Senior Awards Criteria

This page outlines the awards presented at the Senior Award Ceremony each June, along with the criteria for each award.

AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM
  • The David Strauss Prize in American Studies – Awarded for the best paper written by a graduating senior in his or her junior or senior year in any field of American Studies.
ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY
  • The Raymond L. Hightower Award – Awarded to a graduating senior for excellence in and commitment to the disciplines of sociology and anthropology and leadership in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology.
ART AND ART HISTORY
  • The Lilia Chen Award in Art– Awarded to students in their junior or senior year who distinguish themselves through their work in ceramics, sculpture, or painting, and who exhibit strong progress in their understanding of art.
  • The George Eaton Errington Prize – Awarded to an outstanding senior art major.
  • THE Michael Waslowsky Prize – awarded to an outstanding junior or senior art major.
BIOLOGY
  • The Biology In The Liberal Arts Prize – awarded to one or more senior majors who have demonstrated exemplary interdisciplinary work in Biology and a non-science discipline.
  • The H. Lewis Batts Prize – awarded to the senior who has done the most to support the activities of the Biology Department and to further the spirit of collegiality among students and faculty in the Department.
  • The Robert Bzdyl Prize In Marine Biology – awarded to one or more students with demonstrated interest and ability in marine biology or related fields.
  • The Diebold Scholar Award – given to one or more seniors in recognition of excellence in the oral or poster presentation of the SIP at the Diebold Symposium.
  • The William E. Praeger Prize – established by the faculty in the Biology Department and awarded to the most outstanding senior major in Biology based on academic achievement in the discipline.
CHEMISTRY and BIOCHEMISTRY
  • The Annual Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry recognizes an undergraduate student who displays an aptitude for a career in analytical chemistry.
  • The Annual Undergraduate Award in Biological Chemistry recognizes a graduating senior who displays a significant aptitude for biochemistry or chemical biology and encourages further interest in the field.
  • The Annual Undergraduate Award in Inorganic Chemistry recognizes an undergraduate student planning on pursuing graduate studies in chemistry.
  • The Annual Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry recognizes two senior students who display a significant aptitude for organic chemistry and encourages further interest in the field.
  • The Annual Undergraduate in Physical Chemistry recognizes outstanding achievement by an undergraduate in physical chemistry and encourages further pursuits in the field.
  • The Outstanding Chemistry Student from Kalamazoo College, sponsored by the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society, is given to the graduating senior who has demonstrated leadership in the chemistry department and plans to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.
  • The Jeff Bartz Community in Chemistry Award is given to one or more seniors who best exemplify having fun while building community in the department, continuing the work of Dr. Jeff Bartz.
  • The Kurt Kaufman Fellow given annually to seniors who receive Honors in the Senior Integrated Project (SIP) conducted with faculty in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.
CLASSICS
  • The Provost’s Prize in Classics – Awarded to that student who writes the best essay on a classical subject
  • The Clara H. Buckley Prize for Excellence In Latin – Awarded to an outstanding student of the language of the ancient Romans.
  • The Departmental Prize in Greek – Awarded to an outstanding student of the language of classical Greece.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
  • The Provost Prize in Computer Science – Awarded to a senior for excellence in academic work in a computer science major.
CRITICAL ETHNIC STUDIES
  • The Cassandra Solis ‘16 Prize in Critical Ethnic Studies (named in honor of K’s first Critical Ethnic Studies major) – Awarded annually to a senior CES major for their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to building community.
EAST ASIAN STUDIES
  • The Chinese Outstanding Achievement Award – Recognizes seniors who have excelled in the study of the Chinese language and China-related subjects on campus and abroad in China.
  • The Japanese National Honor Society, College Chapter – Awarded in recognition of the student’s achievement in their study of the Japanese language and for their overall academic excellence.
ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS
  • The Robert and Karen Rhoa Prize in Business – Awarded to a senior business major who has demonstrated significant achievement in entrepreneurship, finance, management or marketing.
  • The Robert And Karen Rhoa Prize For Outstanding Senior Individualized Project in Business – Awarded to a senior business major who has demonstrated significant achievement in entrepreneurship, finance, management or marketing through the creation, execution and presentation of their Senior Individual Project.  
  • The William G. Howard Memorial Prize – Awarded to a senior for excellence in academic work in an economics major.
  • The Provost Prize in Economics – Awarded to a senior for excellence in academic work in an economics major.
  • The E. Bruce Baxter Memorial Award – Awarded to a senior for outstanding achievement in the field of political science.
  • The William G. Howard Prize – Awarded for excellence in a year’s work in political science.
  • The Eugene P. Stermer Award in Public Administration – Awarded to a student in public policy and/or international affairs for excellence in academic work of the senior year.
ENGLISH
  • The Griffin Prize – Awarded to the senior English major who, like Professor Gail Griffin, demonstrates an exceptional ability to bridge his/her analytical and creative work in the English department.
  • The Bruce E. Mills Award – Awarded to a senior major for excellence in writing, either literary criticism or creative nonfiction, about race and ethnicity, in honor of the enduring departmental legacy of Dr. Mill’s research, writing, and teaching of African American literature.
  • The Elwood H. & Elizabeth H. Schneider Prize in English – Awarded for outstanding and creative work in English done by a student who is not an English major.
  • The Mary Clifford Stetson Prize – Awarded for excellence in English essay writing by a senior.
  • The Dwight and Leola Stocker Prize – Awarded for excellence in English writing: prose or poetry.
  • The Charles Lewis Williams – Award for Oratory excellence at the English SIP Symposium.
FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES

  • The Alliance Francaise Prize in French for excellence in French by an advanced student
GERMAN STUDIES
  • The Joe Fugate Senior German Award – Awarded for excellence in German
HISTORY
  • The James Bird Balch Prize – Awarded to the senior showing academic excellence in American History.
  • The History Department Award – Awarded for outstanding work in the major
MATHEMATICS

  • The Clarke Benedict Williams Prize – Awarded to that member of the graduating class who has the best record in mathematics and the allied sciences.
MUSIC
  • The Lillian Pringle Baldauf Prize in Music – Awarded to an outstanding music student.
  • The Music Department Certificate of Distinction (given by the Kalamazoo College Music Department) – Awarded for outstanding contributions to the musical life on campus, for achievement in performance areas, and for academic achievement.
  • The Fan E. Sherwood Memorial Prize – Awarded for outstanding progress and ability on an orchestral stringed instrument.
  • The Margaret Upton Prize in Music – Awarded each year to a student designated by the Music Department faculty as having made a significant achievement in music.
PHILOSOPHY
  • The Department of Philosophy Prize – Awarded for excellence in any year’s work in Philosophy.
  • The Hodge Prize in Philosophy – Awarded to that member of the graduating class who has the highest standing in the field.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
  • The George Acker Award -Awarded annually to a male athlete who in his participation gave all, never quit, with good spirit supported others unselfishly, and whose example was inspirational.
  • The Tish Loveless Award – Awarded by the Department of Physical Education to the outstanding female athlete.
  • The Hornet Athletic Association Award – Awarded to a graduating senior who has most successfully combined high scholarship with athletic prowess.
  • The Mary Long Burch Award – Awarded to a senior woman who has manifested interest in sports activities and excelled in scholarship.
  • The C. W. “Opie” Davis Award – Awarded to the outstanding senior male athlete.
  • The Knoechel Family Awards – Awarded to a senior male and a senior female member of the swim teams in recognition of demonstrated excellence in both intercollegiate swimming and academic performance.
  • The Catherine A. Smith Prize in Women’s Athletics – Awarded to a woman athlete who in her participation gave all, never quit, with good spirit supported others unselfishly, and whose example was inspirational.
PHYSICS
  • The John Wesley Hornbeck Prize – Awarded to a senior with the highest achievement for the year’s work in advanced physics toward a major.
POLITICAL SCIENCE

  • The E. Bruce Baxter Memorial Award – Awarded to a senior for outstanding achievement in the field of political science.
  • The William G. Howard Prize – Awarded for excellence in a year’s work in political science.
  • The Eugene P. Stermer Award in Public Administration – Awarded to a student in public policy and/or international affairs for excellence in academic work of the senior year.
PSYCHOLOGY
  • The Marshall Hallock Brenner Prize – Awarded to an outstanding student for excellence in the field of psychology.
  • (Given at Honor’s Day but included in the Senior Award program)
  • The Xarifa Greenquist Memorial Psychology Department Award –  Awarded in recognition of distinctive service to students and faculty in psychology by a student assistant.
  • The Richard D. Klein Senior Award in Psychology –  Awarded to a senior psychology major for outstanding community engagement.
  • The Donald W. Van Liere Prize in Research– Awarded for excellence in psychology research.
  • The Donald W. Van Liere Prize in Coursework – Awarded  for excellence in psychology coursework.
RELIGION
  • The Marion H. Dunsmore Prize in Religion – Awarded to a graduating senior for excellence in the major.
SPANISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURES
  • The Senior Spanish Award – Awarded given by the Department of Spanish Language and Literatures for outstanding achievement in Spanish.
THEATRE ARTS
  • The Ruth Scott Chenery Award– Awarded to a graduating senior who has excelled academically in theatre and who plans to continue the study of theatre arts following graduation.
  • The Irmgard Kowatzki Theatre Award – Awarded to the senior who has excelled both in academic areas and in theatrical productions during the four years at the College.
  • The Charles Tully Design Award – Awarded annually to a senior who has achieved excellence in some aspect of theatre design.
WOMEN, GENDER &SEXUALITY
  • Catherine A. Smith Prize in Human Rights – Awarded to a senior who has been active on campus in promoting human rights, furthering progressive social and cultural change, and combating violence, repression, and bigotry.
  • The Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Prize – Awarded to a student whose scholarship, research or creative work in women, gender & sexuality studies, in the form of a SIP or other academic work, is most impressive.
CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

  • The Service-Learning Fellow students “carry on the work of Tony Vonk and Howard DeMoore…by turning lives around,” working with incarcerated youth and adults and promoting restorative justice.
  • the LaPlante CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Scholars, who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to educational equity and inclusion by designing and leading innovative programs with Kalamazoo Public Schools and community partnerships.
  • Vibbert Civic Engagement Scholar, a student who honors and exemplifies the life and spirit of Stephanie Vibbert – scholar, activist, poet, feminist and artist – by leading programs that promote equity and justice through the arts and feminist organizing.
  • CAROLINE HAM CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SCHOLARS, who work on campus and in Kalamazoo partnerships to recognize and build the power and rights of individuals to shape their futures and promote democracy.
  • MOSES KIMBALL SCHOLAR, a student leader who works as a community organizer with neighborhood residents and college peers.
  • LARRY BELL CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SCHOLAR for community food justice and sustainability.
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
  • The Maynard Owen Williams Memorial Award – Awarded for the best student entry in the form of an essay, poetry, paintings, sketches, photographs or films derived from Study Abroad.
COLLEGE AWARDS
  • Alpha Lambda Delta Gladys Bell Graduate Fellowship – Awarded to the Alpha Lambda Delta member graduating with the highest GPA.
  • Alpha Lambda Delta Maria Leonard Senior Book Award- Awarded to the Alpha Lambda Delta member graduating with the highest GPA.
  • Alpha Lambda Delta May Brunson Graduate Fellowship – Awarded to a senior working toward a graduate or professional degree.
  • Alpha Lambda Delta Dr. Helen Clarke Graduate Fellowship – Awarded to a senior for graduate study.
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
  • The Senior Leadership Recognition Award – Awarded to outstanding seniors who have provided key elements of leadership in their organizations, athletic teams, academic departments, employment, and the wider Kalamazoo community, etc. Seniors eligible for this award also had to meet a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average requirement and be in good academic and social standing at the College.