President Scott S. Cowen established the Tulane University President’s Medal in 1999. The medal is awarded at the sole discretion of the president to individuals who have distinguished themselves by their actions and who have contributed in some manner to the well-being of Tulane University or the city of New Orleans. Unlike the honorary degree, this award may commemorate deeds other than academic achievement. Designed by Professor Emeritus Franklin Adams, the front of the medal features a sculpted TU symbol. This university emblem was first used as an architectural symbol on the exterior of two historic buildings on the uptown campus, Tilton Hall and Robert C. Cudd Hall.
Medal Recipients
2014
Drew Brees
New Orleans Saints Quarterback
Michael White
Jazz Artist and Educator
2012
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
Musician and Founder of Horns for Schools
Judith Rodin
Rockefeller Foundation President
Wendell Pierce
Treme Star
2011
Wynton Marsalis
Jazz Artist
2010
Anderson Cooper
CNN Anchor and Author
Rita Benson LeBlanc*
Part Owner and Executive Vice President of the New Orleans Saints
Gregg Williams*
Defensive Coordinator of the New Orleans Saints
Jonathan Vilma*
Team Captain of the New Orleans Saints and Pro Bowl Linebacker
2009
Ellen DeGeneres
Host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2008
James Carville
National Political Commentator
Mary Matalin
National Political Commentator
His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
Amir of the State of Qatar
2006
Brian Williams
Managing Editor and Anchor of the NBC Nightly News
2004
John Breaux
United States Senator
2002
Jacques Chirac
President of France
Karlem “Ducky” Riess
Professor and Marshal Emeritus
William Safire
New York Times Columnist
2001
Corinne Lindy Claiborne Boggs
Former U.S. Representative from Louisiana and Ambassador to the Vatican
Marian Wright Edelman
President, Children’s Defense Fund
2000
Walter Isaacson
Editorial Director, Time Magazine
1999
Cokie Roberts
ABC Co-Anchor, This Week with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts
* On behalf of the New Orleans Saints organization