President Scott S. Cowen established the Tulane University President's Medal in 1999. The medal is awarded at the sole discretion of the president to individuals who have distinguished themselves by their actions and who have contributed in some manner to the well-being of Tulane University or the city of New Orleans. Unlike the honorary degree, this award may commemorate deeds other than academic achievement. Designed by Professor Emeritus Franklin Adams, the front of the medal features a sculpted TU symbol. This university emblem was first used as an architectural symbol on the exterior of two historic buildings on the uptown campus, Tilton Hall and Robert C. Cudd Hall.
| Recipients | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Luis Guillermo SolÃs | President of Costa Rica | 2017 |
| Hoda Kotb | Co-host, NBC's Today Show and Dateline Correspondent | 2016 |
| Yvette Jones | Executive Vice President for University Relations and Development | 2016 |
| Maya Rudolph | Actress and Comedian | 2015 |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints Quarterback | 2014 |
| Michael White | Jazz Artist and Educator | 2014 |
| Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews | Musician and Founder of Horns for Schools | 2012 |
| Judith Rodin | Rockefeller Foundation President | 2012 |
| Wendell Pierce | Treme Star | 2012 |
| Wynton Marsalis | Jazz Artist | 2011 |
| Anderson Cooper | CNN Anchor and Author | 2010 |
| Rita Benson LeBlanc* | Part Owner and Executive Vice President of the New Orleans Saints | 2010 |
| Gregg Williams* | Defensive Coordinator of the New Orleans Saints | 2010 |
| Jonathan Vilma* | Team Captain of the New Orleans Saints and Pro Bowl Linebacker | 2010 |
| Ellen DeGeneres | Host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show | 2009 |
| James Carville | National Political Commentator | 2008 |
| Mary Matalin | National Political Commentator | 2008 |
| His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani | Amir of the State of Qatar | 2008 |
| Brian Williams | Managing Editor, Anchor of NBC Nightly News | 2006 |
| John Breaux | United States Senator | 2004 |
| Jacques Chirac | President of France | 2002 |
| Karlem "Ducky" Riess | Professor and Marshal Emeritus | 2002 |
| William Safire | New York Times Columnist | 2002 |
| Corinne Lindy Claiborne Boggs | Former U.S. Representative from Louisiana and Ambassador to the Vatican | 2001 |
| Marian Wright Edelman | President, Children's Defense Fund | 2001 |
| Walter Isaacson | Editorial Director, Time Magazine | 2000 |
| Cokie Roberts | ABC Co-Anchor, This Week with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts | 1999 |
* On behalf of the New Orleans Saints organization
