WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro today honored Yale Professor Vincent Scully, an architectural historian and educator, as one of the 2004 National Medal of Arts winners. Scully traveled to Washington to be presented with his award by President Bush in an Oval Office ceremony.

Professor Scully, who has been described by world-renowned architect Phillip Johnson as “the most influential architectural teacher ever”, is a strong believer in the power of images to make lasting impressions. He became widely known for his standing-room only lectures, where he taught students in darkened classrooms to absorb the slides, not just to write down every word of his lecture.

“Vincent Scully has redefined the way students perceive architecture and made tremendous contributions to this field,” said DeLauro. “That Vincent Scully is recognized with a national award today is proof that his achievements stretch beyond his celebrated lectures at Yale to the national art community.”

The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States Government. It is given "to individuals or groups who, in the President's judgment, are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.” A maximum of twelve awards are granted annually. Previous National Medal of Arts winners include cellist Yo-Yo Ma , writer Maya Angelou, dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, and entertainer Barbra Streisand.