HUMANITIES
The John Lyndenberg Memorial Prize
To the American Studies senior whose academic work best exemplifies the high standard for American Studies scholarship set by Professor John Lydenberg, who was one of the leaders in the field and who founded the American Studies Program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
The Martha Monser Justice Prize
This art history prize is to be awarded annually to a student selected by the Department of Art.
The Elizabeth Sibley Stebbins Art Prize
Established by a bequest from Elizabeth S. Stebbins who received an honorary degree from the Colleges in 1942. For excellence in Art.
Architectural Studies Faculty Award
For leadership within the Program, and within the Student Architectural Society.
- Bjorn Antell
- Kathryn Dranichak
- Harry Fletcher
- Shelby Johnson
Senior Architecture Prize for Leadership, Service and Academic Achievement
Awarded by faculty in architectural studies to graduating seniors who have shown extraordinary dedication to design and improving the quality of the built environment through their leadership in the architectural studies program, service to the department, campus and Geneva community, and academic achievement in their major coursework.
- Alice Clements
- Caroline Darcy
- Mirabel Hickman
Elena Ciletti Endowed Prize
Established in honor of Professor Elena Ciletti in grateful recognition of her four decades of teaching and scholarship at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The Ciletti Prize is awarded annually to a graduating HWS senior from Art History. Students will be selected by a faculty committee and will be judged on the quality of their academic work and departmental engagement.
- Daphna Bendull
- Hannah Bendull
- Maialen Martinez
The Dr. Patricia Mathews Prize in Modern and Contemporary Art History
Established in 2019 by Stanley Mathews, this endowment fund was created in memory of Professor Patricia Mathews to provide an endowed prize in modern and contemporary art history. This prize will be awarded to the student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of modern and contemporary art history.
- Mallory Burrall
- Rachel Yackel
Mathews Family Endowed Fund for Architectural Studies
Established in 2017 by Stanley Mathews, Associate Professor of Art and Architecture at the Colleges from 2000-present, this is a permanent endowment fund created in memory of his parents Eunice Jones Mathews and James K. Mathews. This annual support shall be used to provide financial support for departmental expenditures such as equipment, supplies, travel or one or more student prizes. This award goes to a student for outstanding academic achievement in their first year.
- Reece Wilson
- Julyssa Winters
The Sutherland Prize in Classics
Awarded for excellence in the Classics.
- Maxwell Dudukovich
- Andrew Schraeder
The William Smith Prize in Classics
For excellence of academic work and for richness of appreciation in Greek, Latin, or classical studies by a William Smith student.
Eta Sigma Phi Honor Society in Classics
- Andrew Broering
- Madison Dicks
- Sadye Ferguson
- Quin Kenny
- Cameron Miguel
- Danielle Naimie
- Taylor Shea
- Mary Warner
The Janet Seeley Award in Dance
Established in honor of Janet Seeley, former dance instructor at William Smith from 1932 to 1971. Ms. Seeley served as coach of the Field Hockey team and Director of the Physical Education Department in addition to her years as a choreographer, instructor, and performer of dance. For outstanding achievement in dance, including performance, choreography, scholarship, and/or contributions to the Department of Dance.
- Emma Ibbotson
- Isabella Siddall
The William A. Howe II ’15 Award in Education
This endowed award, created by his son, William G. Howe, was established to honor his father for his service to the educational community as a teacher and administrator. Each year the award is given to a graduating senior who is pursuing graduate work in education. Selection each year is made by members of the Department of Education.
- Alexandra Low
- Alexis Racioppa
The Frances Nolting Temple Prize for Teaching
Frances Nolting Temple was a teacher who ever pushed beyond the limits of tradition and commonplace in order to find the best in young people and help them connect their gifts to the needs of this world. In her own words: “Here’s...the gamble, as I see it, and I realize that it is enormously pretentious; I’m gambling that there is something ineffable and fine in humans that can be touched and stirred by beauty, whether of story or color or music, and that if you think that by some luck you might have a shot at touching it, then you should try.” The Frances Nolting Temple Prize for Teaching will be awarded to a senior completing the Colleges’ education program leading to certification in teaching.
The Cobb Prize in English and Comparative Literature
To the writers, in the senior or junior class, of the two best essays on some subject connected with English literature.
The Claudette Kemper Columbus Prize
For the student who has shown exceptional and persuasive imagination in their critical and creative work.
- Cole Cassano
- Angelica Knudson
- Fleur Lennox
The Kathryn Cook Prize in English and Comparative Literature
Established in honor of Kathryn Cook, Professor of English at the Colleges, 1942-1979. To a Hobart or William Smith student for excellence in English.
The Alice Brandt Deeds ’45 Prize
Excellence for creative writing.
The Charles H. Hurd Prize in English and Comparative Literature
Established in honor of Charles H. Hurd, Hobart 1872. To the Writer of the best poem or poems totaling not less than eighty lines.
The Chester J. Hampton Prize
William Prall Prize in English and Comparative Literature
Established by the Rev. William Prall, Ph.D., D.D. who received an honorary degree (S.T.D.) from Hobart College in 1892. For the best essay upon the relation between the French and English literatures.
The Susan Kranzler Scibilia ’68 Memorial Prize
To the William Smith senior who, in the opinion of faculty, has shown the most distinction and promise in the writing of fiction.
Herbert Bayard Swope Prize in English and Comparative Literature
Established by Herbert B. Swope who received an honorary degree from the Colleges in 1924 and who received several Pulitzer Prizes and was a distinguished leader in world affairs. To the Hobart student who writes the best essay on a subject of general interest.
The Deborah Tall Prize in Poetry/Creative Nonfiction in English and Comparative Literature
To the student who, in the opinion of the English Department faculty, has shown the most distinction and promise in the writing of poetry or creative nonfiction. Deborah was a distinguished poet and nonfiction writer and a beloved teacher of writing & literature at HWS for 25 years. During that time she edited the Colleges’ national literary journal Seneca Review.
The John E. (Ted) Thiesmeyer Prize in English and Comparative Literature
For excellence in English.
The Milton H. Turk Memorial Prize in English and Comparative Literature
Established in honor of Milton Haight Turk, Professor of English and Dean of Hobart, 1890-1938. To the member of the graduating class who has shown the greatest improvement in the use of clear, concise, correct, and convincing English, both oral and written; the award being based upon the recipient’s work in all departments.
The White Essay Prize in English and Comparative Literature
Established by Horace White, Former Trustee of Hobart College. To the writer of the best English essay in prose or verse.
Excellence in French
To be awarded to graduating seniors.
- Wren Andrews
- Willa Dow
- Cailin Gensler
- Olivia Hofmann
- Emma Ibbotson
First Year Prize in French
Awarded to the most promising French and Francophone Studies sophomores.
Second Year Prize in French
Awarded to the most promising French and Francophone Studies majors.
- Johanna Golden
- Quin Kenny
Pi Delta Phi Honor Society in French
- Wren Andrews
- Willa Dow
- Cailin Gensler
- Gabriella Guevara
- Olivia Hofmann
- Emma Ibbotson
The Professor Norbert Busch Prize in German
Established in honor of Professor of Modern Languages Norbert A. Busch who taught German at the Colleges from 1968 to 1996. In recognition of excellence in the study of German language, literature, and culture; an appreciation for the importance of liberal arts education; and commitment to applying the lessons learned in the classroom to everyday life.
The John Rothrock Memorial Prize in History
Established in memory of Colonel John E. Rothrock USAF, Ret. ’64 by Mary Lu Greenwoord. The prize is awarded to either a Hobart or William Smith senior who, through their knowledge and understanding of history, exhibits the potential to creatively make a positive change in the future.
The Robert A. Huff Prize in History
Awarded in honor of Professor of History Emeritus Robert A. Huff to the senior history major who has the best academic record.
The Marvin Bram Prize for Civic Mindedness in History
Awarded in honor of Professor of History Emeritus Marvin Bram to the senior history major who demonstrates the greatest civic mindedness through history.
The History Faculty Award
Presented to the first-year or sophomore student who has the best academic record in history.
The John H. Ehrlich Prize in Judaic Studies
Established by John H. Ehrlich ’66. This prize is awarded to a Hobart and William Smith Colleges junior or senior who has demonstrated a commitment to Judaic Studies and who has exhibited the qualities of empathetic inquiry, personal integrity and outstanding achievement in that course of study.
The Latin American Studies Association Prize
Excellence in Latin American Studies.
The Marilyn Jimenez Media and Society Student Film Award
Professor Marilyn Jimenez was an integral member of the Colleges’ faculty from 1984-2020, teaching interdisciplinary courses that fused history, theory, and practice for the Media & Society and Africana Studies programs. This award goes to the Media & Society student who best exemplifies Marilyn’s generous, creative and adventurous spirit. The student who wins this award is, like Marilyn, innovative, dedicated and tireless. They have produced work that reflects Marilyn’s investment in inclusive perspectives, the artistic vision of inspiring filmmakers, and the transformative power of storytelling.
- Juliana Bruno
- Rosemary Colon-Martinez
- Maxwell Harris
- Linh Nguyen
The Friedman Outstanding Student Award in Media and Society
Lester Friedman was a dynamic member of the Media and Society Program from 2005-2017. A prolific writer and beloved teacher, Professor Friedman dedicated his career to expanding our critical awareness of American cinema and advocating for the study of media across disciplines. This award goes to the Media and Society students who best exemplify Professor Friedman’s engaging and insightful scholarship. The students who win this award have produced exceptional writing and therefore reflect Professor Friedman’s passion for the field and commitment to sharing ideas through thoughtful prose.
- Noah Ball
- Maxwell Dudukovich
- Courtney Flynn
- Julianna Frank
- Kathleen Gearan
- Taylor Williams
Lambda Pi Eta National Communications Honor Society
- Jennifer Alogna
- Noah Ball
- Amanda Baum
- Casey Burdy
- Bridget Daugherty-Costa
- Gianna DeVita
- Maxwell Dudukovich
- Courtney Flynn
- Julianna Frank
- Kathleen Gearan
- Maxwell Harris
- Delaney Hoodak
- Matthew Kellett
- Rachel Meller
- Louis Newman
- Linh Nguyen
- Callie Noonan
- Lexi Nottke
- Taylor Williams
The Nick Cusimano Memorial Award in Music
Awarded for excellence in music.
The Robert M. Steele ’60 Music Award
Awarded for excellence in instrumental music.
The Professor Joseph M. Berta Prize in Music
The recipient will exemplify commitment to the Colleges, music and community.
The Foster P. Boswell Philosophy Award
Established in memory of Foster P. Boswell, Hobart 1901, and Professor of Philosophy 1903-1947. This award is given for general excellence in philosophy.
- Lexi Colella
- Jackson Lesure
- Gianella Marciniak
- Julia Walters
The Nathan Lapham Prize in Public Speaking in Philosophy
To the student in either College adjudged to be outstanding in public speaking and debate.
The Heaton/Franks Prize in Religious Studies
This award is to students who have shown evidence, by the time of their junior year, of the capacity for empathetic and rigorous study of the varieties of religious experience and contribution to the Religious Studies Department.
- Alyssa Capuano
- Katherine Mandarano
The Saiving/Heaton Prize in Religious Studies
For outstanding work in religious studies.
- Sydney Hummel
- Robert Russell
The E.E. Griffith Prize in Theatre
Established in memory of Professor E. E. Griffith who taught English and Drama at the Colleges from 1946 to 1979. To be given to the students who have contributed to the Bartlett Theatre as an undergraduate.
- Gianna DeVita
- Kels Veeder
The Ann Palmeri Prize in Women’s Studies
The award is given to a William Smith senior who exemplifies the qualities and concerns of Ann Palmeri, that is: a concern for the link between philosophical theory and practical political action; a quality of quiet courage; a capacity for outrage; a thorough, scholarly attempt to grapple with the philosophical issues around the liberation of women; a focus on children and policies dealing with them; and a gift for friendship and community.
The Toni Flores Prize in Women’s Studies
This award is given to the student who reflects Toni Flores’ unselfish spirit of caring and ability to teach us to live fully in the blazing world.
- Andrea Delgado
- Lucy Denton
The First Year Writing Prize in Writing and Rhetoric
Sponsored by the Writing Colleague and Writing Fellow Programs, this award celebrates outstanding writing in First-Year Seminars. Recipients of this award must be nominated by their first-year seminar professor, revise their essays for submission for the prize, and be selected by a jury of faculty from across the Colleges.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Excellence in Anthropology Prize
For demonstrating consistently superior academic achievement throughout the anthropology major curriculum. The recipient is elected by anthropology faculty for excellence in all phases of the course of study, including comprehension of theories and methods, effective expression in writing and other media, and engagement of our discipline in the current issues and problems confronting humanity.
- Emma Falkenstein
- Nicholas Stone
- Taryn Wenberg
The Lauren Bessette ’86 Memorial Prize in Economics
Established in honor of Lauren by her friends and family. This annual academic award is given to an outstanding William Smith student in economics. The recipient will have demonstrated the academic ability and personal promise that Lauren exemplified.
The Blair C. Currie Prize in Economics
To the Hobart senior and William Smith senior who has achieved the highest grade point average in their Economics major. The prize has been endowed by family, faculty, students, and friends of Professor Blair C. Currie, who served students at the Colleges for 27 years from 1963 to 1989. Professor Currie dedicated his academic life to the teaching of economics and environmental studies and to increased opportunities for students to attain the highest standard of academic achievement.
- Julian Boland
- Margaret Wagner
Omicron Delta Epsilon International Honor Society in Economics
- James Adams ’21
- Josseph Ansaldo ’21
- Caleigh Bennett ’21
- Julian Boland ’21
- Kaleb Boyl ’21
- Christopher Bracco ’21
- Darius Brummell ’21 *
- Kaloyan Byanov ’21
- Marie Carrau ’21 *
- Alexandra Deku ’21
- Michael DeVaney ’21
- Ryan Dickson ’21
- Albright Dwarka ’21 *
- Lindsay Fleischer ’21 *
- Isabelle Foisy ’22
- Christopher Guertler ’21
- Kyle Hackett ’21 *
- Joseph Halstrom ’22
- Julianna Kennedy ’21 *
- Flora Kepes ’21
- Kevin Kruszewski ’21
- Grace Larson ’21 *
- Bridget Lawless ’21
- Parkman Levis ’21 *
- Samantha Mancini ’22
- Moritz Marchart ’21
- Gianella Marciniak ’21
- Pierre-Anthony Martineau ’22
- Daniel Masino ’21 *
- Ethan Massat ’21 *
- Nicholas McCarthy ’21
- Katelyn Nguyen ’21
- Olivia Parisi ’22
- Molly Powers ’21
- Julia Ricciarelli ’21
- Michael Rossiter ’21
- Sofia Schuller ’22
- Thomas Schultz ’21
- Okla Smith II ’22
- Colin Smith ’21
- Harrison Spencer ’21
- Mitchell Spring ’21
- Julia Stockwin ’22
- Eric Strait ’22
- Robert Tasker ’21 *
- Katherine Vangaever ’21*
- Jacob Vickers ’21
- Gretchen Vietor ’22
- Margaret Wagner ’21 *
- Kimberly Waldek ’22
- Jiaqi Wang ’22
- Olivia Weiler ’21
⋆ Students were inducted as Juniors
The Entrepreneurial Studies Award
Given annually to a student(s) whose performance and pursuits most embodies the theory and practice of Entrepreneurial Studies – demonstrating well-rounded leadership, acting as thoughtful risk takers, and becoming resourceful innovators who explore, hone, and blend their analytical and critical thinking skills of a liberal arts education with action to identify new opportunities and launch new ventures.
- Maxwell Harris
- Meghan McKenna
The Professor Kenneth R. Carle Prize in Environmental Studies
Established in 1993 to honor Professor Emeritus Kenneth R. Carle’s 33 years of teaching at the Colleges and awarded to the most outstanding graduating senior majoring in Environmental Science.
The Environmental Studies Faculty Prize
For outstanding work in Environmental Studies.
- Lucy Denton
- Kathryn Dranichak
- Emily O’Bryan
The George M. Ashmun ’41 Memorial Prize in Environmental Studies
Established in honor of Captain George M. Ashmun ’41, a U.S. Marine Corps aviator, who lost his life in aerial combat in 1944, while serving as a fighter pilot in the South-West Pacific during World War II. While a student at Hobart College he was described as “highly respected by his fellow classmates because of his habits, character, courtesy, and utter lack of selfishness.” Awarded annually to a Hobart senior who has excelled in pre-medical or environmental studies and whose academic work best reflects a commitment to helping others and a respect for the world in which we live and its people.
The Faculty Prize in Political Science
To the graduating senior Political Science major who has distinguished themselves in service and commitment to political science.
The Paul F. Colarulli ’72 Endowed Prize in Political Science
Established in March 2018 by the family of Paul F. Colarulli ’72, this is a permanent endowment fund created in memory of Paul F. Colarulli ’72 to provide an endowed prize to a student majoring in political science. Preference will be given to the student who submits the best political science seminar paper in the Law and Society course.
The Maynard Smith Prize in Political Science
Established in honor of Professor Maynard O. Smith who taught at the Colleges from 1950-1990. This prize goes to the outstanding William Smith and Hobart political science majors.
- Vanessa Bonanno
- David Ranney
Pi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society in Political Science
- Tolulope Arasanyin
- Clifford Blanchard
- Vanessa Bonanno
- Taylor Crosby
- Willa Dow
- Shannon Drew
- Edith Falk
- Alice Hollocher
- Sydney Hummel
- Kevin Kruszewski
- Katherine Mandarano
- Nicholas McCarthy
- Morgan Nelis
- Alexis Racioppa
- David Ranney
- Emily Rich
- Megan Rooney
- Robert Russell
- Sheila Uria
James Mickel Williams Prize in Social Science
Established in memory of Professor Williams who taught Sociology at the Colleges from 1903 to 1939. To the member of the junior class of William Smith College and to the member of the junior class of Hobart College who has compiled the highest grade point average in social science course work through the winter of their junior year, and who has taken at least two social science courses outside of their major department.
- Hope Snyder
- Jacob Vickers
The Irving Lewis Horowitz Prize in Sociology
To the junior at either Hobart or William Smith College who is majoring in sociology and plans to go to graduate school.
The Professor Larry Young Prize in Sociology
Established in honor of Professor of Sociology Larry Young who taught at the Colleges from 1964 to 1992. To the sociology major or combined anthropology/sociology major who has contributed the most to intercultural communication.
(• = award/prize recipient)
