Established in 1976, this award recognizes a unique and outstanding contribution over a period of time to the work of the technical committees under the SAE Executive Standards Committee in developing standards, specifications, technical reports, and data through cooperative research.
The medal was named in honor of Arch T. Colwell, its first recipient and 1941 SAE President. Dr. Colwell symbolized the dedication and devotion of SAE members who work to further the objectives of the SAE Executive Standards Program. The award is intended to stimulate technical committee members to greater accomplishments and the realization of satisfaction that comes from sharing their expertise.
| Year | Name | Employer |
| 2019 | Gary Besse | Bessee Expert Services LLC |
| 2018 | Robert Galyen | Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. |
| 2017 | Daniel DiMase | Honeywell International Inc. |
| 2016 | Richard Wood | SOLUS Solutions and Technologies LLC |
| 2015 | Rich Boyer | Delphi Packard Electric Systems |
| 2014 | Paramsothy Jayakumar, Ph.D. | U.S. Army TARDEC |
| 2013 | Peter Keenan | Airbus U.K. |
| 2012 | David A. Lamb, Ph.D. | U.S. Army TARDEC |
| 2011 | John C. Dalton | Boeing Co. |
| 2010 | Jianzhong Jiao, Ph.D. | Osram Opto Semiconductors Inc. |
| 2008 | Robert S. Hodder | |
| 2007 | Stanley L. Stokes | Braketec |
| 2006 | Lavern D. Wedeven, Ph.D. | Wedeven Associates |
| 2005 | Jeffrey Erion | J A Erion LLC |
| 2004 | Walter J. Overend | |
| 2003 | Frank E. Zalar | |
| 2002 | Archie E. Dillard, Ph.D. | Federal Aviation Administration |
| 2001 | Gerald H. Ritterbusch | |
| 2000 | Walker H. Flint | |
| 1999 | William M. Spreitzer | General Motors LLC |
| 1998 | Ward J. Atkinson | Sun Test Engineering |
| 1997 | Leonard W. Kozerski | GE Aircraft Engines |
| 1996 | Roger P. Daniel | Ford Motor Company |
| 1995 | Ralph K. Hillquist PE | RKH Consults Inc. |
| 1994 | Martin G. Gabriel | Martin G. Gabriel & Associates Inc. |
| 1993 | C. Julian May | Tech/Ops International |
| 1992 | Erick Koch | Grumman Corp. |
| 1991 | Thomas D. Cooper | Universal Technology Corp. |
| 1990 | Peter Griskivich | American Automobile Manufacturers Association |
| 1989 | Frank H. Walters | General Motors LLC |
| 1988 | Nathaniel Pulling, Ph.D. | |
| 1987 | Charles C. Colyer | |
| 1986 | Richard H. Kabel | |
| 1985 | Nancy A. Bundra | |
| 1984 | George P. Townsend Jr. | |
| 1983 | Ray V. Riggs | |
| 1982 | Ralph H.K. Cramer | |
| 1981 | Lawrence Hodges | Anderson Automotive Group Inc. |
| 1980 | Roy P. Trowbridge | Nestegg Marine |
| 1979 | G. Edwin Burks | |
| 1977 | William Francis Sherman Sr. |