Wilbur Cross Medal Nominations Process

The Graduate School presents its highest award, the Wilbur Lucius Cross Medal, to our most outstanding alumni. Wilbur Lucius Cross (B.A. 1885, Ph.D. 1889) was an American literary critic, Sterling Professor of English, dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (1916-1930), and the 71st governor of Connecticut (1931-1939). The medal recognizes distinguished achievements in scholarship, teaching, academic administration, and public service. Each fall, medalists spend a day on campus; meeting faculty and students in their departments, presenting a lecture, and being honored by the university president and dean of the Graduate School.

Dean Cooley asks that each department make at least one nomination each year for the medals. Cross-disciplinary nominations are encouraged. Nominations are accepted through October 1 each year. Faculty members should work with their department chair, who should submit nominations on behalf of the department by filling out this webform. Each submission must include:

• a brief letter of nomination from a department chair
• the nominee’s curriculum vitae
• two or three substantive letters of support from scholars in the nominee’s field. These authors may be from outside Yale. 

In November, a committee including members of the Graduate School Alumni Association and faculty representatives from each of our divisions will select the medalists. 

Note that the selection committee does not consider current Yale faculty members and discourages nominations of Yale professors emeriti. Nominations remain active for three years. You can access a complete list of past medal recipients organized by department.

If you would like a list of Graduate School alumni in your department, or have any questions about the nominations process, please contact Debby Van Lenten, Associate Director of Engagement & Alumni Relations, at deborah.vanlenten@yale.edu or (203) 432-6520.