Award is one of the most prestigious honors university bestows on its alumni

Lars Bildsten of the University of California, Santa Barbara, is the 2026 recipient of the Joseph Sullivant Medal, created in 1920 by Thomas Mendenhall, one of Ohio State’s founding faculty, and named for Joseph Sullivant, a member of the university's first Board of Trustees. “Professor Bildsten’s research into the behavior of stars advances our understanding of the universe. His ongoing support of Ohio State’s academic community makes him an exceptional alumnus and a worthy recipient of the Sullivant Medal,” said Ohio State President Ravi V. Bellamkonda. “Researchers and scholars like him inspire us toward greater discovery and a relentless commitment to academic excellence.”