Williams College will present Bicentennial Medals at Convocation on Saturday, Sept. 7, to five accomplished alumni, including Convocation Speaker Eric Schmitt ’82, senior correspondent for The New York Times. Schmitt’s long career in journalism with a focus on counterterrorism and national security issues has earned him four shared Pulitzer Prizes.
Other 2024 Bicentennial medalists are:
Christopher M. Filley ’73, professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine as well as founder and director of the school’s Behavioral Neurology Section; prolific author and an award-winning teacher
Willa Black ’82, MSM, digital equity advocate, longtime leader in corporate social responsibility at Cisco Canada and founder of Connected North, which virtually connects 35,000 K-12 Indigenous students across Canada’s remote north to education and career opportunities
Marica Tacconi ’92, distinguished professor of musicology and art history at The Pennsylvania State University whose research has led to uncovering previously neglected musical works and forged manuscripts
Amy Prieto ’96, chemistry professor at Colorado State University, inventor and founder of Prieto Battery Inc., which is commercializing her invention of a three-dimensional, fast-charging lithium-ion battery, currently on display at the Smithsonian Institution
The Bicentennial Medalists will take part in a conversation moderated by President Maud S. Mandel about the ways in which the honorees’ liberal arts education created pathways for them to contribute to society as a whole through the arts, science, technology, medicine and journalism. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Friday, Sept. 6, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the MainStage of the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance.
Established in 1993 on the occasion of the college’s 200th anniversary, Bicentennial Medals honor members of the Williams community for distinguished achievement in any field of endeavor. Learn more about past medalists on the Alumni Awards website.
Read more about Williams’ 2024 Convocation ceremonies.
Published August 13, 2024