Sanchez Awarded Yale Medal

David Sanchez ’84  MA, MPhil 

David Sanchez is a dedicated volunteer with four decades of service to Yale and its alumni community. He is known to be simply unstoppable once he identifies a need. This is best exemplified by his role as co-founder and inaugural chair of the Yale Day of Service (YDOS) for its first two years. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the YDOS annually involves thousands of Yale alumni worldwide. Sanchez was instrumental in launching this new program concept, fashioned YDOS service projects for many Yale Clubs from scratch while building a strong foundation and vital partnerships throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Singapore to ensure the program’s success and long-term growth.

Sanchez’s reputation as a trailblazer who gets things done has also resulted in his being elected to lead the Yale Latino Alumni Network (YLAN) serving over 7500 Latinx alumni. As chair and co-founder, he recruited the network’s inaugural board and has provided financial resources to ensure YLAN’s continued success.

He also served as the president of Yale Club of South Florida (YCSF) for fifteen years,  revitalizing the organization with expanded membership and the establishment of an all-Ivy+ association of regional alumni clubs.

Sanchez served twice on the YAA Board of Governors, first in an ex-officio capacity as president of the Graduate and Professional Student Senate and subsequently as a board member from 2009 to 2012.

He currently serves on the Graduate School Alumni Association Board and was recently elected secretary. Overall, Sanchez has inspired volunteer service to the university on many fronts, from the ground up to the highest levels, with his efforts redounding to the ultimate benefit of Yale and its alumni body.