The Purchase College President’s Award for Distinguished Alumni marks the occasion of a maturing institution and honors distinguished alumni whose demonstrated excellence and significant contributions within their chosen fields reflect on the quality of their educational experience at Purchase College. We are confident that our alumni — poised as they are for roles of major influence and contribution — will continue to emerge worthy of these awards.

Year

Recipient

Graduation Year

Program

2024

Robert Herman, M.D.

Lesli Klainberg

1979

1985

Chemistry

Film

2023

Gina Belafonte

1983

Acting

2022

Corina Larkin

2006

Visual Arts

2021

Denise Roberts Hurlin

Jeanette Yarwood

1984

1996

Dance

Anthropology

2020

Adotei Akwei

1984

Political Science/Economics

2019

Ina Mayhew

1981

Theater Design

2018

Jay Olcutt Sanders

Latrice Monique Walker

1976

2001

Theater

Sociology/Political Science

2017

Regina Spektor

2001

Music

2016

Kyle Abraham

2000

Dance

2015

 Stephen Vitiello

1986

Literature

2014

Jodi Long

Peter Powchik

1976

1979

Theater Arts

Chemistry

2013

Gregory Crewdson

Jessica Hentoff

1985

1977

Culture and Society

Sociology

2012

John Ambroseo

Ivan Menchell

1983

1983

Chemistry

Drama Studies

2011

Susie Essman

Jon Kessler

1977

1980

Urban Studies

Visual Arts

2010

Terese Capucilli

Michael Powell

1978

1978

Dance

History

2009

Donald Margulies

Chris Wedge

1976

1981

Visual Arts

Film

2008

Dwayne Croft

Jeremy Gerard

1983

1977

Music

Literature

2007

Doug Varone

Adam Nagourney

1978

1977

Dance

Economics

2006

Harvey Wang ’77

1977

Visual Arts/Anthropology

2005

Jill Bargonetti-Chavarria

Fred Wilson

1985

1976

Biology

Visual Arts