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

The 1884 Cannibalism-at-Sea Case That Still Has Harvard Talking

The Queen v. Dudley and Stephens changed the course of legal history. Here’s why it’s been fodder for countless classroom debates.

Long-discussed reorganization includes layoffs and the end of the Dudley Community.

A new book explores the Harvard-trained architect’s vision and impact, from Ground Zero to the Smithsonian.

Explore More From Current Issue

Three young women posed side by side against red background.

The 2026-2027 Ledecky and Summer Undergraduate Fellows

University Hall with steps and the John Harvard statue, surrounded by trees and a grassy lawn.

Long-discussed reorganization includes layoffs and the end of the Dudley Community.

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a white suit, seated in a bright, modern room.

The Harvard graduate’s roundtable talk show touches on hot button issues from religion to sex.