor

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    CIMS ’57
    2014
    Public Service

  • Zachary Carter Headshot

    Zachary Carter

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    LAW ’75
    2020/2021
    Public Service

  • André De Shields Headshot

    André De Shields

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    GAL ’91
    2020/2021
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Nick Grassi Headshot

    Nick Grassi

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    GLS ’12
    2020/2021
    Finance

  • Nily Rozic Headshot

    Nily Rozic

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    CAS ’07
    2020/2021
    Public Service

  • Christy Turlington Burns Headshot

    Christy Turlington Burns

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    GAL '99
    2023
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Eduardo D. Rodriguez Headshot

    Eduardo D. Rodriguez

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    DEN '92
    2023
    Healthcare

  • Quemuel Arroyo Headshot

    Quemuel Arroyo

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    CAS '12, WAG '20
    2023
    Public Service

  • Jennifer Curry Headshot

    Jennifer Curry

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    WAG '07, STEINHARDT '14
    2023
    Non-Profit

  • Rabbi Alvin Kass Headshot

    Rabbi Alvin Kass

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    STEINHARDT '76
    2023
    Public Service

  • William R. Berkley Headshot

    William R. Berkley

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    STERN '66
    2024
    Finance

  • Don Katz Headshot

    Don Katz

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    WSC '74
    2024
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Keia Clarke Headshot

    Keia Clarke

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    SPS '06
    2024
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Melissa T. Ojemeni Headshot

    Melissa Ojemeni

    Distinguished Young Alumni Award
    MEYERS '18
    2024
    Healthcare

  • Dr. April Naturale Headshot

    Dr. April Naturale

    Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
    SSSW '09
    2026
    Public Service

  • Robin Arzón Headshot

    Robin Arzón

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    SPS '01, GAL '03
    2026
    Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

  • Dr. Marsha Harris Headshot

    Dr. Marsha Harris

    Distinguished Alumni Award
    CAS '98, GSM '02
    2026
    Healthcare

  • Mondiant Dogon Headshot

    Mondiant Dogon

    Distinguished Recent Alumni Award
    STEINHARDT '19
    2026
    Non-Profit

  • Jean Paul Laurent Headshot

    Jean Paul Laurent

    Distinguished Recent Alumni Award
    DEN '13
    2026
    Non-Profit

results found

Past Honorees (1987 - 2013)

View recipients of Distinguished Alumni Awards prior to 2013. To reset filters, scroll back to the default title (i.e., if using the School filter, navigate back to the word "Filter by school" at the top of the filter.)

Name School Award Year Award
Charlotte K. Frank STEINHARDT ’00 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award
Jane L. Rosenthal GAL ’77 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award
Lauren A. Burke LAW ’09 2013 Distinguished Young Alumni Award
The Honorable Raymond J. Lohier LAW ’91 2013 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Daniel Barry GSAS ’83 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award
Vasiliki Karlis DEN ’92 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award
Jacqueline Murekatete CAS ’07 2012 Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Alan Greenspan STERN ’48, ’77, GSAS ’50 2012 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Matthew Sapolin WSC ’93, WAG ’96 2012 President’s Alumni Achievement Award
Jill Claster WSC ’52, GSAS’54 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award
Lonnie R. Bristow MED ’57 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award
Melissa Kushner WAG ’06 2011 Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Kenneth R. Feinberg LAW ’70 2011 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Abraham H. Foxman LAW '65 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award
Maria Bartiromo WSC '89 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award
Kelly Kennedy Mack STERN ’02 2009 Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika STEINHARDT ’80 2009 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Charles Simic WSC '67 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award
Patti Scialfa GAL ’75 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award
Richard Cash MED ’66 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award
Jonathan Lippman WSC ’65, LAW ’68 2008 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Allen S. Keller MED '88 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award
Eduardo J. Martí WSC ’64, '66, GSAS ’71 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award
Kathleen A. Corbet STERN '89 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award
Christopher H. Shays STERN ’74, WAG ’78 2007 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Carole Bayer Sager STEINHARDT ’65 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award
Harry T. Stewart, Jr. TANDON ’63 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award
Lee Archer, Jr. GSAS '56 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award
Roscoe C. Brown, Jr STEINHARDT ’49, ’51 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award
The Honorable Carol Bellamy LAW ’68 2006 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Peter David Lax WSC ’47, CIMS ’49 2006 President’s Alumni Achievement Award
Abraham Lackman WSC ’71 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award
Marvin Leffler STERN ’42, ’51 2005, 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award
Ray Suarez WSC ’78 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Dorothy I. Height STEINHARDT ’33, ’35, HON ’75 2005 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Ismail Merchant STERN ’60 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award
Lee M.E. Morin GSAS ’78, ’82, MED ’81 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award
The Honorable Dennis Jacobs GSAS ’65, LAW ’73 2004 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Calvin Ramsey STERN ’59 2004 President’s Alumni Achievement Award
Eric Kandel MED ’56 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award
Philip Coltoff SSSW ’64 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award
Stanley Kasten WSC '73 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award
Raymond W. Kelly LAW ’74 2003 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Alec Baldwin TSOA ’94 2002 Distinguished Alumni Award
Joyce Frances Brown STEINHARDT ’71, ’80 2002 Distinguished Alumni Award
Ruth Gruber WSC ’30 2002 Distinguished Alumni Award
Charles B. Rangel STERN ’57 2002 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Jerome M. Hauer GAL ’75 2000 Distinguished Alumni Award
Martha Craven Nussbaum WSC ’69 2000 Distinguished Alumni Award
Betty Weinberg Ellerin WSC ’50, LAW ’52 2000, 2022 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Distinguished Alumni Award
Clive J. Davis WSC ’53 1999 Distinguished Alumni Award
Rita E. Hauser LAW ’59 1999 Distinguished Alumni Award
Robert S. Ledley DEN ’48 1999 Distinguished Alumni Award
Yale J. Kamisar ARTS ’50 1999 Distinguished Alumni Award
Louis J. Freeh LAW ’84 1999 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Raymond Lump STEINHARDT ’50 1999 President’s Alumni Achievement Award
Cynthia Ozick WSC ’49 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award
David S. Loeb STERN ’51 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award
Peter Westbrook STERN ’75 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award
Philippe de Montebello GSAS ’76 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award
Rudolph W. Giuliani LAW ’68 1998 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Dinshaw J. Patel GSAS ’68 1997 Distinguished Alumni Award
Henry A. Grunwald WSC ’44 1997 Distinguished Alumni Award
Jerry L. Cohen STERN ’53, ’59 1997 Distinguished Alumni Award
Louis K. Salkind GSAS ’90 1997 Distinguished Alumni Award
Scott Elliott GAL ’93 1997 Distinguished Alumni Award
Norman Goodman ARTS ’47, LAW ’50 1997 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Ang Lee TSOA ’84 1996 Distinguished Alumni Award
Judy Blume STEINHARDT ’61 1996 Distinguished Alumni Award
Michael A. Waldman LAW ’87 1996 Distinguished Alumni Award
Max M. Kampelman ARTS ’40, LAW ’45 1996 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Cathy E. Minehan STERN '77 1995 Distinguished Alumni Award
Marcia Gay Harden TSOA '88 1995 Distinguished Alumni Award
Sheila G. Lukins STEINHARDT ’70 1995 Distinguished Alumni Award
Thomas E. Sanders STERN '60 1995 Distinguished Alumni Award
Fernando J. Ferrer ARTS ’72 1995 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Betty Comden STEINHARDT ’37 1994 Distinguished Alumni Award
Harriet Skye GAL ’93 1994 Distinguished Alumni Award
John Alexander Simpson GSAS ’42, ’43 1994 Distinguished Alumni Award
Mark H. Brooks STERN '92 1994 Distinguished Alumni Award
Melvyn I. Weiss LAW ’59 1994 Distinguished Alumni Award
Tabitha Soren WSC '89 1994 Distinguished Alumni Award
Yale Strom GAL ’84 1994 Distinguished Alumni Award
Lewis Rudin STERN ’49 1994 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Alan Menken ARTS '72 1993 Distinguished Alumni Award
LeRoy T. Walker STEINHARDT ’57 1993 Distinguished Alumni Award
Susan Cartsonis TSOA '84 1993 Distinguished Alumni Award
Tamar Schlick GSAS ’85, ’87 1993 Distinguished Alumni Award
Tony Kushner TSOA '84 1993 Distinguished Alumni Award
Judith Smith Kaye LAW ’62 1993 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Edward G. Kaufman DEN '43 1992 Distinguished Alumni Award
Ellen D. Baer STEINHARDT ’73, ’82 1992 Distinguished Alumni Award
Luis R. Cancel STEINHARDT '87 1992 Distinguished Alumni Award
Paul J. Tagliabue LAW '65 1992 Distinguished Alumni Award
Susan Seidelman TSOA '76 1992 Distinguished Alumni Award
John Brademas N/A 1992 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Carl P. Carlucci WAG ’86 1991 Distinguished Alumni Award
Catherine Cowell STEINHARDT ’83 1991 Distinguished Alumni Award
George C. Wolfe TSOA ’84 1991 Distinguished Alumni Award
Henry Kaufman ARTS ’48, STERN '58 1991 Distinguished Alumni Award
Racquel Z. LeGeros GSAS ’57, ’67 1991 Distinguished Alumni Award
Walter F. Loeb WSC ’49 1991 Distinguished Alumni Award
Laura Novoa de Anriquez LAW ’59 1991 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Donald Forman STERN ’48, LAW ’56 1990 Distinguished Alumni Award
Dorothy Strickland STEINHARDT ’58, ’71 1990 Distinguished Alumni Award
Julie Kazimiroff DEN ’80, GSAS ’87 1990 Distinguished Alumni Award
Nancy Uscher STEINHARDT ’80 1990 Distinguished Alumni Award
Wayne Shorter STEINHARDT ’56 1990 Distinguished Alumni Award
Preston Robert Tisch N/A 1990 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Robert B. McKay, Posthumous N/A 1990 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Avram Robert Westin ARTS ’49 1989 Distinguished Alumni Award
Pamela J. Maraldo STEINHARDT ’75 ’86 1989 Distinguished Alumni Award
J. William Middendorf II STERN ’54 1989 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Alan Greenspan STERN ’48, ’77, GSAS ’50 1988 Distinguished Alumni Award
Frances Berko STEINHARDT ’46 1988 Distinguished Alumni Award
Spike Lee TSOA ’82 1988 Distinguished Alumni Award
Edward I. Koch LAW ’48 1988 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service
Milton Babbitt WSC ’35 1987 Distinguished Alumni Award
Oliver Stone TSOA ’71 1987 Distinguished Alumni Award
Robert M. Hayes LAW ’77 1987 Distinguished Alumni Award
Robert Packwood LAW ’57 1987 Distinguished Alumni Award
John S. R. Shad LAW ’59 1987 Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service

results found