Centennial Medalists

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.

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: “singular scholar” of East Asian studies Ezra Vogel, Ph.D. ’58, Ford Research Professor of the social sciences at Harvard; “arts advocate” Earl Powell III, Ph.D. ’74, director of the National Gallery of Art; molecular biologist Susan Lindquist, Ph.D. ’77, of MIT and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (see “What Stress Reveals,” page 10); and “stellar astronomer” Frank Shu, Ph.D. ’68, now at UC, San Diego.

The full citations are available here.

Related topics

You might also like

Conan O’Brien Named Harvard’s 2026 Commencement Speaker

The comedian, host, and 1985 graduate will deliver remarks at the May 28 ceremony. 

How a Harvard Hockey Legend Became a Needlepoint Artist

Joe Bertagna’s retirement project recreates figures from Boston sports history.

Introductions: Mallika Monteiro

A conversation with a beer industry executive

Most popular

One of Harvard’s Oldest Structures Is Hiding Behind a Beer Garden

A crumbling wall in Harvard Square holds centuries of the city’s story, if you know how to read it.

Trump Administration Sues Harvard over Civil Rights

The March 20 suit seeks to rescind research grants that were restored in an earlier court ruling.

Inside Harvard’s Most Egalitarian School

The Extension School is open to everyone. Expect to work—hard.

Explore More From Current Issue

Older man in a green sweater holds a postcard in a warmly decorated office.

How a Harvard Hockey Legend Became a Needlepoint Artist

Joe Bertagna’s retirement project recreates figures from Boston sports history.

A woman in a black blazer holds a bottle of beer.

Introductions: Mallika Monteiro

A conversation with a beer industry executive

A diverse group of individuals standing on stage, wearing matching shirts and smiling.

How a Harvard and Lesley Group Broke Choir Singing Wide Open

Cambridge Common Voices draws on principles of universal design.