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Two visionary leaders — one in athletics and the other in academics — received Sesquicentennial Medals of Excellence on Nov. 20, 2014. ������ý���� wrestling head coach Gary Taylor, who has more than 400 victories under this belt, has brought national acclaim to ������ý����’s wrestling team, and Virginia Cyrus, who founded ������ý����’s Gender and Sexuality Studies program, were both recognized at separate events at the University.

The medals, which are being presented throughout ������ý����’s sesquicentennial year, recognize the achievements of alumni, board members, faculty, staff, friends and organizations that have gone above and beyond in assisting the University better serve its students.

Cyrus, who ushered in the University’s women’s studies program, was one of the first-wave feminists and an advocate for feminist studies. She joined ������ý���� in 1975 as an assistant professor of English and became associate professor five years later. In 1979, Cyrus was named director of women's studies at ������ý����, and in 1986, she was the first recipient of the ������ý���� College Woman of the Year Award.

The medal was given at an event jointly presented by the ������ý���� Women’s Leadership Council and the Gender and Sexuality Studies program, which was celebrating its 35th anniversary. Cyrus, who died in 2001, was represented by members of her family, who accepted the medal on her behalf.

Before the wrestling match on the same evening, Coach Gary Taylor received his medal. Over 36 years as head coach, Taylor has compiled 404 victories, the second highest total in the NCAA among active Division I coaches, including 13 conference championships. A seven-time East Coast Wrestling Association’s Coach of the Year, Taylor guided ������ý���� into a new league, the Eastern Wrestling League, for the 2013-14 season and finished 4-2 in the league with three individual champions and five more NCAA Qualifiers. Thirteen of Taylor's wrestlers have earned All-America honors, including two in the last eight years.

“Receiving that from the University is quite humbling,” said Taylor, who earned a master’s degree in school administration and supervision in from ������ý���� 1982. “I thank the committee and the administration for viewing it worthy.”

After the medal presentation, the Broncs beat the Wisconsin Badgers 20-19, upsetting the No. 16 team in the country.

������ý���� established the Sesquicentennial Medal of Excellence on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. Throughout its sesquicentennial year, ������ý���� is presenting medals at an array of events. All recipients will again be recognized at the April 18, 2015, Sesquicentennial Gala.