The College of Arts & Science Alumni Achievement Award is presented each fall during Alumni & Families Weekend to a respected and distinguished graduate of the College (or any of its predecessor academic units) who has demonstrated extraordinary achievement and/or service in professional, vocational, social, or cultural endeavors and who deserves acknowledgment as embodying the spirit of distinction that brings pride to the University.
CAS Alumni Achievement Award
2023 Award Recipient
Roger Rosenblatt (ARTS ’62)
Roger Rosenblatt (ARTS ’62), whose work has been published in 14 languages, is the author of 5 New York Times Notable Books of the Year; 4 Times bestsellers, including the memoirs Making Toast and Kayak Morning; and 7 off-Broadway plays, the most recent of which was "Lives in the Basement, Does Nothing," a one-person musical performed at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor about the writing life, in which Roger sang and played jazz piano. Among his honors are 2 George Polk Awards, the Peabody, and an Emmy for his essays at TIME magazine and on PBS; the Briggs-Copeland appointment in the teaching of writing at Harvard; a Fulbright to Ireland, where he played on the Irish International Basketball Team; seven honorary doctorates; the Kenyon Review Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement; and most recently a Guggenheim Fellowship, on which he finished his latest book, Wounds and Other Blessings.
Past 10 Award Recipients
2022: Eunice S. Reddick (ARTS ’73)
Diplomat and former U.S. ambassador
2021: Edward Lee (CAS ’95)
Chef and restaurateur, 2019 James Beard Winner
2020: Roger Ross Williams (WSC ’87)
Director, writer, and producer, Academy Award Winner
2019: Tom Kirdahy (WSC ’85, LAW ’88)
Tony and Olivier Award-winning producer
2018: Carole Carmichael (ARTS ’72)
MLK Scholar, a writer, and journalist for the Seattle Times
2018: Christopher “Tripp” Zanetis (CAS ’03)*
Lawyer, NYFD firefighter, NY Air National Guard helicopter pilot
2017: Sara Shepard (CAS ’99)
Author known for Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game series
2016: Robert Kamen (ARTS ’69)
Screenwriter known for The Karate Kid (series), The Fifth Element Transporter (series), Taken (series), The Punisher, Lethal Weapon, Kiss of the Dragon, and Gladiator
2015: Mark Knoller (ARTS ’73)
Award-winning White House Correspondent for CBS News
2014: Stanley A. Plotkin (ARTS ’52)
American physician, developed a vaccine against rubella virus
2013: Richard J. Davidson (ARTS ’72)
Professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, founder and chair of the Center for Healthy Minds
*Deceased
Prior Award Recipients
Celebrate Roger
Join us on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Arts & Science Alumni Brunch during Alumni & Families Weekend for the presentation of Roger's award.
Share Your Nominations
Nominations will be accepted on a rolling basis. Submit your nominations today!