Brandeis Magazine

Winter 2024/2025

In Good Company

Nearly 80 distinguished alumni have received the Alumni Achievement Award since its inception in 1988. Here are just a few of the recipients.

Deborah Bial ’87, H’12

Founder of the Posse Foundation, a college-access and scholarship program for underrepresented students. 

The Class of 1952

The university’s first graduating class, who earned the only Alumni Achievement Award given to a group.

Barbara Dortch-Okara ’71

Massachusetts Superior Court judge who served as both the first and the highest-ranking Black woman in the state judiciary.

Margo Jefferson ’68

Former New York Times book and theater critic who won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1995.

Marta Kauffman ’78, H’20

Executive producer and co-creator of the sitcom “Friends.” 

Jon Landau ’68, H’19

Legendary record producer and manager noted for his work with Bruce Springsteen. 

Tim Morehouse ’00

Fencer who became the university’s first Olympic athlete, winning a silver medal in the men’s sabre at the 2008 Summer Games.

George Saitoti ’67

Two-time vice president of Kenya. 

Hortense Spillers, PhD’74

Pioneering professor, scholar, and critic whose work helped shape the field of African American literary studies and Black feminist theory.

Drew Weissman ’81, GSAS MA’81, P’15, H’23

Nobel Prize-winning scientist whose research laid the groundwork for the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.