Established in 1947, the James Cardinal Gibbons Medal is named in honor of the University's founder and first chancellor and is intended to honor any person who, in the opinion of the Alumni Association's Board of Governors, has rendered distinguished and meritorious service to the Roman Catholic Church, the United States of America, or The Catholic University of America.

The Gibbons Medal is conferred by the University President on behalf of the Alumni Association during the alumni awards ceremony. The University's most loyal alumni and leading benefactors witness the occasion and celebrate the accomplishments of the Gibbons Medal honoree.

Nomination form: Nominate someone for the James Cardinal Gibbons Award.

Recipients

* Deceased

  • 2017 — Gary Sinise, actor, CEO of the Gary Sinise Foundation
  • 2015 — Timothy Shriver, CEO of the Special Olympics, alumnus
  • 2013 — Sister Mary Scullion, R.S.M., Co-founder of Philadelphia's Project H.O.M.E. 
  • 2012 — Kevin Ryan, President and CEO, Covenant House, alumnus
  • 2010 — Sr. Alice Zachman, Advocate for Human Rights and Justice
  • 2009 — Ronan Tynan, Paralympic athlete, vocalist, inspirational speaker
  • 2008 — Kenneth Hackett, President, Catholic Relief Services
  • 2005 — Darrell Green, Founder, The Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation
  • 2004 — General Barry McCaffrey, former drug czar and national security consultant
  • 2003 — Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., bestselling author of Dead Man Walking
  • 2002 — Aaron Neville, four-time Grammy award winning vocalist
  • 2001 — His Eminence Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J.*
  • 2000 — William H. Graham, Sr., former faculty member and chairman of the board of trustees for the Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, alumnus,*
  • 1999 — The Honorable Kathryn J. DuFour, benefactor*
  • 1998 — The Honorable Corrine "Lindy" Boggs, The United States Ambassador to The Holy See
  • 1997 — The Honorable Henry J. Hyde, U.S Congressman from Illinois*
  • 1997 — Brother Patrick Ellis, F.S.C., President, The Catholic University of America, alumnus
  • 1996 — His Eminence James Cardinal Hickey, Former Archbishop of Washington, D.C. and Chancellor of the University, alumnus*
  • 1995 — The Honorable Robert Patrick Casey, Former Governor of Pennsylvania*
  • 1994 — The Honorable Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court*
  • 1994 — Richard W. Galiher, Sr., attorney, alumnus, benefactor*
  • 1993 — Edward J. Pryzbyla, President, Edwards Enterprises, alumnus, benefactor*
  • 1992 — George J. Quinn, Chairman, Alton Engineering, alumnus, benefactor*
  • 1991 — The Rev. William J. Byron, S.J., President, The Catholic University of America
  • 1990 — Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Executive Vice President, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, Founding Chairwoman, Special Olympics International*
  • 1989 — The Most Rev. William D. Borders, Retired Archbishop of Baltimore*
  • 1988 — Edward Bennett Williams, Esq., Attorney*
  • 1988 — Admiral James D. Watkins, Former Chief of Naval Operations, Former Secretary of Energy, Former Chairman of President Reagan's HIV Task Force
  • 1987 — The Most Rev. Phillip M. Hannan, Archbishop of New Orleans, alumnus
  • 1986 — Nancy Reagan, Former First Lady of the United States of America*
  • 1985 — The Rev. Gilbert V. Hartke, Chairman Emeritus, Catholic University Drama Department, alumnus*
  • 1985 — Mildred Fay Jefferson, M.D., Surgeon and Pro-Life Leader*
  • 1984 — The Rev. Bruce Ritter, Founder, Covenant House*
  • 1982 — Raymond A. DuFour, President and Chairman of the Board, DuFour Enterprises, Inc., alumnus, benefactor*
  • 1981 — Rev. Monsignor John Tracy Ellis, church historian, alumnus*
  • 1980 — J. Peter Grace, Chief Executive Officer, W.R. Grace Co.*
  • 1980 — His Eminence William Cardinal Baum, Former Chancellor of The Catholic University of America
  • 1979 — His Eminence Terence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York, alumnus*
  • 1978 — Clarence C. Walton, President, The Catholic University of America, alumnus*
  • 1977 — Benjamin T. Rome, Chairman of the Board, Hyman Construction Company, alumnus, benefactor*
  • 1976 — His Eminence Lawrence Cardinal Shehan, Archbishop of Baltimore*
  • 1975 — The Honorable John J. Sirica, Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia*
  • 1974 — The Honorable Michael Mansfield, U.S. Senator*
  • 1973 — Helen Hayes, Actress*
  • 1972 — His Eminence Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle, Archbishop of Washington and Chancellor of the University*
  • 1971 — The Most Rev. James Walsh, Superior General, Maryknoll Fathers*
  • 1970 — Dr. Carroll Hochwalt, Former Chairman, The Catholic University of America, Board of Trustees*
  • 1969 — The Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., President, University of Notre Dame, alumnus
  • 1968 — Danny Thomas, Entertainer*
  • 1967 — James J. Norris, Assistant to the Executive Director, Catholic Relief Services
  • 1966 — The Honorable Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court*
  • 1965 — The Honorable Sargent Shriver, Director, Peace Corps*
  • 1964 — The Honorable John A. McCone, Director, Central Intelligence Agency*
  • 1963 — The Honorable John W. McCormack, Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives*
  • 1962 — Luke Edward Hart, Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus*
  • 1961 — Charles G. Fenwick, Director, Legal Affairs, Organization of American States*
  • 1960 — Karl F. Herzfeld, Physicist*
  • 1959 — General Alfred Gruenther, Past President, American Red Cross*
  • 1958 — The Honorable Thomas E. Murray, Consultant, Atomic Energy Commission*
  • 1957 — The Most Rev. Bryan J. McEntegart, D.D., Bishop of Brooklyn*
  • 1956 — The Very Rev. Ignatius Smith, O.P., Dean, The Catholic University of America School of Philosophy*
  • 1956 — The Honorable John F. Kennedy, U.S. Senator (MA) (Later President of the United States of America)*
  • 1955 — General Lawton Collins, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army*
  • 1954 — The Honorable J. Edgar Hoover, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation*
  • 1953 — The Most Rev. Fulton J. Sheen, D.D.*
  • 1951 — Fulton Oursler, Author, senior editor, Readers Digest*
  • 1950 — General Carlos Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines*
  • 1949 — Carlton J.H. Hayes, Professor, historian, publicist*