The National Medal of Science

The National Medal of Science was established by Congress in 1959 as a Presidential Award to be given to individuals "deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." In 1980 Congress expanded this recognition to include the social and behavioral sciences.

The National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology are the nation's highest honors in those fields.

Six of UCLA's nine recipients of the National Medal of Science are scholars in the Physical Sciences:

1993: Donald J. Cram, Nobel Laureate and professor of chemistry: Presenting President: Bill Clinton
Citation: "For his pioneering research on the chemical foundations of molecular recognition; the understanding of the molecular basis of biological systems; his shaping of scientific thought and development, and guidance to generations of students."

1989: Richard Bernstein, professor of chemistry: Presenting President: George H.W. Bush
Citation: "For his development and use of the technique of molecular beams, which have played a significant role in shaping the field of modern chemical dynamics."

1970: Saul Winstein, professor of chemistry: Presenting President: Richard Nixon
Citation: "In recognition of his many innovative and perceptive contributions to the study of mechanism in organic chemical reactions."

1966: Jacob Bjerknes, professor of meteorology: Presenting President: Lyndon Johnson
Citation: "By watching and studying maps he discovered the cylone-making waves of the air and the climate-controlling changes of the sea."

1965: William Rubey, professor of geology and geophysics: Presenting President: Lyndon Johnson
Citation: "For showing by profoundly original observations and clear physical reasoning how sand grains and mountains move and from whence the oceans come."

1964: Julian Schwinger, professor of physics: Presenting President: Lyndon Johnson
Citation: "For his profound work on the fundamental problems of quantum field theory, and for his many contributions to and lucid expositions of nuclear physics and electrodynamics."