The Carnegie Corporation of New York has announced the recipients of its newly established Academic Leadership Award, which recognizes leaders of institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to liberal arts and have initiated and supported curricular innovations.

Three presidents of major universities were singled out for the award. They are: Jared L. Cohon of Carnegie Mellon University, Henry S. Bienen of Northwestern University, and Don M. Randel of the University of Chicago. Each will receive $500,000 to be used for their academic priorities. The selection process for the award, which will be given periodically, is initiated by the Corporation and does not depend on external nominators or recommendations.

"These academic leaders have been articulate voices in defense of liberal arts, robust undergraduate education, the university's role in K-12 education, and the university's commitment to their cities and communities," said Carnegie Corporation president Vartan Gregorian. "All three have demonstrated the fact that excellence in leadership is much more than effective management. They all believe in a tradition of academic excellence and have proven that presidential leadership and faculty quality are the critical elements that distinguish one university from another."