| 2023 Joseph Fox, Chemistry & Biochemistry |
 | 2022 Thomas Buchanan Mechanical Engineering |
 | 2021 Yan Jin Plant and Soil Sciences |
 | 2016 Mary Dozier Psychological and Brain Sciences |
 | 2015 Cecil Dybowski Chemistry and Biochemistry |
 | 2014 Abraham Lenhoff Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
 | 2013 Paul C. Quinn Professor, Psychology |
 | 2012 Joel Best Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice |
 | 2011 Roberta Golinkoff H. Rodney Sharp Chair, School of Education |
 | 2010 David L. Kirchman Maxwell P. and Mildred H. Harrington Professor, Marine Biosciences in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment |
 | 2009 Lynn Snyder-Mackler Alumni Distinguished Professor of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy |
 | 2008 Chin-Pao Huang Donald C. Phillips Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering |
 | 2007 Mark J. Miller Emma Smith Morris Professor, Political Science & International Relations |
 | 2006 George W. Luther III Maxwell P. and Mildred H. Harrington Professor of Marine Studies, Marine Studies |
 | 2005 George Hadjipanayis Chairperson and Richard B. Murray Professor of Physics, Physics & Astronomy |
 | 2004 Mark A. Barteau Robert L. Pigford Chair, Chemical Engineering |
 | 2003 Leo Lemay H. F. du Pont Winterthur Professor, English Literature |
 | 2002 Peter Kolchin Henry Clay Reed Professor, History |
 | 2001 Tsu-Wei Chou P.S. du Pont Chair, Mechanical Engineering |
 | 2000 George C. Hsiao Carl Rees Professor, Mathematical Sciences |
 | 1999 John S. Boyer E. I. du Pont Professor, Marine Studies |
 | 1998 Carol Hoffecker Richards Professor Emerita, History |
 | 1997 Donald Peters Amy Rextrew Professor, Individual and Family Studies |
 | 1996 Donald Sparks S. Hallock du Pont Chair, Agriculture and Natural Resources |
 | 1995 Frank Scarpitti Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice |
 | 1994 John Rosenberger Alumni Distinguished Professor, Animal and Food Sciences |
 | 1993 Stanley Sandler Henry Belin du Pont Chair, Chemical Engineering |
 | 1992 Burnaby Munson C. Eugene Bennett Chair, Chemistry and Biochemistry |
 | 1991 John R. Mather Professor, Geography |
 | 1990 T.W. Fraser Russell Allan P. Colburn Professor, Chemical Engineering and Energy Conservation |
 | 1989 Carroll E. Izard Trustees Distinguished Professor, Psychology |
 | 1988 Henry L. Shipman Annie Jump Cannon Chair, Physics and Astronomy |
 | 1987 John C. Kraft H. Fletcher Brown Professor Emeritus, Geology |
 | 1986 Julio da Cunha Professor, Art and University Honors Program |
 | 1985 Roberta Colman Willis F. Harrington Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry |
 | 1984 Wayne Craven H.F. du Pont Winterthur Professor Emeritus, Art History |
 | 1983 Gerard Mangone University Research Professor of International and Maritime Law, Marine Studies |
 | 1982 Arthur B. Metzner H. Fletcher Brown Professor Emeritus, Chemical Engineering |
 | 1981 John A Monroe H. Rodney Sharp Professor Emeritus, History |
 | 1980 William I. Homer H. Rodney Sharp Professor Emeritus, Art History |
 | 1979 Robert Pigford Professor, Chemical Engineering |