AYA awards Yale Medal to five alumni for outstanding service

Five individuals who have shown outstanding service to the university will receive the highest award presented by the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA): the Yale Medal. This year’s recipients are Anne Boucher '80; Kenneth D. Inadomi '76; Charles B. Johnson '54; Randolph M. Nelson '85; and L‎inus Travers '58, '59 M.A.T.

The following are the AYA citations for this year’s recipients, who will be honored at a special dinner in November.Inaugurated in 1952, the Yale Medal recognizes and honors outstanding individual service to the university. Since its inception, the Yale Medal has been presented to 313 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.

Anne Boucher ’80 demonstrates a dedication to Yale that has drawn in generations of alumni and current students to connect with each other and with the university. A tireless advocate for Yale women’s crew, her galvanizing and inspiring efforts have contributed significantly to the program’s sustained level of excellence. Channeling her time as captain of the team, Boucher has employed spirit, drive, determination, and teamwork to spearhead crew reunions, career networking, and alumni teams for regattas. She was an active officer of the Yale Crew Association for more than a decade, and her inclusive approach facilitated successful fundraising for the Gilder Boathouse and the Friends of Yale Women’s Crew Head Coach endowment. Boucher expanded her engagement through early participation in YaleWomen, including as a volunteer supporting its inaugural global conference, “Vision, Values, Voice,” in Washington, D.C., in 2013. She has continued to energize fellow alumnae by serving on YaleWomen’s Governing Council since 2014, leading the Chapters Committee and facilitating activities of the Connecticut chapter.

Kenneth D. Inadomi ’76

is an exemplary leader whose visionary and impact-driven approach has inspired scores of alumni to engage with Yale in new ways. Most significantly, in 2011 Inadomifounded the Yale Alumni Nonprofit Alliance (YANA), which unifies and leverages the power of Yale’s nonprofit network for the greater social good. Based in New York, the alliance has chapters in several other regions, including New England, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., making YANA a major resource supporting students and alumni involved in or seeking involvement in social impact. Inadomiis also co-chair of the Yale Alumni Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion, which is developing strategies for enhancing alumni initiatives for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Yale community worldwide. In addition, he was instrumental in the successful launch of Yale Alumni College, a lifelong learning initiative with several locations. Other key roles have included Association of Yale Alumni Board of Governors, Reunion Gift Committees, and Yale Alumni Fund Class Agent.

Charles B. Johnson ’54

is an active and loyal alumnus whose extraordinary devotion has transformed the physical campus, shaped academic programs in international relations, enhanced athletic experiences, and inspired class engagement. With a commitment to expanding access to Yale College, his landmark gift in 2013 enabled the construction of two new residential colleges, a momentous milestone in the university’s history. In establishing the Johnson Center for the Study of American Diplomacy in 2011 as part of Yale’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, the alumnus provided a home both for the Kissinger Archives as well as for advanced teaching and scholarship in diplomatic history. The center’s work is complemented by his support of the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy, which promotes effective leadership in a complex and globalized world. Johnson has also supported renovations of the Yale Bowl and the creation of Yale’s first all-season outdoor athletics field while serving many years on his Class Council and Reunion Gift Committees.

Randolph M. Nelson ’85

is endlessly generous in sharing his time, talents and treasure with Yale, as especially evidenced by his continuous, extensive service as a fundraiser-volunteer. He believes that alumni support should be as broad as it is deep. Through Nelson’s leadership, the Class of 1985 routinely leads other co-ed classes in participation and dollars, and he has been thrice recognized with the Yale Alumni Fund (YAF) Chairman’s Award. During his four years of service as the vice-chair and chair of the YAF from 2010 to 2014, Nelson was instrumental in building leadership giving while bolstering overall donors through seasonal participation drives. He also mentors younger alumni, including graduating seniors, to establish a fresh generation of new volunteers. The alumnus’ Yale service also includes co-chairing gift committees for five 1985 reunions and active participation on the Yale Tomorrow Campaign Committee. He is currently chair of both the Development Council and the Nathan Hale Associates Leaders Circle while volunteering on the Parents Leadership Council.

L‎inus Travers ’58, ’59 M.A.T.

 exhibits unbounded enthusiasm and devotion for creating meaningful experiences that connect fellow Yale alumni with each other. With volunteer engagements spanning six decades, he is thoughtful about bridging generations throughout the Boston area and the Yale singing community. As founder and ongoing producer of annual spring choral weekends for 20 years, Travers has motivated hundreds of singers from the Yale Glee Club, Whiffenpoofs, Duke’s Men, Yale Alumni Chorus, and other groups to share their common singing tradition, keeping Yale present in the lives of its musical alumni. Known for his exceptional wit and intellect, his invaluable insights and humility, Travers produces outstanding newsletters and memorable meetings that advance transformational goals, and he has provided sage counsel to countless individuals. In addition to decades of YaleBoston board service, as its president and long-time Alumni Schools Committee director, Travers has served the Association of Yale Alumni on its Board of Governors and the Class of 1958 as council member and four-time reunion chair.