President's Medallion

Past recipients of the President's Medallion have been recognized for outstanding service to the university or to the greater community.  While some recipients have served as faculty, staff or trustees of the university, other recipients are notable community leaders or acclaimed scholars who have made important contributions to society.  

Senator Scott Martin | 12/11/23
Pennsylvania State Senator from Lancaster County; MU Alum 
For: Exemplary leadership in the community, service to higher education in the PA Senate and on the PASSHE Board of Governors, and tireless advocacy for the people of Lancaster County.
At: December 11, 2023 winter commencement ceremony 

Mrs. Kim Lemon | 5/9/15
WGAL News Anchor
For: Leadership, commitment, and advocacy in the Lancaster community.
At: May 11, 2015 undergrad commencement ceremony

Dr. William B. McIlwaine | 9/5/14
MU Faculty Emeriti and Member of the Council of Trustees
For: Career accomplishments, military service, leadership, commitment, and advocacy within the campus community.}
At: September 5, 2014, fall convocation ceremony

Dr. Richard Frerichs | 12/19/12
MU Alum/Retired Faculty Member/Commencement Coordinator
For: Career accomplishments/volunteer activities on behalf of MU, especially through service and leadership in coordinating commencement.
At: December 19, 2012 Council of Trustees Public Meeting

Mr. Ron Frisbie | 12/19/12
For: Recognition of his long-time involvement and support of and service to the Brossman Foundation.
At: November 8, 2012 Brossman-Frisbie Science Lecture

Dr. Hugh Miller Herr | 05/07/11
MU Grad and Head of Biomechatronics Lab at M.I.T.
At: May 7, 2011 Spring Commencement Ceremony

Thomas K. Gilhool, Esq. | 03/31/10
Retired staff attorney, Public Interest Law Ctr. Of Phila. (PILCOP)
For: Leadership, commitment, and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.
At: Disabilities and Public Policy Forum

The Right Reverend Nathan D. Baxter | 11/08/06
For: Outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to education.  Bishop Baxter has provided extraordinary leadership on important societal issues and in his commitment to education.
At: Creating Caring Communities

Roger Wood Wilkins | 02/23/06
Prof. of History & American Culture, George Mason Univ.
For: Extraordinary leadership and commitment to public higher education and societal issues
At: Carter Woodson Lecture

Ms. Sue Walker ‘64 | 05/07/05
MU Trustee
For: Career accomplishments/volunteer activities on behalf of MU, especially through service and leadership in the anniversary celebration.
At: 2005 Spring Commencement – 150th Anniversary Medallion of Honor

The Honorable Robert S. Walker ‘64 | 05/07/05
Volunteer, MU Grad.
For: Career accomplishments/volunteer activities on behalf of MU, especially through service and leadership in the anniversary celebration.
At: 2005 Spring Commencement – 150th Anniversary Medallion of Honor

Governor Edward G. Rendell | 04/15/05
Governor of PA
For: Active community role through board memberships; proposed tax relief plan for elderly and those w/fixed incomes; outline of progressive economic stimulus program to leverage investment in economic development projects.
At: 150th Anniversary Closing Ceremony – 150th Anniversary Medal of Honor

Mr.  Richard Thornburgh | 09/10/04
Former U.S. Attorney General/Gov. of the Commonwealth of PA
For: Profound impact on public higher education in PA and at MU; instrumental in the creation of the State System of Higher Ed. In 1983; and for his work w/the rights of people w/disabilities.
At: 150th Anniversary Opening Ceremony – 150th Anniversary Medal of Honor

Dr.  G. Terry Madonna | 05/03/03
Prof., Gov’t. & Political Affairs/Dir., Center for Politics & Public Affairs
For: Outstanding tenure as faculty member since 1967; support of MU as Faculty Senate Pres, faculty advisor to COT, chairman of Dept. of Gov. & Political Affairs; publications in field of history, government, and American politics; work on numerous community boards and commissions; work as Dir. Of Center for Politics & Public Affairs; and teaching expertise
At: Honors & Awards Convocation

Dr. Jack Fischel | 04/06/03
Faculty Emeritus, History Dept.
For: 37 yrs. Of service to MU, service to History Dept. as dept. chair from ’85-’02, work as editor of Congress Monthly, work as Dir. Of Holocaust Workshop for Teachers, scholarly work of publishing 29 articles in journals & editing and publishing dozens of book on Holocaust, significant contributions to awareness of Holocaust that brought MU national recognition and founding of annual Holocaust Conference in 1980, and for exemplary service in wide range of community activities.
At: Holocaust Conference

Rep. Jere Schuler ‘56 | 04/06/03
PA House of Representatives 43rd District; MU Grad.
For: Through his work as an educator, his career in public office, and his service to higher ed. As a member of the BOG of the State System, epitomizes the spirit of this award.  His life and career have been committed to ensuring that PA students have an opportunity to receive a quality education
At: McComsey Hall Groundbreaking Ceremony

Mr. Willis Shenk | 05/13/00
Chairman, Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.
At: May 2000 Commencement

Dr. Albert C. Hoffman | 10/27/99
Dean Emeritus, School of Science & Math.
For: His central role in developing the initial proposal for the Science Technology Center, enormous efforts in organizing and advocating on behalf of the plans and ultimately their implementation
At: Dedication of Science & Technology Bldg.

The Honorable  Robert S. Walker ‘64 | 04/12/99
Retired Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives
For: His active role in education on the national level, especially science education
At: Dedication of Robert S. Walker Archives

WGAL-TV | 12/20/98
Accepted by Mr. Paul Quinn, Vice President & General Mgr.
For: Outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to education especially through its program, “Learning Matters”
At: December 1998 Commencement

Mrs. Jackie Reighard | 11/23/96
For: Service, commitment, and dedication to MU
At: Dr. Reighard Retirement Celebration

Dr. Gary W. Reighard | 11/23/96
Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus
For: Leadership, commitment, and dedication to MU
At: Retirement Celebration

Mrs. Alma P. Duncan | 10/28/95
For: Leadership, service, and commitment to public higher education and to MU
At: Dedication of Duncan Alumni House

Dr. William H. Duncan | 10/28/95
MU President 1968-1981, Class of 1940
For: Leadership, service, and commitment to public higher education and to MU
At: Dedication of Duncan Alumni House

Mr. J. Freeland Chryst | 04/23/93
Founder, The Jay Grp.
For: Leadership, commitment & generosity to his alma mater and his efforts to advance education
At: Dedication of Chryst Hall

Warner-Lambert Co. Lancaster Division | 05/11/91
Accepted by: Mr. Herman E. Armstrong, V.P. of Operations
For: Initiatives encouraging women to enter the fields of science & math.
At: May 1991 Commencement

Mr. William H. Bolger | 11/30/90
Chairman, C.O.T. Millersville University
At: Dedication of William H. Bolger Conference Ctr., Gordinier Hall (along w/a portrait & resolution)

The SICO Foundation | 05/12/90
Accepted by: Mr. Franklin R. Eichler, President
For: Extraordinary service, leadership, and dedication to higher education
At: May 1990 Commencement