The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University named Cornell President David J. Skorton the winner of its 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award April 25.

Skorton graduated from Feinberg in 1974. He accepted the award during a ball at Chicago's Ritz-Carlton hotel that celebrated Skorton's 35th medical school reunion and Northwestern's sesquicentennial.

"I can't claim to be a former astronaut, like Joseph Kerwin, who was honored in 2007," Skorton said in his acceptance remarks. "But I am a grateful graduate, thankful for the education I received at the Feinberg School of Medicine."

Larry Jameson, Northwestern vice president and Feinberg dean, presented the award, citing Skorton's achievements as "an experienced administrator, board-certified cardiologist, biomedical researcher, musician, and advocate for the arts and humanities."

Skorton also received his bachelor's degree from Northwestern, in 1974. The university recognized Skorton's outstanding achievements with an Alumni Merit Award in 2006.