- 2019: Rusty Gage – Honorary Doctorate of Design Degree | President of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- 2019: Frances Halsband, FAIA – Honorary Doctorate of Design Degree | American Architect and Educator
- 2018: William J.R. Curtis, Ph.D. | Architectural Historian
- 2018: Richard Louv | Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Children & Nature Network
- 2018: Roger Showley | Journalist, San Diego Union-Tribune
- 2011: Robert Mosher, FAIA | Architect, Architects Mosher Drew
- 2010: Gilbert D. Cooke, AIA | Dean Emeritus
- 2009: R. Wayne Drummond, FAIA | Dean of Architecture, University of Nebraska
- 2008: Dr. Luis Vasquez | Founder, Yantalo Peru Foundation
- 2008: Hon. Lori Saldana | Assembly Member, 76th District
- 2007: F. Wayne Donaldson, FAIA | California State Historic Preservation Officer
- 2006: Tom Anglewicz, FAIA | Austin Veum Robbins Partners
- 2006: Emanuel Rosen, FAIA | Professor Emeritus
- 2005: Gordon Chong, FAIA | President, AIA National, CEO Chong Partners Architecture
- 2004: John Eberhard, FAIA | Founding President, Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture
- 2003: Fred Gage, Ph.D. | Scientist, The Salk Institute
- 2003: Alison Whitelaw, FAIA | Practice recognized for sustainable design
- 2002: Harold R. Hay | Research Chemist and Solar Energy Pioneer
- 2002: Michael Stepner, FAIA, FAICP, FIUD | City of San Diego Architect
- 2001: Dr. Gordon Bishop | President, NewSchool of Architecture
- 2000: John Fowler | Former Assistant City Manager, City of San Diego
- 1999: Robert Imber | Executive Director, Museum of Architecture
- 1999: John Moores | Owner, Padres Baseball Team, CEO, Peregrine
- 1998: Peter Hall | Executive Director, Center City Development Corp.
- 1997: Ann Jarmusch | Architecture Editor, Union-Tribune
- 1996: Werner von Gundell | Former Director of Planning, City of Oceanside
- 1995: Stanley Foster | CEO, Foster Investment Corporation
- 1994: Dr. John MacDonald | San Diego Board of Supervisors (Retired), President Emeritus, Mira Costa College
- 1993: Harriet Gill | Founder, Friends of Architecture
- 1992: Malcolm Leland | Sculptor
- 1991: Adele Naude Santos, AIA | Dean, UCSD Graduate School of Architecture
- 1990: Dr. Jonas Salk | Medical Scientist
Architecture faculty member, Daniel Manlongat, receives the Outstanding Faculty Award from student representative, Harpreet Basi
This award is given to a member of the community who has made significant contributions to shaping the built environment.
- 2003: Frank Wolden, FIUD | Planning and Urban Design
- 2002: S. Gail Goldberg, AICP | Planning Director, City of San Diego
- 2000: Walter Rask, AIA | Director, Urban Design and Planning, Centre City Development Corp.
- 1999: Candice Lopez | Urban Art Trail
- 1998: Wayne Buss | Architect, Reincarnation Project
- 1997: Byron Wear | San Diego City Councilman
- 1996: Manuel Rodriguez | Professor, NewSchool of Architecture (Awarded Posthumously)
- 1995: James Engelke, AIA, AICP | Principal, Circa9Studios
- 1994: Susan Golding | Mayor, City of San Diego
- 1993: Max Schmidt | Center City Development Corp.
- 1992: Michael Stepner, FAIA, FAICP | City Architect, City of San Diego
- 1991: Ron Roberts, AIA | San Diego City Councilman
- 2013: Pete Garcia and David Malmuth
- 2012: Charlene Alsbaugh and Victor Parga
- 2011: Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects
- 2010: Roger Showley | The San Diego Union-Tribune
- 2008: William J. Klettke | President and CEO, ForeFront Education, Inc.
- 2007: James T. Frost, AIA | Architect and Board Member, NewSchool of Architecture & Design
- 2006: Gilbert D. Cooke, AIA | Dean, NewSchool of Architecture & Design
- 2013: Brad Hardin and Balfour Beatty Construction
- 2012: Joseph O. Wong, FAIA, NCARB
- 2010: Jack Carpenter, FAIA
- 2007: Rob Wellington Quigley, FAIA