Awards
The TIAA Institute’s award program recognizes scholarly achievements in financial security as well as leadership excellence in healthcare and higher education. We confer three annual awards:
The TIAA Paul A. Samuelson Award for outstanding scholarly writing on lifelong financial security
Named in honor of the late Nobel Prize winner and former CREF trustee, the TIAA Paul A. Samuelson Award is given annually by the TIAA Institute to recognize an outstanding research publication that helps advance Americans' lifelong financial well-being. A panel of distinguished judges selects the award recipient and the TIAA Institute announces the winner each year during the annual meeting of the Allied Social Sciences Associations.
The Louise Whitfield Carnegie Award for leadership excellence in healthcare
Sponsored by the TIAA Institute and presented in partnership with Becker’s Healthcare, the Louise Whitfield Carnegie Award recognizes a senior healthcare executive who is setting a higher standard through values driven leadership, strong workforce practices, and measurable community impact. The award honors the legacy of Louise Whitfield Carnegie, wife of TIAA’s founder Andrew Carnegie, whose life reflected a deep commitment to public health, philanthropy, and human dignity.
The TIAA Institute Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for leadership excellence in higher education
Leadership in Action
Sponsored by the TIAA Institute and administered by the American Council on Education, the Hesburgh Award is given to a current college or university president or chancellor who embodies Father Hesburgh’s commitment to higher education and society at large. The Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., was past president of the University of Notre Dame, a longtime member of the TIAA and CREF Boards of Overseers, and a world-renowned humanitarian. He received both the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.