Centennial Medalists

Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences confers the Centennial Medals.

Each June, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Centennial Medal, first awarded in 1989 on the occasion of the school’s hundredth anniversary, honors alumni who have made contributions to society that emerged from their graduate study at Harvard. This year’s honorands are, from left: president emeritus Neil L. Rudenstine, Ph.D. ’64, LL.D. ’02, “Harvard’s good shepherd”; Sarah Blaffer Hrdy ’68, Ph.D. ’75, exploder of “anthropological myths”; Frederick Brooks, Ph.D. ’56, a pioneering engineer of computer innovation; and “visionary” economist Jeffrey Sachs ’76, Ph.D. ’80, JF ’81. For the full citations, see www.harvardmagazine.com/go/centennial_medalists.

Most popular

An animal’s journey from grief to love shows how much humans need each other, too.

Meet Harvard’s 2026 Student Commencement Speakers

Two undergraduates and a Ph.D. candidate will address the graduating class on May 28.

Ronny Chieng Tells Harvard to ‘Destroy AI’ as Graduates Cheer

The comedian and The Daily Show host gave the keynote address for Class Day 2026.

Explore More From Current Issue

Singer performing on stage with a guitar, wearing a hat, and surrounded by band instruments.

Singer Elisa Smith’s whiskey-soaked voice and subversive feminism is part of the genre’s urban shift.

Two colorful octopuses swim among vibrant coral and sea life in a lively underwater scene.

New Harvard research finds octopuses go beyond sight and touch to find mates.

Aerial view of modern high-rise buildings surrounded by greenery and city skyline.

In a sea of red brick, the Science Center and Peabody Terrace make their mark.