THE UCLA MEDAL

The UCLA Medal is the highest honored bestowed by the University of California, Los Angeles. Created in 1979, the medal is awarded to those who have made truly extraordinary and distinguished contributions to their professions and to our society.

Recipients have included national and international leaders in government, education, science, industry and the arts, as well as men and women who have advanced UCLA’s development into one of the world’s preeminent universities.

One side of the medal bears a modified version of the University of California seal. Designed by Tiffany & Co., the original seal was adopted by the University of California in 1910. It features the words The University of California and the year the university was founded, 1868, around the rim of a circle. Within the circle is an open book, symbolizing the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge. The only legible text inside the book is a capital A, signifying the beginning of wisdom. Across the bottom of the book, a banner proclaims the university’s motto, Let there be light. Atop the open book, a five-pointed star emits rays of light, symbolizing the discovery and propagation of knowledge. The rendering that appears on The UCLA Medal incorporates one variation: UCLA is inscribed in place of the university’s founding date.

The reverse side of the medal depicts Royce Hall, the most recognizable building at UCLA and one of the four original structures erected on the Westwood campus. Designed by the Los Angeles firm of Allison & Allison and completed in 1929, Royce Hall is modeled after the Italian Romanesque San Ambrogio Church in Milan. Today it is home to classrooms and offices, and an 1,800-seat theater considered one of the nation’s finest concert halls.

FRONT	BACK

Alphabetical list of past recipients

Chronological list of past Medal recipients

For more information on nominating a Medalist, refer to UCLA Policy 140 or contact Senior Event Manager Kyle Gibson.