Lux et Veritas Faculty Prize

This prize recognizes a Yale faculty member who actively fosters intellectual diversity for students in and out of the classroom.

The Prize

The Lux et Veritas Faculty Prize, first awarded in 2022, recognizes a Yale faculty member who actively fosters intellectual diversity for students in and out of the classroom. Potential faculty recipients of the prize are nominated by students, alumni, and other Yale faculty. The winners are then selected by a panel of judges. The winners receive $10,000 and an award from the Buckley Institute to recognize the good work they do to support open debate and discussion in the classroom, regardless of political leaning.

Current Winner

After receiving numerous nominations from all around the university, from current students to alumni, the second annual Lux et Veritas Faculty Prize was awarded to John M. Duff, Jr. Professor of Law Amy Chua in recognition of her prize recognizes efforts to foster intellectual diversity for students in and out of the classroom. An outspoken defender of free speech, Professor Chua has won the admiration of students and alumni through her bold promotion of intellectual diversity and her dedication to teaching excellence.

Read the Press Release

Past Winners

“[Professor Chua] manages the class well so that students can share their views comfortably without fear of backlash from others. In fact, she does this in a way that generates positive energy rather than defensiveness.”

— Yale Student

“[Professor Chua] makes sure that ideological minorities feel comfortable and gives a lot of support behind the scenes.”

— Yale Student

“[Professor Chua] doesn’t just support ideological diversity in some abstract sense in the classroom, but goes out of her way to help the students who hold those views feel less alienated.”

— Yale Student

“[Dr. Levy-Eichel] not only inspired me to continue learning even after graduating from college, but also taught me how to critique the world while at the same time maintaining a deep sense of humility about how little I truly know. I can honestly say that he truly made my undergraduate education worth it.”

— Yale Student

“The discussions in [Dr. Levy-Eichel’s] courses were vibrant and open yet challenging in a manner that promoted growth. I believe that Dr. Levy-Eichel improved his students’ clarity of thought and communication skills through these discussions… His courses serve as models for the promise of seminars at Yale.”

— Yale Student