Benjamin Rush Strong Medal

In 1915 wealthy financier Benjamin Rush Strong left the bulk of his considerable estate to UT. His family contested the will. Following two mistrials, a settlement was worked out in 1919 that provided funds to UT to construct the Sophronia Strong Hall; to establish the Benjamin Rush Strong Loan Fund, directed to agriculture students; and to provide for the annual Rush Strong Medal. Strong’s will stipulated that a gold medal, the value of not less than $15 nor more than $25, would be presented annually during commencement exercises to the student (male or female) who composed the best essay upon The Value of Truth. The essays, he specified, were to be judged by the UT president and other disinterested persons to be selected each year by the faculty or board of trustees.