Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends

Brandeis celebrates the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award winners

April 26, 2026

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

Jeffrey Lurie, Loretta Devine, and Sheila Efron Taube pose at the Alumni Achievement Awards banquet

Brandeis celebrated the winners of the 2026 Alumni Achievement Awards at a ceremony on April 19. 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 are:

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 award-winning performance on “Grey’s Anatomy” and a starring role in the film “Waiting to Exhale.” 

Sheila Efron Taube ’63, P’89

Taube is a pioneer in cancer research who made her mark at the National Cancer Institute, where she served in leadership roles in the Cancer Diagnosis Branch and 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 PhD’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 2018, and they’ve become a consistent playoff contender in the NFL.

“Alumni remain vital members of the Brandeis community long after they graduate. They are inspiring leaders who create meaningful impact in their professions and communities; they exemplify the importance of a liberal arts education; and they embody Brandeisian values in many ways,” says Brandeis President Arthur Levine ’70. “The Alumni Achievement Awards provide a wonderful opportunity to honor and celebrate exceptional alumni. Their accomplishments and influence in the world are a wonderful testament to the power of a Brandeis education.”