John Jackson, whose transformative gift to Yale in 2009 helped establish the Jackson School of Global Affairs, has been named a recipient of the Yale Medal, the highest honor presented by the Yale Alumni Association.

Jackson, a 1967 graduate of Yale College, has been a devoted university leader for more than six decades. He served as a regional co-chair for the university capital campaign that began in 1991 and currently serves as honorary co-chair on Yale’s current capital campaign. Jackson is also a member of the President’s Council on International Activities, a group he chaired for eight years.

His career in international business further fostered a keen awareness of world issues and, in 2009, a generous gift from Jackson established the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale. In 2019, the Yale Corporation voted to transform the institute into the Jackson School of Global Affairs, the first new professional school created at the university in more than 40 years. Jackson currently serves on the school’s Board of Advisors.

“We hope to inspire students to pursue careers in diplomacy and public service and to become globally engaged leaders in all walks of life,” said Jackson in 2009. “We are delighted to help Yale advance this mission.”

Jackson and four other recipients of this year’s Yale Medal will be honored at a special ceremony this fall. Read more about the award and the other recipients.