On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, the National Institute held its 106th Annual Gold Medal Gala online as a socially-distanced virtual event. National Institute President Fred Larsen awarded Gold Honor Medals to this year’s honorees, Max Stier, Darren Walker, and Judy Woodruff, for distinguished service to humanity.
The centerpiece of the event was the three Honorees in video conversation with each other and President Larsen in front of a live Zoom audience. Premium ticket buyers were able to socialize with the Honorees in small Zoom breakout rooms after the panel discussion. In addition to an edited video of the panel discussion, the recorded program of the Virtual Gala includes a short historical video about the National Institute, a description of the National Institute’s grant-making activities, a pre-recorded interview with the 2020 Dissertation Grant winner, and two exclusive musical performances by Grammy Award nominee and Metropolitan Opera star Angel Blue.
A recording of the Virtual Gala and an interactive Gala Program can be viewed by clicking the button below.
One of the nation’s oldest honorary societies, the National Institute of Social Sciences awards Gold Medals to men and women whose lives have manifested the highest achievements and who have made significant contributions to society and humanity. This year’s honorees joined a distinguished, diverse pantheon of honorees that stretches back more than a century, to 1913.
The mission of the National Institute is to promote the study of the social sciences, to support social science research and discussion, and to honor individuals who have rendered distinguished service to humanity. In addition to awarding Gold Medals, the National Institute provides scholarships and grants to scholars in the social sciences, and organizes virtual and in-person educational events and round tables on important societal issues. For more information, visit www.socialsciencesinstitute.org.