2010-Present

2018	Martin Baron, Executive Editor of The Washington Post
2016	James Anderson, Scientist
2014	The Honorable Abner J. Mikva, Jurist and Public Servant
2013	Suzanne Ghez, Museum Director and Art Curator
2012	Timuel Black, Historian and Civil Rights Activist

2000-2009

2008	Leon Lederman, Nobel Laureate
2007	Ela Blatt, Leader of the International Labor, Cooperative, Women’s, and Micro-Finance Movements
2005	Leon Despres, Former Chicago Alderman and Community Activist

1990-1999

1999	Paul Simon, Former Senator
1997	Geoffrey Canada, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families in New York City
1997	John Callaway, Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist and host of WTTW/Channel 11's Chicago Tonight
1996	Katharine Graham, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Washington Post Company and a University Alumna and Trustee

1970-1979

1976	Hermon Dunlap Smith
1972	Paul Hoffman

1960-1969

1968	William Benton