Laureate
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
U.S. Secretary of Defense (2006-2011)
Robert M. Gates served as the nation’s 22nd Secretary of Defense. Dr. Gates served eight U.S. presidents across both parties and has the distinction of being the only secretary of defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected president.
Prior Laureates
Past IQLA laureates represent such diverse fields as economics, business, public policy, medicine, social justice, and the world of music and entertainment. Included among the list of distinguished former recipients are:
2024
Scott Hamilton
Olympic Gold Medalist and Founder, Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation
2023
Bob Woodruff
ABC News Correspondent and Founder, Bob Woodruff Foundation
2022
Delta Airlines
Global Community Leader
2021
Kathie Lee Gifford
Emmy Award winning Entertainer, Author & Philanthropist
2020
Heroes of Covid-19
2019
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Pediatric Treatment & Research Facility
2018
Judy Woodruff
Anchor and managing editor of the "PBS NewsHour"
2017
Lauren Bush Lauren
Co-Founder and CEO of FEED
2016
Judith Rodin, Ph.D.
President, The Rockefeller Foundation
President Emerita, University of Pennsylvania
President Emerita, University of Pennsylvania
2015
John R. Lewis
Civil Rights Icon
& U.S. Representative,
Georgia's 5th Congressional Distric
& U.S. Representative,
Georgia's 5th Congressional Distric
2014
Maria Rodale
Chairman and CEO, Rodale Inc.
2013
Howard G. Buffett
President, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation
2012
Alastair J. S. Summerlee
President & Vice Chancellor
2011
Fred Smith
Founder, Chairman, President, & CEO FedEx
2010
PBS
Public Service Media Organization
2009
Nancy Brinker
Ambassador and Founding Chair
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
2008
Teresa Heinz
Philanthropists & Sustainability Activist
2007
Ray C. Anderson
Chairman and Founder, Interface, Inc.
2006
Dr. Norman Ernest Borlaug
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
and Founder of the World Food Prize
and Founder of the World Food Prize
2005
Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority
Public Benefit Corporation
New York, New York
New York, New York
2004
Ratan N. Tata
Chairman, Tata Group, Mumbai, India
2003
Alabama
Award Winning Music Group
2002
Madeleine K. Albright
64th U.S. Secretary of State
2001
Dr. Jack B. McConnell
Founder and CEO, Volunteers in Medicine
2000
Millard D. Fuller
Founder and President, Habitat for Humanity International
1999
Arthur C. Martinez
Chairman and CEO, Sears, Roebuck & Co.
1998
Desmond Mpilo Tutu
Nobel Peace Prize and
Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa
Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa
1997
Robert D. Haas
Chairman and CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.
1996
William R. Howell
Chairman, J.C. Penny Company, Inc.
1995
Elmer B. Harris
President and CEO, Alabama Power Company
1995
Lawrence R. Klein
Nobel Prize Laureate and
Benjamin Franklin Professor of Economics and Finance,
University of Pennsylvania
Benjamin Franklin Professor of Economics and Finance,
University of Pennsylvania
1995
Don Logan
President and CEO, Time Inc.
1994
John C. Adams
President, Chairman, and CEO, Russell Corporation
1994
Catherine Bertini
Executive Director, United Nations World Food Programme
1994
Horst Schulze
President & COO, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company
