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.
Epsilon Alpha Kappa Honor Society in American Studies
- Brandy Vargas
- Rachel Meller
- Page Jones
The Arthur Dove Art Award
This award was established by William B. Carr in honor of Arthur Dove, Hobart 1903, well known painter, and native of Geneva. The income from the endowment of this award is to be used to purchase a work of art created by a student at the Colleges that, in the judgment of the Awards Committee, best expresses the essential spirit and ideas that Arthur Dove sought in his work. Based on work submitted to the Student Art Exhibit.
- Grace Hammett
- Genevieve Pietrusinski
- Shannon Smith
- Yuanfei Zhang
The Martha Monser Justice Prize
This art history prize is awarded annually to a student selected by the Department of Art.
- Mallory Burrall
- Rachel Yackel
The Elizabeth Sibley Stebbins Art Prize
Established by a bequest from Elizabeth S. Stebbins who received an honorary degree from the Colleges in 1942, this award is for excellence in Art.
Architectural Studies Faculty Award
For leadership within the Program, and within the Student Architectural Society.
- Lucas Harris
- Jordan Levi
- Lucas Mischler
- Clare Naylor
- Bramm Watkin
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.
- Michael DiBenedetto
- Lauren Downes
- Abigail Frederick
- Evan Kifner
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.
The Sutherland Prize in Classics
Awarded for excellence in the Classics.
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
- Peter Gaudette
- Alice Hollocher
- Lex Jones
- Shea McIntyre
- Deirdre O’Malley
- Patrick Overton
- Jonathan Phillips
- Ashfaqur Rahman
- Sarah Zeger
The Janet Seeley Award in Dance
Established in honor of Janet Seeley, former dance instructor at William Smith from 1932 to 1971. 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.
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 Hobart and/or William Smith senior who is pursuing graduate work in education. Selection each year is made by members of the Department of Education.
- Sophie Kaufman
- Hugh Mckenny
The Frances Nolting Temple Prize for Teaching
Frances Nolting Temple was a teacher who 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 Hobart or William Smith senior completing the Colleges’ Education Program leading to certification in teaching.
- Cassidy Carrafiello
- Emilie Sauvayre
The Cobb Prize in English and Comparative Literature
To the writers, in the senior or junior class, of the two best essays on a subject connected with English literature.
- Newton Jones Burkett
- John Schenk
The Claudette Kemper Columbus Prize
For the student who has shown exceptional and persuasive imagination in their critical and creative work.
- Hannah Bassett
- Bailey DiSanto
- Madison Johnson
- Sophie Ritter
The Kathryn Cook Prize in English and Comparative Literature
Established in honor of Kathryn Cook, Professor of English at the Colleges, 1942-1979, this award is given to a Hobart or William Smith student for excellence in English.
The Alice Brandt Deeds ’45 Prize
This prize recognizes excellence for creative writing.
The Charles H. Hurd Prize in English and Comparative Literature
Established in honor of Charles H. Hurd, Hobart 1872, this award is given to the writer of the best poem or poems totaling not less than eighty lines.
The Chester J. Hampton Prize
This prize was established by Chester J. Hampton for excellence in English.
William Prall Prize in English and Comparative Literature
Established by the Reverend William Prall, Ph.D., D.D. who received an honorary degree (S.T.D.) from Hobart in 1892, this prize honors 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
This prize was 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. It is given to the Hobart student who wrote the best essay on a subject of general interest.
The Deborah Tall Prize in Poetry/Creative Nonfiction in English and Comparative Literature
This award recognizes the William Smith or Hobart 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. Tall was a distinguished poet and nonfiction writer and a beloved teacher of writing and 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
This prize honors excellence in English.
- Anna Flaherty
- Nicole Wright
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, this award honors that member of the graduating class who has shown in college 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, this prize is given to the writer of the best English essay in prose or verse.
Excellence in French
To be awarded to graduating seniors.
- Margaret Hollister
- Emilie Sauvayre
First Year Prize in French
Awarded to the most promising French and Francophone Studies sophomores.
- Julia Cilano
- Lauren Earley
- Erika Sipos
Second Year Prize in French
Awarded to the most promising French and Francophone Studies majors.
- Louise Kehres
- Sofia Schuller
The Professor Norbert Busch Prize in German
This award was established in honor of Professor of Modern Languages Norbert A. Busch who taught German at the Colleges from 1968 to 1996. It is given 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.
American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR) Post-Secondary Russian Scholar Laureate
The John Rothrock Memorial Prize in History
Established in memory of Colonel John E. Rothrock USAF, Ret. ’64 by Mary Lu Greenwoord, this 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
This prize recognizes 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 and Society and Africana Studies Programs. This award goes to the Media and Society student who best exemplifies Jimenez’ generous, creative and adventurous spirit. The student who wins this award is, like Jimenez, innovative, dedicated and tireless. They have produced work that reflects her investment in inclusive perspectives, the artistic vision of inspiring filmmakers, and the transformative power of storytelling.
- Chloe Emler
- Addison Gilbard
- Brian Haeffner
- Israel Oyedapo
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 Friedman’s engaging and insightful scholarship. The students who win this award have produced exceptional writing and therefore reflect Friedman’s passion for the field and commitment to sharing ideas through thoughtful prose.
- Kelsea Brown
- Eve Martin
- Gabriel Pietrorazio
- John (Jake) Preston
The Nick Cusimano Memorial Award in Music
This award is given for excellence in Music.
The Robert M. Steele ’60 Music Award
This award honors excellence in Instrumental Music.
The Professor Joseph M. Berta Prize in Music
The recipient of this prize will exemplify commitment to the Colleges, music and community.
- Ethan Luschen-Miskosky
- Lauren Rubino
The Josephine and Paul D’Angelo Memorial Award in Music
This award is given to a senior music major from Hobart and/or William Smith. It recognizes that student who has exemplified the qualities of excellent musicianship, intellectual achievement and personal integrity, and who, because of these attributes, has demonstrated the most improvement in musical achievement.
- Michael Grieco
- Abigail Hearty
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.
- Claire Abelson
- Joshua Andrews
- Edens Fleurizard
The Nathan Lapham Prize in Public Speaking in Philosophy
This prize is awarded 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.
The Saiving/Heaton Prize in Religious Studies
This prize is for outstanding work in religious studies.
- Hannah Farrar
- Katherine Mandarano
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, this prize is given to the student of Hobart or William Smith who has most contributed to the Bartlett Theatre as an undergraduate.
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 being given to the student who reflects Toni Flores’ unselfish spirit of caring and ability to teach us to live fully in the blazing world.
The First Year Writing Prize
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.
- Ian Albreski
- Jackson Danforth
- Anne Husband
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Excellence in Anthropology Prize
This prize recognizes students that demonstrate consistent 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.
- Abbey Brown
- Jordan Raivel
- Whitney Swanson
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
This prize recognizes 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. 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.
- Mike Goulart
- Amelia McGowan
Omicron Delta Epsilon International Honor Society in Economics
- Tanner Arnold ’20
- Delia Lawver ’21
- Michael Baroody ’21
- Parkman Levis ’21
- Oliva Bloch ’20
- Kevin Lin ’20
- Darius Brummell ’21
- Xiaojin Lin ’20 ⋆
- Marie Carrau ’21
- Lawson MacDougall ’20 ⋆
- Katherine Consoli ’20 ⋆
- Maris Malanoski ’20 ⋆
- Alexander Cottrell ’20 ⋆
- Daniel Masino ’21
- Samuel Denney ’20 ⋆
- Ethan Massat ’21
- Albright Dwarka ’21
- Daniel McFeeters ’20 ⋆
- Samuel Eaton ’20 ⋆
- Amelia McGowan ’20
- Grant Emerson ’20 ⋆
- Garrett McGowan ’21
- Lindsay Fleischer ’21
- Gregory Narzikul, Jr. ’20
- Christine Fromageot ’20
- Jack O’Shea ’20 ⋆
- Mike Goulart ’20 ⋆
- Gregory Partyka ’20 ⋆
- Kyle Hackett ’21
- Angus Pratt ’20 ⋆
- William Harrison ’20
- Joshua Pugliese ’20 ⋆
- Collin Hudgins ’20
- Martin Roeck ’20
- Kieran Keane ’20 ⋆
- Robert Tasker ’21
- Julianna Kennedy ’21
- Katherine Vangaever ’21
- Bartholomew Lahiff ’20
- Margaret Wagner ’21
- Grace Larson ’21
- Zachary Sternbach ’20 ⋆
⋆ Students were inducted as Juniors
The Professor Kenneth R. Carle Prize in Environmental Studies
This prize was established in 1993 to honor Professor Emeritus Kenneth R. Carle’s 33 years of teaching at the Colleges and awarded to the most outstanding Hobart and William Smith Colleges graduating senior majoring in Environmental Science.
The Environmental Studies Faculty Prize
This prize is given for outstanding work in Environmental Studies.
The George M. Ashmun ’41 Memorial Prize in Environmental Studies
This prize was 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.” This is 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 Ithiel De Solo Pool Prize in Political Science
This prize honors graduating senior Political Science majors, from either College, who have distinguished themselves in service and commitment to political science.
The Paul F. Colarulli ’72 Endowed Prize in Political Science
Establish in 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 Hobart or William Smith 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.
- Colin Maczka
- Drew Blanchard, Honorable Mention
- Veronica Rogers, Honorable Mention
- Brian Schaumloffel, Honorable Mention
Pi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society in Political Science
- Joshua Barnes
- Vanessa Bonanno
- Meredith Brown
- Elizabeth Carlson
- Eva Catanzariti
- Shannon Drew
- Samantha Hirkaler
- Alice Hollocher
- Sydney Hummel
- Madison Johnson
- Colin Maczka
- Katherine Mandarano
- Morgan Nelis
- Gabriel Pietrorazio
- Alexis Racioppa
- Emily Rich
- Divya Tewari
- Mikaela Zallen
The Irving Lewis Horowitz Prize in Sociology
This prize is awarded 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, this prize is given to the Sociology major or combined Anthropology/Sociology major who has contributed the most to intercultural communication.
(• = award/prize recipient)
