Two former Stanford trustees, Ruth Porat, ’79, and Ron Spogli, ’70, are this year’s recipients of the Gold Spike Award, Stanford’s highest annual honor for volunteer service to the university. President Jonathan Levin conferred the awards on April 18 at a dinner held on campus.

The Gold Spike Award is presented by Stanford Associates, an honorary organization of Stanford alumni who have demonstrated significant and long-standing volunteer service to the university. The award is named for the gold spike that was the final link in the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, driven home by California Sen. Leland Stanford in Promontory, Utah, in 1869. A century later, the university established the Gold Spike Award to honor volunteer leadership. Stanford Associates assumed responsibility for the award in 1973.

Ruth Porat is “one of Stanford’s most important and influential advisors,” Stanford Associates said in its announcement, noting that “with inspiring dedication, she has shared her wisdom and provided strategic support across the university.” Through her extensive career, including roles as CFO of Morgan Stanley and president/CIO of Alphabet and Google, Porat has enhanced Stanford’s presence on the East Coast and fostered meaningful alumni engagement. Her commitment to the university is reflected in many ways, from hosting vital gatherings that bring together Stanford leaders and faculty to creating platforms for thought-provoking discussions that further the university’s goals.

During her decade-long tenure on the Board of Trustees, where she served as vice chair, Porat demonstrated a unique ability to blend analytical decision-making with a compassionate understanding of the Stanford community. Her leadership of the board’s Audit and Finance Committees resulted in decisions to support growth, manage risk, and improve efficiency. Staff and volunteer colleagues have praised her ability to artfully navigate complex topics while remaining focused on Stanford’s mission and values.

In addition to her advisory roles, Porat and her husband, Anthony Paduano, have made significant philanthropic contributions, including gifts for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program as well as undergraduate scholarships, the Dan Porat Postdoctoral Fellowship, and graduate fellowships in chemistry and the natural sciences, demonstrating their commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and supporting groundbreaking research.

Ron Spogli is “a devoted champion of Stanford who, through his global leadership, contributions, and influence, has uniquely strengthened Stanford’s presence in the world,” noted Stanford Associates. A former U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino, Spogli served as a member of the university’s Board of Trustees for 10 years. His dedication to Stanford reflects both his passion for international relations and his commitment to advancing the university’s global impact. Together with his wife, Georgia, and longtime friend and business partner Brad Freeman, ’64, Spogli provided a transformational gift to the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, making possible the efforts by faculty and students at the institute to address urgent worldwide challenges.

Spogli’s engagement with Stanford spans multiple decades; he has made an indelible mark in Southern California, in particular, where he has played a pivotal role in expanding the university’s regional footprint. As regional chair for Stanford’s Campaign for Undergraduate Education, which ran from 2001 to 2005, he laid the groundwork for impactful initiatives that continue to benefit students today. His thoughtful leadership as a founding co-chair of the Stanford Southern California Advisors has provided critical guidance on fundraising priorities, reinforcing the ties between the university and its alumni network. Spogli remains a significant volunteer in the region, serving as a connector, mentor, and advisor to multiple important philanthropic partners for Stanford.