Association of Yale Alumni Names Yale Medalists

Five Yale University alumni have been selected by the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA) to receive the Yale Medal in 2009.

This year’s recipients are Stephen Adams ‘59, Frances Beinecke ‘71, ‘74 MFS, Charles D. Ellis ‘59, Justice Carlos R. Moreno ‘70, and Eve Hart Rice ‘73.

Inaugurated in 1952, the Yale Medal is the highest award presented by the Association of Yale Alumni and is conferred solely to recognize and honor outstanding individual service to the University. Since its inception, the Yale Medal has been presented to 272 individuals, all of whom not only showed extraordinary devotion to the ideals of the University, but also were conspicuous in demonstrating their support of Yale through extensive, exemplary service on behalf of Yale as a whole or one of its many schools, institutes, or programs.

The AYA citations honoring the Yale Medalists follow:

Stephen Adams, long a loyal and active volunteer, has demonstrated enduring devotion and uncommon generosity to his alma mater. While his commitments extend well beyond his Yale College class to a broad range of initiatives throughout the university, it is his sense of vision and purpose that has transformed in particular the School of Music. Adams’ gift to that school — enabling all future generations of students to attend tuition-free — has redefined the role of music at Yale, and will in turn redefine arts education throughout the world. Adams serves on the Board of Visitors to the School of Music, the University Council and as a Sterling Fellow.

Frances Beinecke is the “quintessential example” of outstanding individual service to Yale. Since her graduation from Yale College and the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, she has provided Yale with inspired and transformational leadership. A former member of the Yale Corporation, the University’s governing board, she currently co-chairs the Leadership Council of the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and is a member of the School of Management’s Advisory Board. A dedicated conservationist, she chaired the University Council Committee on a Sustainable Yale and propelled Yale to the forefront in campus sustainability.

Justice Carlos R. Moreno has served Yale with distinction for close to four decades in many volunteer roles. Through his determination and dedication he revived the Yale Club of Southern California, fostering community and sustaining the Yale alumni family on the West Coast. He has served on the AYA Board of Governors, and for over 15 years he has co-chaired the Central Los Angeles Yale Alumni Schools Committee, which has become a national role model for minority recruitment. As mentor and counselor, he has shared his love for Yale with generations of Yale students, faculty and staff, inspiring in them a similar commitment to leadership and service to Yale.

Even among Yale’s extraordinary corps of alumni volunteers, a select few stand out because of their profound impact on the institution. Charles D. Ellis is such a volunteer. He has shared his gift of leadership with Yale in many broad, sustained and diverse ways, from his Yale College Class Council, to the School of Management, to the Yale Corporation and as chair of the university investment committee. His tireless efforts, wisdom and experience have inspired in countless others the motivation to give back to Yale through the “And for Yale” and “Yale Tomorrow” capital campaigns. He chaired the gift committee for both his 25th and 50th reunions and both set Yale and world records.  In particular, through his drive and vision, the Yale School of Management continues to rise in the ranks of America’s top business schools

Eve Hart Rice is unique in her ability to support and touch many different lives at Yale. Her devotion is exemplified by the roles she has undertaken – Sterling Fellow, University Council, vice chair of the Class of 1973 25th, 30th, and 35th reunion gift committees, Yale Tomorrow executive committee, Yale Club of Westchester Board member, trustee of Jonathan Edwards College, and 40th Anniversary of Coeducation Steering Committee member. In addition, she has supported and been involved with numerous activities throughout the university – the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, the Yale World Fellows Program, the Yale Asia Environment Fund, the Yale School of Architecture – the list of her engagements, leadership and dedication is an inspiration for all who would choose to become involved at Yale.