Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening has been given the President's Medal from the university in recognition of his distinguished career in academe and for his extraordinary contributions to higher education and public health in the state of Maryland.

President William R. Brody presented Glendening with the medal at a private dinner last week on the Homewood campus. "Your administration has been marked by such forward-thinking programs as the Smart Growth initiative and your tremendous support for higher education in Maryland, including Johns Hopkins," Brody said.

The President's Medal is an honor extended by the university to individuals who have achieved unusual distinction and has been awarded to heads of state, members of Congress, a Supreme Court justice, diplomats, literary figures, academics and other noteworthy individuals. First bestowed in 1978, the medal is awarded at the discretion of the president.

Previous recipients include Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, Sen. Bob Kasten, Philippines President Corazon Aquino and author Tom Clancy. Earlier this year, author Tom Wolfe received the award, as did George Udvarhelyi, professor emeritus of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins.