The list of past recipients includes the top names from America's scientific and engineering communities, including such luminaries as Dr. Wally Broecker, Dr. James Van Allen, Dr. Benoit Mandelbrot, Dr. Lynn Margulis, and Dr. Sherwood Rowland. The medalist presents public lectures at the Desert Research Institute campuses in Reno and Las Vegas.
Nominations remain active for four years, or two nomination review cycles.