Trustee David M. Rubenstein to be Awarded Eisenhower Medal
Institute Trustee David M. Rubenstein is to be awarded the Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service by Eisenhower Fellowships, the highest honor presented by the organization. In particular, Rubenstein is lauded for his "extraordinary public service" through his numerous positions supporting higher education and the arts, economic empowerment, and the preservation of America’s legacy.
An Institute Trustee since 2005, Rubenstein has made a significant impact on the Institute campus. In 2022, due to his visionary gift, Rubenstein Commons was opened, providing a forum for scholars and community members to gather and collaborate outside of the traditional School walls. Rubenstein has also been seen at the Institute hosting public discussions with scholars and world leaders in Wolfensohn Hall, and guiding the Institute in his capacity as Trustee.
In January of this year, Rubenstein was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, by President Joe Biden. In addition to his contributions to the Institute, Rubenstein holds positions on a number of other organizational boards, both as Chairman and Trustee. Currently, Rubenstein is Chairman of the Boards of the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Gallery of Art, the Economic Club of Washington, and the University of Chicago. Rubenstein also serves on many other boards committed to the arts, education, and medical advancement. He is an accomplished investor, philanthropist, interviewer, author, and historian.
"Over a remarkable career, David Rubenstein's life's work is in keeping with the highest values of our organization and honors the legacy of our namesake, President Dwight D. Eisenhower," said Robert Gates, Chairman of Eisenhower Fellowships. "David has used his business success to drive his enormous generosity and influence as one of the world's most prominent philanthropists, supporting vital medical care and serving as a vocal champion of literacy, entrepreneurism, and civic participation in our democracy."
The award will be presented to Rubenstein in May during the Eisenhower Fellowships’ 2025 Annual Awards Dinner.
Eisenhower Fellowships brings together diverse, innovative leaders from all fields from around the globe to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges. Past Eisenhower Medal recipients include U.S. Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright, Henry Kissinger and General Colin L. Powell, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, multiple U.S. Senators, and Doctors Without Borders.
