College Honors & Awards
Fellowships
A number of fellowships are awarded for summer research, internships, and other specialized educational opportunities.
The Roy Ans Fellowship in Jewish American Studies is open to students of all religious backgrounds and beliefs. It offers a stipend for him/her to pursue a research project related to the Jewish-American experience in any area of study offered by Washington College. Research will normally be conducted by a sophomore or junior working in the spring semester and presented during the month of May. Applications will be judged by a faculty committee and awarded competitively. The Ans Fund is administered by the Provost.
The Bennett International Studies Fund supports students' internships with the U.S. State Department, the United Nations, and other agencies with an international focus and funds student participation in Model U.N. programs, national conferences on world affairs, and summer study abroad opportunities. The Bennett Fund is administered by the International Studies Program.
The Gerda Blumenthal Phi Beta Kappa Award is given to a student who best exemplifies the ideals and aspirations of Phi Beta Kappa and Washington College. The award is given to a rising sophomore or junior to support special scholarly work in the humanities, such as collaborative faculty- student research or study abroad. The award is overseen by the Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Washington College.
The Douglass Cater Society of Junior Fellows is the College's flagship academic enrichment program, rewarding creativity, initiative, and intellectual curiosity with competitive grants to support self-directed undergraduate research and scholarship anywhere in the world. Requiring a GPA of 3.6 or better, membership in the Society is offered to students who achieve distinction among the school's top scholars. Grants are highly competitive and awarded by the Junior Fellows Advisory Council.
The Comegys Bight Fellows Program supports summer research fellowships offered on a competitive basis to sophomores and juniors doing research in American history, politics, arts, literature, and culture. The research is often, but not always, related to a thesis project. The fellowships are administered by the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience.
The Frederick Douglass Fellowship Program supports sophomores or juniors to work on a spring semester research project related to African-American studies or related fields (women's studies, gay studies, Latino studies, etc.). The Douglass Fellowship Program is administered by the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience.
The Goldstein Program in Public Affairs supports internships, participation in student conferences, and other projects. It is administered by the Curator of the Goldstein Program in Public Affairs.
The Richard L. Harwood Fellowship in Journalism is awarded annually to the editor- elect of the Washington College student newspaper, The Elm, and other editors elect as funds permit. The fellowship helps to underwrite summer internships at newspapers selected by the student editors and approved by the faculty advisor to The Elm.
Typically the newspaper of choice is a smalltown paper willing to match the Harwood Fellowship Program stipend. The fellowship program is administered by the Board of the Rose O'Neill Literary House Press.
The Clarence Hodson Prize rewards creativity, initiative, and intellectual curiosity with a competitive grant to support an internship, undergraduate research project, or other form of study anywhere in the world. Requiring a GPA of 3.4 or better, the prize is offered to a sophomore, junior, or senior majoring in the fine or performing arts, with a preference for a major in music, who has achieved distinction among Washington College's top scholars. A report on the funded project internship must be made before graduation.
Hodson Science Scholarships fund student- faculty collaborative summer research in the natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science. The fellowships are awarded to incoming freshmen on a competitive basis who are carrying a GPA of 3.8 - 4.0 and SAT scores of 1200 - 1600. The fellows may elect to use their stipend between their sophomore and junior or their junior and senior years, provided they have declared a qualifying major and will undertake a research assignment in that discipline. Individual projects are overseen by members of the faculty of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
The Simon Hultman Travel Award honors Simon Hultman '04, who embodied the very essence of International Studies. In addition to studying abroad at Pécs University in Hungary and Meiji Gakuin University in Japan, Simon was active in the International Studies Council and a regular participant in our Model U.N. programs. He was also devoted to raising awareness of cultural diversity on campus and a genuine source of support for international students studying at the College. The award is given to an International Studies major to support study abroad. Selection criteria are based on academic merit and a spirit of adventure.
The William B. Johnson Business Internship Awards fund summer internships for students interested in careers in business. The award is open to all majors, but recipients should possess the three values that motivated William Johnson to achieve great success in business and industry: scholarship, service, and character. Selection is made by the Chair of the Department of Business Management.
The SJK Fund for International Studies funds summer study abroad opportunities and internships. It is administered by the International Studies Department.
The Sophie Kerr Fund offers to incoming freshmen merit awards that may be renewed for four consecutive years. The program is administered by the College president and English faculty.
The Louise and Rodney Layton Fund supports summer research internships for upperclassmen who are science majors. It is administered by the faculty of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.The Robert W. and Louisa C. Duemling Presidential Fellows Program is a nonresidential, part-time, year-long opportunity to study the U.S. Presidency, the public policymaking process, and the Chief Executive's relations with Congress, allies, the media, and the American public. One junior or senior each year is supported to go to The Center for the Study of the Presidency in Washington, D.C., on several occasions during the year for briefings by policymakers, journalists, and leading scholars. In addition, with the help of a mentor drawn from the public policy community and/or government, each fellow researches, writes, presents, and publishes an original paper on an issue of the modern Presidency. The Robert W. and Louisa C. Duemling Presidential Fellowship is administered by the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience.
The Summer Science Research Program funds research projects in the natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science during a 10-week summer session. Poster presentations of the results are given in the summer and frequently during the academic year at national and regional meetings of scientific societies and organizations.
The Summer Science Research Program is administered by the faculty of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Honorary Fraternities and Societies
Alpha Kappa Delta is an international honor society dedicated to the investigation of humanity for the purpose of service and the acknowledgment and promotion of excellence in scholarship in the study of sociology.
Beta Beta Beta, Rho Iota Chapter, is a national honor society for students dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending the boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research.
Lambda Alpha is the National Collegiate Honor Society for Anthropology. It was founded for the purpose of encouraging and stimulating scholarship and research in anthropology by recognizing and honoring superior achievement in the discipline among students, faculty and other persons engaged in the study of anthropology.
Nu Delta Alpha is a national honor society recognizing high scholarship and personal interest in the field of dance.
Omicron Delta Epsilon is an international honor society recognizing high achievement and strong personal interest in economics.
As the most respected and effective leadership honor society, Omicron Delta Kappa strives for excellence in leadership and character development. ODK identifies, honors and develops leaders in collegiate and community life; encourages collaboration among students, faculty, staff and alumni to advance leadership; and promotes, publicizes and enhances its ideals. ODK expects adherence to the highest standards of Scholarship, Service, Integrity, Character and Fellowship.
Order of Omega is the national Greek leadership honor society for juniors and seniors who attain a G.P.A. above the All-Greek average and who embody a high standard of leadership.
Phi Alpha Theta is an international honor society recognizing high standards in the study of, or writing of, history.
Phi Beta Kappa, Theta of Maryland, sheltered at Washington College, is the oldest undergraduate honors organization in the United States. It celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences.
Phi Sigma Tau, Delta Chapter, is a national honor society recognizing high scholarship and personal interest in philosophy.
The purpose of Pi Delta Phi is to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and its literature, to increase the knowledge and appreciation of the Frenchspeaking world, and to stimulate and encourage French cultural activities. Students must be either a French studies major or minor, have a minimum 3.0 GPA in French courses, and demonstrate a commitment to the study of French language and literature.
Pi Lambda Theta is a national honor society recognizing high standards in the study of education.
Pi Sigma Alpha is a national honor society in political science recognizing students in the upper third of their class who have demonstrated productive scholarship and personal interest in government, international relations, or public administration.
Psi Chi is a national honor society in psychology awarding distinction to students in the upper 35% of their class who have demonstrated productive scholarship in psychology.
Sigma Beta Delta is a national honor society in business, recognizing students in the top 20% of their class who aspire toward personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind.
Sigma Delta Pi, Sigma Zeta Chapter is a national honor society in Spanish recognizing students in the upper 35% of their class who have demonstrated superior academic achievement and commitment to the study of Spanish language and Hispanic literature and culture.Sigma Tau Delta is an international honor society whose central purpose is to confer distinction upon outstanding students of the English language and literature.
Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, was founded in 1886 as an honor society for science and engineering. Today, Sigma Xi is an international research society whose programs and activities promote the health of the scientific enterprise and honor scientific achievement. In addition, Sigma Xi also endeavors to encourage support of original work in science and technology and promote an appreciation within society at large for the role research has played in human progress. Among its chief mission Sigma Xi seeks to foster worldwide interactions among science, technology and society. Membership is awarded to students who have accomplished substantive research achievements and, in the judgment of the members of the Washington College Chapter of Sigma Xi, have demonstrated exceptional promise as research scientists.
Individual Awards
A number of awards honor individual members of the College community for special achievements in scholarship, athletics, and leadership. The following are awarded at commencement or appropriate occasions during the academic year:
Academic Honors And Prizes Conferred by the Entire Faculty
The Louis L. Goldstein '35 Award is awarded to a graduating senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, has demonstrated unusual interest, enthusiasm and potential in the field of public affairs.
Eugene B. Casey Medal is awarded to a senior woman voted by the faculty to be outstanding in the qualities of scholarship, character, leadership and campus citizenship.
Henry W.C. Catlin 1894 Medal is awarded to a senior man voted by the faculty to be outstanding in the qualities of scholarship, character, leadership and campus citizenship.
Clark-Porter Medal is awarded to the student whose character and personal integrity, in the opinion of the faculty, have most clearly enhanced the quality of campus life. Created by Charles B. Clark '34 in memory of Harry B. Porter, class of 1905.
George Washington Medal and Award is awarded to the senior who shows the greatest promise of understanding and realizing in life and work the ideals of a liberal education.
Other Academic Honors And Prizes
The First-Year Scholarship Medal is awarded to the first-year student who attains the highest academic average in the class.
The American Studies Program Senior Capstone Experience Award is awarded to a graduating American studies major with the most outstanding senior research project.
The Alumni Medal is awarded by the alumni of the College to the member of the sophomore class who attains the highest cumulative average in the class.
The Lynette Nielson Art Award is given annually to acknowledge excellence in art.
The Art History Award is presented annually to acknowledge excellence in the field of art history.
The Department of Biology Professional Award is awarded to the graduating biology major who has demonstrated academic excellence, is pursuing a professional degree, and has a strong potential for success in a professional field.
The Department of Biology Research Award is awarded to the graduating biology major who has demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to undergraduate research, who is pursuing a higher academic degree with a research component, and who shows great promise for success in biological research.
The Department of Biology Award of Special Recognition is awarded on special occasion to the graduating biology major who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and exceptional depth of understanding in the field of biology.
The Department of Biology Teaching Award is awarded on special occasion to the graduating biology major who has demonstrated academic excellence and exceptional dedication to science education.
The Department of Business Management Award is given to a graduating business major who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of scholarship, character and leadership.
The Department of Business Management Senior Capstone Experience Award is awarded to a graduating business major with the most outstanding senior research project, demonstrating high scholarship and analytical skills.
The Stanley A. Schottland Business Leadership Award is presented annually by the Department of Business Management to a Washington College senior in any major who has demonstrated outstanding academic ability and leadership potential for business. The prize includes a cash award upon graduation, and an additional award for tuition expenses for an accredited business school entered after at least two years of employment in a participating or approved company. Two additional finalists will each receive a cash award.
The Joseph H. McLain '37 Prize is awarded to the graduating senior who shows the greatest promise for making a future contribution to human understanding of chemistry. Endowed in 1982 by members of the American Pyrotechnics Association.
The James R. Miller '51 Award For Excellence in Chemistry is given annually to an outstanding senior majoring in chemistry or premed who has demonstrated special interest and high academic achievement in chemistry.
The Stewart Drama Award is given annually to a senior who has made outstanding contributions to the College through dramatic and speaking ability. Endowed by Pearl Griffin Stewart, Class of 1905.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of economics.
The Dr. Davy H. McCall Prize In International Economics is awarded to a graduating senior majoring in economics who has demonstrated special interest, high academic achievement and superior oral and written abilities in international economics.
The Wall Street Journal Award is given to an outstanding senior majoring in economics.
The Anna Melvin Hague 1905 Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student whose demonstrated qualities of scholarship, character, and dedication will make the most effective contribution to the field of public education.
The Veryan Beacham Prize is awarded to a junior or student who is two semesters from graduation who has produced a body of writing on any intellectual subject or in any creative genre. The prize is the publication of that manuscript in a fine edition, which will be distributed by the College and others to professionals and alumni who are interested in exceptional students graduating from Washington College.
The Haddock Prize is awarded to the graduating senior who has demonstrated dedication to improving publications at Washington College, as well as strong potential for a future in the field of publications.
The Emil J. C. Hildenbrand Memorial Medal is awarded to the senior who attains the highest average in English during the four years of study. Given by the Washington D.C. Chapter of the Alumni Association.
Sophie Kerr Prize is awarded to the senior having the best ability and promise for future fulfillment in the field of literary endeavor.
The Writers Union Award is given for outstanding service to the Writers Union. A gift of Robert L. Chamberlin, Jr. '48 in memory of Mary Lou Chamberlin '49.
The Environmental Studies Award is given to the graduating environmental studies major who, through academic accomplishment and extracurricular involvement, shows the greatest potential for making significant lifetime contributions to helping solve the world's environmental problems.
The Gender Studies Award is awarded to a graduating senior who has displayed unusual interest and/or scholarship in the field of Gender Studies.
The Arthur A. Knapp '39 Memorial Prize in History is awarded to the graduating history major who, in the opinion of the Department, has displayed unusual interest, enthusiasm and ability in the field of history.
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Maryland, Eastern Shore Region, Scholarship Prize is awarded to the student who, in the judgment of the Department of History, has done outstanding work in colonial American history.
The Phi Alpha Theta Award is presented to a graduating history major for excellent historical scholarship.
The Jane Huston Goodfellow Memorial Prize is awarded to a graduating senior, majoring in a natural science (biology, chemistry or physics), who has an abiding appreciation of the arts and humanities and has shown scholastic excellence.
The Inter-Fraternity-Pan Hellenic Loving Cups, given annually to the fraternity and sorority with the highest scholastic index for the preceding year, are inscribed with the names of the current winners.
The International Studies Award is given to a graduating major who, in the opinion of the Department, demonstrates an exceptional understanding and interest in international affairs.
The Simon Hultman Senior Award is awarded to the graduating senior who best embodies the spirit and enthusiasm for international studies and travel.
The Tai Sung An Memorial Prize is awarded to the graduating international student who, in the opinion of the faculty of the International Studies interdisciplinary major, has exemplified in an exceptional manner the benefits of inter-cultural education on our campus.
The Erika and Henry Salloch Prize is given by the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures, in memory of Erika and Henry Salloch, to the student whose achievement and personal commitment have contributed to the understanding of other cultures.
The William Gover Duvall '30 Prize is awarded to a graduating senior who, in the judgment of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, has demonstrated outstanding achievement and shows great promise in the field of mathematics.
The Alpha Chi Omega Music Award is given to a senior in recognition of excellence in music.
The Clarence Hodson Prize (please see fellowships section).
The Gold Pentagon Awards are awarded to one senior and one alumnus, faculty or friend of the College, selected by the Omicron Delta Kappa Society, in recognition of meritorious service to Washington College.
The Department of Philosophy and Religion Award is given annually to a graduating senior majoring in philosophy, recognizing outstanding ability in, and engagement with, the field of philosophy and religion.
The Department of Physics Award is given to a graduating physics major who has demonstrated academic excellence and who shows promise for success in the physical sciences.
The Political Science Award is given to a graduating major who in the opinion of the Department, demonstrates a superior theoretical and practical understanding of political life.
The Psychology Department Award is given to the senior psychology major who shows outstanding promise in the field of psychology.
The Psychology Department Capstone Experience Award is presented to the graduating senior majoring in psychology who, in the opinion of the Department, should be recognized for successful completion and presentation of an exceptional capstone project.
The Virginia M. Conner '85 Psychology Award is presented annually to the outstanding graduating senior or seniors majoring in Psychology who, in the opinion of the Department, have demonstrated superior scholarship and service to the Department and College.
The Psychology Department Outstanding Achievement Award is given to senior psychology majors in recognition of exceptionally high levels of performance in the field of psychology.
The Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society Award is presented to students who have accomplished substantive research achievements and, in the judgment of the members of the Washington College Chapter of Sigma Xi, have demonstrated exceptional promise as research scientists.
Anthropology Award is given to the graduating major or majors who have shown exceptional understanding of anthropology and other cultures, past or present.Anthropology Service Award is given to the graduating major who demonstrates the greatest dedication to public service in anthropology at Washington College.
The Lambda Alpha Gamma of Maryland Chapter Senior Award is awarded to the graduating senior in Anthropology for demonstrating the most outstanding formal writing skill as the chapter's candidate for the National Lambda Alpha Scholarship.
The Margaret Horsley Award is given to the graduating major or majors who, in the opinion of the faculty and students of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, have shown in his or her work the clearest understanding of human social behavior.
Sociology Service Award is awarded to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the Department and its students, has made, through service, the greatest contribution to the sociology program and to Washington College.
The Norman James Humanities Award For Excellence is given by the James family to the senior majoring in Humanities who has shown academic distinction and represents the ideals of humanistic society.
The W. Dennis Berry '87 Leadership Award is presented annually to the senior or seniors who most clearly exhibit those characteristics of charismatic leadership that distinguished Mr. Berry's service to Washington College.
The Karen Kaitz Emerick Award is awarded to one or more senior students, chosen by the Executive Committee of the Student Government Association, who have demonstrated strong character and good academic standing, and who have been leaders in community and volunteer service.
The Penny J. Fall Award is given annually by the Washington College Student Government Association to the female athlete who most successfully continues, through service to the College, the tradition and legacy set by Professor Fall. The recipient is chosen for her leadership on campus and her ability to conceive, organize and execute academic and extracurricular activities that have benefited the entire Washington College community.
The Jonathan A. Taylor, Jr. Leadership Award is given to the member of the Washington College Student Government Association who diligently and effectively incorporates progressive thought when addressing the needs and demands of the modern collegiate environment.
The Non-Traditional Student Award was established in 1991 to celebrate academic success by a non-traditional student in the graduating class.
Outstanding Community Service Recognition is awarded to senior students who have committed themselves to community service.
The Visitors and Governors Medal, given by the trustees of the College, is awarded to the junior with the highest cumulative average in the class.
Athletic Honors And Prizes
The Doris T. Bell '50 Award is given to the senior woman with the highest cumulative average who has won a varsity letter during the year.
The Alfred Reddish Award is given to the senior man with the highest cumulative average who has won a varsity letter during the year.
The Thomas Reeder Spedden '17 Medal is awarded to graduating students for academic standing and achievement in athletics.
The Eldridge Eliason Award is given annually to the male student and female student who, with scholastic standing in the upper half of the class, have accomplished the most in the field of athletics.
The Senior Athletic Award is given annually to the male student and the female student who, in the opinion of the Department, achieved the most in athletics at Washington College.
Sho'men Club Award is given annually to the male student and female student who, in the opinion of the department, by cooperation, loyalty, sportsmanship, spirit and industry, contributed the most to the development of athletics at Washington College.
Faculty Awards
The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching encourages and recognizes outstanding teaching at Washington College.