Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends

The Envelope Please: Announcing the 2026 Alumni Achievement Awards

February 9, 2026

Recipients include an NFL team owner, cancer research pioneer, and Emmy-winning actress

Hallway of award winners past

Brandeis is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Alumni Achievement Awards. The university’s highest honor, the award is bestowed on graduates who have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields and to society more broadly, while embodying Brandeisian values. More than 90 illustrious alumni have received the award since its inception in 1988, including leaders in business, science, health, government, the arts, and law.

The 2026 awardees include an NFL team owner, a cancer research pioneer, and an Emmy award-winning actress.

Loretta Devine, MFA’76

Devine rose to fame starring in the original Broadway production of the musical “Dreamgirls,” leading to a successful career in theater, television, and film. Her numerous credits include an Emmy-winning performance on “Grey’s Anatomy” and a starring role in the film “Waiting to Exhale.” 

Sheila Efron Taube, Ph.D., ’63, P’89

Efron Taube is a pioneering cancer researcher who made her mark at the National Cancer Institute, where she served in leadership roles in the Cancer Diagnosis Program. Her work promoting rigorous science and developing resources to support promising and impactful advances in research has helped prolong and improve the lives of cancer patients. 

Jeffrey Lurie, Heller Ph.D.’87

A film industry executive and producer, Lurie became chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles football team in 1994. Under his leadership, the Eagles have won two Super Bowls, including the franchise’s first-ever win in 2017, and they’ve become a consistent playoff contender in the NFL.

“Alumni remain vital members of the Brandeis community long after they graduate, and we are delighted to recognize these three exceptional people,” says Brandeis president Arthur Levine ’70. “Their accomplishments and impact on their professions and communities are a wonderful testament to the power of a Brandeis education.” 


All three winners will come to campus in April to receive their awards.