# American Swiss Foundation Hosts 55th Stratton Prize Dinner Honoring Susan Hockfield, PhD,16th President of MIT,2004-2012 - Published: 2026-11-11 - Author: [Education News](https://educationnews.io/author/educationnews-io.md) - Topics: [News](https://educationnews.io/news.md) - Source: https://educationnews.io/news/american-swiss-foundation-hosts-55th-stratton-prize-dinner-honoring-susan-hockfield-phd-16/ - Publication: Education News - Publisher: Connectively (Terkel, Inc.) - Editorial policy: https://educationnews.io/editorial-policy/ [![](https://www.einpresswire.com/image/medium/1247561/sp2026-g.jpeg)](https://www.einpresswire.com/image/large/1247561/sp2026-g.jpeg#3381x2169) Michael Lake (YL 2013), Susan Hockfield, PhD (55th Stratton Laureate), Dr. Michelle Hanlon (YL 2010), and H.E. Dr. Ralf Heckner (YL 2001) [![](https://www.einpresswire.com/image/medium/1247562/2026spl.jpeg)](https://www.einpresswire.com/image/large/1247562/2026spl.jpeg#3598x2400) Susan Hockfield, PhD (55th Stratton Laureate), Dr. Michelle Hanlon (YL 2010) [![](https://www.einpresswire.com/image/medium/1247563/2026sps.jpeg)](https://www.einpresswire.com/image/large/1247563/2026sps.jpeg#3598x2400) Shay Robinson (YL 2025) [![](https://www.einpresswire.com/image/medium/1247564/2026sph.jpeg)](https://www.einpresswire.com/image/large/1247564/2026sph.jpeg#3600x2402) H.E. Dr. Ralf Heckner (YL 2001) CAMBRIDGE, MA, UNITED STATES, November 11, 2026 /[EINPresswire.com](https://www.einpresswire.com/)/ -- On October 15, 2026, the American Swiss Foundation hosted the 55th Stratton Prize dinner honoring Susan Hockfield, PhD, 16th President of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004-2012, at the MIT Museum. The evening featured Susan Hockfield, PhD, 55th Stratton Laureate,16th President of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004-2012, in a fireside conversation moderated by Dr. Michelle Hanlon (Young Leader 2010), Deputy Dean for Faculty and Research, MIT Sloan School of Management, Member, ASF Stratton Prize Committee. Shantenae Robinson (Young Leader 2025), Head of U.S. Strategic Partnerships, Aon, Member, ASF Alumni Committee, opened the evening with introductory remarks, followed by closing remarks from His Excellency Dr. Ralf Heckner (Young Leader 2001), Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States. The Stratton Prize was founded by Dr. Freddy Homburger, who served as Honorary Consul for Switzerland in Boston for two decades (1966–1986), to honor significant career achievements in fostering intercultural understanding between Switzerland and the United States. The prize was first awarded in 1966 to Julius Adams Stratton, former President of MIT and later Chair of the Ford Foundation. Dr. Stratton was recognized for his work integrating the humanities at MIT, inspired by his advanced education at ETH Zürich and his exposure to Swiss humanistic thinking. A special thank you to Swiss International Air Lines, and Läderach for their generous support in making the evening a success. \*\*\* List of Stratton Laureates 2026 Susan Hockfield, PhD, 16th President of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004-2012 2025 Prof. Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen, Full Professor at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Head of National Innovation Initiatives at ETH Zürich 2024 Larry Grob, Fine Artist 2019 Martin Dahinden, Former Swiss Ambassador to U.S. 2018 Suzi Levine, Former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland 2018 Eric Levine, Founder and CEO of CellarTracker LLC 2016 Armin Hofmann, Swiss Graphic Designer 2016 Chris Pullman, Designer and Artist 2016 Philip Burton, Emeritus Professor, University of Illinois Chicago 2015 Renata von Tscharner, Founder, Charles River Parklands 2014 Steven G. Hoch, Partner, Brown Advisory 2013 Marc Redlich, Attorney, Redlich Law 2012 Iris Bohnet, Professor, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University 2011 Josef H. von Rickenbach, Co-Founder, Parexel 2010 Hansjörg Wyss, Environmentalist and Philanthropist, Founder of Synthes 2009 Douglas Sears, Urban School Superintendent, US Diplomat 2008 John A. Shane 2007 Jeno C. A. Staehelin, First Swiss Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Diplomat, and Lawyer 2006 Angelo M. Codevilla, Political Philosopher and Professor, School of Global Studies, Boston University 2005 Catherine N. Stratton, Formed MIT's Art Committee (Later Council for the Arts at MIT) 2004 Daniel Vasella, Former CEO and Chairman, Novartis AG 2003 Jane Swift, 69th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, Acting Governor of Massachusetts (2001-2003), First woman to perform the duties of Governor of Massachusetts 2003 Ralph Lewin, former City president and counsel of the City of Basel 2002 Faith Whittlesey, Former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland 2001 Ernst Jost, Former Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Boston 2001 Max Steinmann, Former Honorary Counsel of Switzerland for New England 2000 Alfred Defago, Swiss Journalist, Senior Civil Servant, and Diplomat 1999 Ruth Ruprecht, Pioneer in AIDS-Related Research and Vaccines, and in Breast Cancer 1998 Mary Davenport 1997 Hans J. Bär, Swiss Banker, Former Partner, President and Chairman, Julius Bär Group 1996 George Alessandria, Launched Operations in both Boston and Washington D.C., Swissair 1995 James H. Hutson, American Historian 1994 Charles E. Ziegler, Professor & University Scholar, Director, Department of Political Science, University of Louisville 1993 William J. Curran, "Father of Legal Medicine", Legal Expert on the International Commission of Jurists and the International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Science 1992 Roman Totenberg, Legendary Master Violinist and Professor, Boston University 1991 Freddy Homburger, Swiss-born Oncologist 1990 Blanche Honegger Moyse, Swiss-born American Conductor 1989 Bruno Thurlimann, Swiss Civil and Structural Engineer and Professor, ETH Zürich 1988 Irene Vischer Honegger 1987 Oscar Handlin, American Historian 1986 John Kenneth Galbraith, Canadian American Economist, Diplomat, and Public Official 1985 Philip J. McNiff, Librarian, Boston Public Library 1985 Yen-Tsia Feng, First Roy E. Larsen Librarian, Boston Public Library 1984 Victor E. Weisskopf, Theoretical Physicist 1983 Bernard Brauchli, Swiss Musicologist, Organist, Clavichordist, and Educator 1982 Carl Einsele, Swiss Publisher 1982 Thomas Karger, Former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Karger Publishers 1981 Conrad H. Biber, Successful Innovator, Polaroid Corporation 1981 George H. Büchi, Swiss Organic Chemist and Professor, M.I.T. 1981 Roger W. Jeanloz, Swiss American Biochemist 1980 Randall Thompson, American Composer 1979 William D. Carter, Former Director of the Department of International Exchanges, UNESCO 1978 Agnes Mongan, American Art Historian 1977 Charles S. Draper, American Aeronautical Engineer, Educator, and Science Administrator 1976 Alain B. Rossier, Former President and Medalist, The International Medical Society of Paraplegia 1975 Ernst Huber, Olympic Shooter 1974 Charles E. Mongan, First Chairman of The New England Obstetrical and Gynecologic Society (NEOGS) 1973 Georges F. Doriot, Professor, Military Man, and Entrepreneur 1972 Michael Stettler, Swiss Architect, Art Historian, Museum Director, and Writer 1971 Werner Imhoof, Former Washington Correspondent for Neue Zürcher Zeitung 1970 Bradford Washburn, American Explorer, Mountaineer, Cartographer, and Photographer 1969 Jerome C. Hunsaker, American Naval Officer and Aeronautical Engineer 1968 George W. Thorne, Former Chief of Medicine, Boston's Peter Bent Brigham Hospital 1966 Julius Adams Stratton, Founder of the Statton Prize for Intercultural Achievement \*\*\* About the American Swiss Foundation Founded in 1945 in response to World War II, the Foundation’s mission is to connect and engage Swiss and American leaders. Towards the end of the 20th century, two former U.S. Ambassadors to Switzerland, Shelby Cullom Davis and Faith Whittlesey, ushered in a new era for the small organization. They ultimately transformed the Foundation from an organization that was primarily social to one that focused on nurturing and investing in the next generation of leaders in both countries. In 1975, Ambassador Davis assumed an active leadership role with the Foundation. He served as chairman and president until 1989, and as honorary chairman until his passing in 1994. In 1989, Ambassador Whittlesey became chairman and president of the Foundation and launched the organization’s flagship program, the Young Leaders Conference. Today, Alumni of the past 35 conferences now number more than 1,800 leaders who shape the futures of the two countries, including members of U.S. Congress and Swiss parliamentarians, entrepreneurs and business executives, media professionals, and public policy experts. Vanessa Beary, Executive Director American Swiss Foundation Visit us on social media: [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/4034910) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/amswissfound/) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1uMoImzTjxvo_zR7OO73qA) [X](https://twitter.com/amswissfound) Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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