Nichols-Chancellor's Medal


Nichols-Chancellor's Medal
The Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal is awarded by Vanderbilt University to those persons who define the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. The Nichols Humanitarian Fund is a companion scholarship fund to the Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal. The Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal and Nichols Humanitarian Fund seek to make Vanderbilt students better members of their communities and society in general by supporting their humanitarian activities and bringing speakers to Vanderbilt who embody the best of humanity.
Sl | Name | Country | Flag | Year | Awarded For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
21 | David Brooks | United States | 2024 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
20 | Maria Ressa | Philippines | 2023 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
19 | Reid Hoffman | United States | 2022 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
18 | Anthony Fauci | United States | 2021 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
17 | Caroline Kennedy | United States | 2020 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
16 | Venus Williams | United States | 2019 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
15 | Amal Clooney | Lebanon | 2018 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
14 | Kens Burns | United States | 2017 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
13 | Soledad O’Brien | United States | 2016 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
12 | Walter Isaacson | United States | 2015 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
11 | Regina Benjamin | United States | 2014 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
10 | Toni Morrison | United States | 2013 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
9 | Tom Brokaw | United States | 2012 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
8 | Wangari Maathai | Kenya | 2011 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
7 | Khaled Hosseini | Afganistan | 2010 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
6 | Doris Kerns Goodwin | United States | 2009 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
5 | Bob Geldof | Ireland | 2008 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
4 | Muhammad Yunus | Bangladesh | 2007 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
3 | Laura Bush | United States | 2006 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
2 | Shirin Ebadi | Iran | 2005 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. | |
1 | Condoleezza Rice | United States | 2004 | for defining the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. |

Nichols-Chancellor's Medal Laureates (2030 ~ 2021)

David Brooks
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2024
David Brooks is a columnist for The New York Times and a contributor to The Atlantic. He is a commentator on “The PBS Newshour."
His forthcoming book “How To Know A Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen” will be published in October. His previous three books were “The Second Mountain,” “The Road to Character,” and “The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement,” all #1 New York Times bestsellers.
View More

Nichols-Chancellor's Medal Laureates (2020 ~ 2011)

Caroline Kennedy
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2020
Best-selling author, attorney and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, has dedicated her life to public and philanthropic service. Kennedy was the first woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to Japan when she was nominated by President Barack Obama in 2013. During her tenure, she helped realize the U.S. military’s return of nearly 10,000 acres on Okinawa to the Japanese government and played a pivotal role in President Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima. She was also an advocate for Japanese women in business and politics.

Venus Williams
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2019
With 7 Grand Slam titles, 5 Wimbledon championships and 4 Olympic gold medals, tennis legend Venus Williams is arguably one of the most accomplished and inspiring women in the history of sports.
Beginning her rise to the top at the age of 14, Williams quickly took the world of tennis by storm rising to the top-ranked position, breaking countless records, and winning numerous championships.

Amal Clooney
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2018
Amal Clooney is a British human rights lawyer practicing at Doughty Street Chambers in London, where she specializes in international law and human rights. She is also a Visiting Professor at Columbia Law School, where she teaches Human Rights. Her clients have ranged from political prisoners and ousted Heads of State to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the Republic of Armenia. She has appeared before the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the European Court of Human Rights and various courts in the United Kingdom and the United States.
View More

Kens Burns
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2017
Ken Burns has been making films for almost forty years. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981,Burns has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made. A December 2002 poll conducted by Real Screen Magazine listed The Civil War as second only to Robert Flaherty’s Nanook of theNorth as the “most influential documentary of all time,” and named Ken Burns and Robert Flaherty as the “most influential documentary makers” of all time.

Soledad O’Brien
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2016
Leading media journalist, Soledad O’Brien has established herself as one of the most recognized names in broadcasting, bringing wider exposure to some of the most important issues and stories in the world through her coverage of breaking news, critically-acclaimed documentaries and empowering initiatives. Her critically acclaimed documentary series, Black in America and Latino in America are among CNN’s most successful domestic and international franchises.

Walter Isaacson
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2015
Graduates should be humble, curious, and creatively open to collaboration, according to Walter Isaacson. The key to success in the 21st century, the same as it had been in the 20th century, will be combining love and facility for the sciences and the arts.

Regina Benjamin
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2014
“Your presence matters,” MacArthur “genius” and former U.S. surgeon general Regina M. Benjamin told graduating Vanderbilt University seniors on Senior Class Day, the day before Commencement will transform them into alumni.
Just by being there and making sure you’re doing well and being good at what you do, your presence matters. You never know who’s watching you,” Benjamin said.

Toni Morrison
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2013
Novelist Morrison tells grads to embrace interconnectedness.
The bloody and warlike history of the world is all the more reason to be caring citizens going forward, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison advised graduates during Senior Day festivities at Vanderbilt University.

Nichols-Chancellor's Medal Laureates (2010 ~ 2001)
View More

Muhammad Yunus
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2007
Muhammad Yunus, Vanderbilt alumnus and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, was awarded the Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal and $100,000 prize May 10, 2007. Yunus developed the concept of microcredit and founded the Grameen Bank, which has improved the lives of millions in his native Bangladesh through small loans to fund enterprises and buy livestock.

Laura Bush
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal 2006
First Lady Laura Bush was the winner of the Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal its inaugural year. Mrs. Bush accepted the award on behalf of disaster relief workers around the world who, at great peril to their personal safety, provided assistance to victims of natural disasters. Mrs. Bush donated the $100,000 cash prize to Vanderbilt to create the Nichols Humanitarian Fund, which provides travel and living expenses for students and faculty who volunteer for disaster relief assignments around the world.