Hutchings awarded medal of achievement

Robert Hutchings, recently chair of the U.S. National Intelligence Council and presently a diplomat-in-residence at the Woodrow Wilson School, has been awarded the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement.

The medal was awarded to Hutchings "in recognition of his effective leadership, broad strategic vision and commitment to analytic excellence" during his tenure as NIC chair from February 2003 to February 2005. According to the citation signed by Director of Central Intelligence Porter Goss, "Hutchings provided strong leadership" as NIC chair, "attracting new talent, creating innovative analytic portfolios and enlarging [the NIC's] strategic focus."

"Hutchings' accomplishments reflect the finest traditions of the federal service, bringing honor and credit to the [U.S.] intelligence community," the citation notes.

Hutchings came to Princeton in 1997 as assistant dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Previously, he had served as director of international studies at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and as a special adviser, with the rank of ambassador, to former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker III, a member of Princeton's class of 1952. Hutchings also has been director for European affairs at the National Security Council and deputy director of Radio Free Europe. He was on a public service leave of absence from Princeton while chairing the National Intelligence Council.

The NIC is a center of strategic thinking within the U.S. government, reporting to the director of central intelligence and providing the president and senior policy-makers with analyses of foreign policy issues.