In 2006, the Columbia University Engineering Alumni Association (CEAA) created the "Samuel Johnson Medal for Distinguished Achievement Beyond the Realm of Science or Engineering". The medal seeks to commemorate Samuel Johnson's life and emphasis on a well-rounded person applying their training in fields beyond their formal education. The Samuel Johnson Medal honors the highest achievement across the entire arc of human endeavor wherever rigor and methodical thinking and actions are applied beyond the traditional fields of science and engineering. Such fields may include education, law, public affairs, business, social sciences, architecture, and the arts - whether it is in commerce, public service or academe.