Prizes and Fellowships
Prizes
A number of prizes are awarded to students for outstanding academic achievement
and extracurricular activities.
While prizes are awarded annually (unless otherwise specified), they are done so at the discretion of the respective selection committees. Hence, should a selection committee decide, in a particular year, that there are no suitable candidates, the prize will not be awarded that year.
Unless otherwise noted, these prizes are awarded to Columbia College students only.
General Prizes
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
(1947) A trophy, in the form of a Columbia lion, awarded annually to the member of the senior class who is judged to be most outstanding for qualities of mind, character, and service to the College.
ALUMNI PRIZE
(1858) A cash prize awarded annually by the Alumni Association to the senior judged by classmates to be the most faithful and deserving.
CHARLES H. BJORKWALL PRIZE
(1937) A cash prize awarded annually to a member of the senior class for unselfish service to the College community. Established by Ottle Emma Bjorkwall in memory of her brother, Dr. Charles H. Bjorkwall.
EDWARD SUTLIFF BRAINARD MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1920) A cash prize awarded annually to the member of the graduating class who
is judged by classmates to be most worthy of distinction for qualities of mind
and character. Established by Miss Phebe Sutliff in memory of her nephew, Edward
Brainard Sutliff, Class of 1921.
JAMES CHRISTOPHER CARALEY
MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1984) Established in memory of James Christopher Caraley, 1959– 1979, Class of 1981, by his family and friends. Awarded annually to that member of the junior class who has demonstrated the greatest commitment to the value of preservation of the natural environment.
ROBERT LINCOLN CAREY MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1967) A trophy, in the form of a lion, awarded annually by the Alumni Association to the senior who, through a combination of leadership qualities as exercised in the nonathletic extracurricular program of Columbia College and outstanding achievement in the academic program of the College, best exemplifies the ideals that Robert Lincoln Carey sought to engender in the students of Columbia College.
STANLEY I. FISHEL/ZETA BETA TAU PRIZE
A cash prize awarded to an undergraduate fraternity member who has demonstrated leadership, academic achievement, and participation in athletics or other campus activities. Established in honor of Stanley I. Fishel, Class of 1934, who was president of ZBT while at Columbia and later national president, and who believed in the important role fraternities can play in the development of undergraduates.
RICHARD H. FOX MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1927) A cash prize awarded to the senior who, in the judgment of the King’s Crown Advisory Committee, has shown to the College the greatest interest and helpfulness. The student must have participated in some nonathletic activities and must be one who combines intelligence with a kindly interest in his or her fellows. Established by Mr. and Mrs. Leon S. Fox in memory of their son, Richard H. Fox, Class of 1921.
ROBERT SHELLOW GERDY PRIZE
(1969) A cash prize awarded to that member of the graduating class who, throughout the undergraduate years, has made a significant contribution as a member of the staff of one or more College student publications, especially Jester, Columbia Review, and Spectator. Established by Mr. and Mrs. Irving Gerdy in memory of their son, Robert Shellow Gerdy, Class of 1939.
THE ROBERT HARRON AWARD
(1972) A cash prize awarded annually to a member of the junior class for qualities of grace and generosity. Established by his friends in memory of Robert Harron.
KING’S CROWN AWARD
(1916) Gold and silver insignia in the form of King’s Crowns, each distinguished by a device symbolic of a particular activity, awarded annually by the King’s Crown Advisory Committee in recognition of significant participation in any activity under its jurisdiction. Conferred each spring on the basis of written nominations solicited from the governing board of each eligible organization.
MILCH PRIZE
(1948) A cash prize awarded annually to the member of the junior class who, by leadership in extracurricular as well as scholastic activities, has, in the judgment of teachers and classmates, done the most to enhance the reputation of Columbia College. Established by Dr. and Mrs. Henry Milch.
LEONARD A. PULLMAN MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1965) A certificate and the inscription of the student’s name on a plaque in Alfred Lerner Hall, awarded annually to a member of the senior class who displays those qualities of outstanding scholarship and significant service to the College exemplified in the life of Leonard Pullman, Class of 1962. The recipient must occupy a position of responsibility in a nonathletic Columbia College activity.
CHARLES M. ROLKER JR. PRIZE
(1909) A cash prize awarded annually to the member of the graduating class who is judged by classmates to be most worthy of special distinction because of scholarship, participation in student activities, or in any combination thereof. Established by Mrs. C. M. Rolker in memory of her son, Charles M. Rolker Jr., Class of 1907.
VAN AM PRIZE
(1925) Awarded to the member of the sophomore class who is most distinguished for service, character, and courtesy in relations with faculty members, fellow students, and visitors. A cash amount goes to the student activity of the winner’s choice. Established by the Class of 1898 on the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary.
General Academic Prizes
ALBERT ASHER GREEN MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1913) A cash prize to the senior who has been a student in good standing in the College for at least three years and who has made the best record of scholarship. Established by Mr. and Mrs. Asher Green in memory of their son, Albert Asher Green, Class of 1914.
PHILOLEXIAN CENTENNIAL WASHINGTON PRIZE
(1902) A cash prize awarded once every four years to the student in the College who shall be deemed most worthy, upon delivery of an original address on a subject concerning public affairs. Gift of J. Ackerman Coles, Class of 1864.
DAVID B. TRUMAN ALUMNI AWARD (1970) A cash prize and a lion trophy donated annually by the Alumni Association to the Columbia College student who has made the most distinguished contribution to the academic affairs of the College. Established in honor of David B. Truman, former Dean of the College.
Prizes in the Humanities
THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS POETRY PRIZE
(1956) A cash prize given by the Academy to the poet who has written the best poem or group of poems submitted during the academic year. Manuscripts should normally be submitted to the Department of English and Comparative Literature before April 1.
SENIOR THESIS PRIZE IN ART HISTORY AND ARCHAELOGY
(2002) established as a gift from Philip E. Aarons, CC’73 and Law ‘76, in recognition of an outstanding senior thesis by a major in the department of Art History and Archaeology.
CHARLES PATERNO BARRATT-BROWN MEMORIAL PRIZE
(2000) A cash prize awarded to a Columbia College senior who is judged by the English Department to have excelled in critical writing in any scholarly field. Established by his parents and his sister in honor of Charles, who graduated from the College in 1983.
DINO BIGONGIARI PRIZE
(1954) A cash prize established by the former students and friends of Professor Dino Bigongiari, awarded annually to the senior who has written an outstanding essay on Italian civilization or whose work in the regular Italian courses is judged most worthy of distinction.
B’NAI ZION HEBREW AWARD
A cash prize awarded to a graduating senior for excellence in Hebrew language and literature.
CARL B. BOYER MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1978) The Carl B. Boyer Memorial Prize in the History of Science is awarded annually to the Columbia undergraduate who writes the best essay on any topic in the history of science or mathematics as judged by a faculty committee. Established by Mrs. Carl B. Boyer in memory of her husband.
THE SEYMOUR BRICK MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1969) Awarded to the Columbia College student who submits the best one-act or full-length play as judged by the Department of English and Comparative Literature. Established by Mrs. Seymour Brick and her son, Richard, in honor of their husband and father, who was a member of the Class of 1934.
KAREN OSNEY BROWNSTEIN WRITING PRIZE
(1991) Awarded to a graduating senior in Columbia College who has written a single piece or a body of work so distinguished in its originality of concept and excellence of execution that it fairly demands the award, support, and recognition the prize intends. Established by Neill H. Brownstein, Class of 1966, in memory of Karen Osney Brownstein.
BUNNER PRIZE
(1896) A cash prize awarded to the candidate for a degree in Columbia University who has submitted the best essay on a topic dealing with American literature. The topic to be selected in connection with course or seminar work in American literature and approved by the chairman of the Bunner Prize Committee. Established by friends of the late Henry Cuyler Bunner.
DOUGLAS GARDNER CAVERLY PRIZE
(1994) Established in memory of Douglas Gardner Caverly, Class of 1968, by his family and friends, and awarded for outstanding performance by a graduating major in Classics.
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS PRIZES
(1902) Cash prizes awarded to students in the College for excellence in the public delivery of English orations. Established by the late Samuel Putnam Avery, Class of 1896, an associate of George William Curtis.
DEUTSCHER VEREIN PRIZE IN GERMAN
(1917) A cash prize awarded annually to the junior or senior who submits the winning essay on a prescribed topic in German literature.
EARLE PRIZE IN CLASSICS
(1907) A cash prize awarded annually for excellence in sight translation of passages of Greek and Latin. Only candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts may compete. Established in memory of Mortimer Lamson Earle, Class of 1886, lecturer and professor in the Department of Classics.
THE JOSHUA A. FEIGENBAUM PRIZE IN LITERATURE HUMANITIES
Established in 2004 by Joshua Feigenbaum and awarded to a student who is judged by the faculty to have exhibited excellence in Literature Humanities.
RTHUR E. FORD POETRY PRIZE
(1980) Awarded annually to the senior who submits the best collection of poems. Established by Mrs. Doris Ford in memory of Arthur E. Ford.
WALLACE A. GRAY PRIZE IN LITERATURE HUMANITIES
(2004) Established in memory of the late Professor Wallace Gray and awarded annually to the Columbia College undergraduate who is judged by the faculty to have written the best essay in Literature Humanities.
DEAN HAWKES MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1943) A cash prize awarded annually to the member of the junior class who is judged to be the most deserving on the basis of work in the humanities. Established by a committee of the Class of 1943 in memory of Dean Herbert E. Hawkes.
JOHN VINCENT HICKEY PRIZE
(2004) Awarded annually to the Columbia College undergraduate who is judged by the Department of English and Comparative Literature to have submitted the best essay on Irish, English, or American poetry. Established by Dr. Helene J.F. de Aguilar in honor of her brother.
ADAM LEROY JONES PRIZE IN LOGIC
(1934) A cash prize awarded to a student in the College for the best essay on any topic in the philosophy of science or in the foundation of logic. It may be either a topic connected with seminar work in the Department of Philosophy or one approved by the Jones Prize Committee. Established by Mrs. Adam Leroy Jones in memory of her husband, who was associate professor of philosophy and director of University Admissions, 1909–1934.
JONATHAN THRONE KOPIT PRIZE IN LOGIC AND RHETORIC
(1997) Established by Mrs. Ina Cohen in memory of her husband, Jonathan Throne Kopit, who was a member of the Class of 1968.
HELEN AND HOWARD R. MARRARO PRIZE
(1972) A cash prize awarded annually to an undergraduate of high academic distinction and promise in an area of study concerned with Italian culture, including art, music, comparative literature, history, economics, government, or in any other academic discipline. Established in honor of professor Howard R. Marraro.
PHILOLEXIAN PRIZE FUND
(1904) A gift of the Philolexian Society, the income from which shall be used for prizes in Columbia College for debating, essays, short stories, and poetry.
PETER M. RICCIO PRIZE
(1992) Awarded to a student who is not a native speaker of Italian but who has an excellent record in the study of some aspect of Italian culture. Established in memory of Peter M. Riccio, student and professor in the College and the University and Director of the Casa Italiana from 1957 to 1966.
BENJAMIN F. ROMAINE PRIZE FUND
(1922) Gift of Benjamin F. Romaine to provide an annual prize for proficiency in Greek language and literature.
JAMES P. SHENTON PRIZE IN
CONTEMPORARY CIVILIZATION
(2004) Awarded annually to the Columbia College undergraduate who is judged by the faculty to have written the best essay in Contemporary Civilization. Established by the on the Core and the Office of the Dean of the College in memory of James P. Shenton, Class of 1949 and GSAS 1955.
THE LOUIS SUDLER PRIZE IN THE ARTS
(1983) A cash prize awarded annually to a senior who, in the opinion of the Faculty, has demonstrated excellence of the highest standards of proficiency in performance or execution or in the field of composition in one of the following general areas of performing and creative arts: music, theatre, painting, sculpture, design, architecture, or film.
VAN RENSSELAER PRIZE
(1926) A cash prize given to the candidate for a degree in Columbia University who is the author of the best example of English lyric verse. Material must be submitted to the Department of English and Comparative Literature by April 1. Gift of Maximilian Foster.
SUSAN HUNTINGTON VERNON PRIZE
(1941) Established by a member of the noted family of Hispanophiles to encourage young women in humanistic pursuits at the college level. Currently offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the Hispanic Institute of Columbia University to the Columbia College senior who has most demonstrated excellence in the study of Spanish language and Spanish and Latin American literatures and cultures.
GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY PRIZE
(1935) A cash prize awarded every second year to an undergraduate student in Columbia University for the best original poem. Established by the Woodberry Society of New York.
Prizes in the Social Sciences
CHARLES A. BEARD PRIZE
(1963) A cash prize awarded every other year to the student who writes the best paper in political science during the academic year. Established by the Honorable Albert Levitt.
CHARLES A. BEARD PRIZE
(2003) Established by the History Department for a senior thesis of superior distinction in any historical field and period.
CHANLER HISTORICAL PRIZE
(1877) A cash prize awarded to the senior who submits the best essay on a topic dealing with the history of civil government in America. The topic to be selected in conjunction with seminar work in one of the social science departments and approved by the chairperson of the Chanler Prize Committee. Established by the bequest of J. Winthrop Chanler of the Class of 1847.
TARAKNATH DAS FOUNDATION AWARD
(1957) A cash prize awarded annually to a student in the College for excellence in Asian studies, particularly in the history and culture of India.
ALBERT MARION ELSBERG PRIZE
(1912) A cash prize, or books having the same value, awarded to a student with sophomore, junior, or senior standing who has demonstrated excellence in modern history. Established by Mrs. Albert Elsberg in memory of her son, Albert Marion Elsberg.
LILY PRIZE IN HISTORY
Awarded by the History Department for academic achievement in the study of history other than that of the United States. Established by Professor James P. Shenton, Columbia College Class of 1949 and GSAS Class of 1955, in honor of his mother.
GARRETT MATTINGLY PRIZE
(2003) Established by the History Department for a senior thesis of superior distinction in any historical field and period.
SANFORD S. PARKER PRIZE
(1980) A cash prize awarded annually, at the discretion of a special committee, to a Columbia College senior going on to graduate study in economics who shows promise of doing original work and has already demonstrated boldness of thought and a commitment to excellence, whose interests are wide, heart kind, and spirit generous. Funded by the family and friends in memory of Sanford S. Parker, Class of 1937.
EDWIN ROBBINS ACADEMIC RESEARCH/ PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIP
(1991) A stipend awarded each summer to four Columbia College students majoring in political science or history who intend to conduct research into important political or policy making matters, or who will be working as interns, without compensation, in a governmental office, agency, or other public service organization. Established by Edwin Robbins, Class of 1953.
ROMINE PRIZE
(1996) A cash prize awarded annually to two undergraduate students who have done exemplary work in the field of economics. Established by John Romine in honor of his brother, David Estabrook Romine.
CAROLINE PHELPS STOKES PRIZE
(1910) A cash prize awarded annually to a student who has been a degree candidate for at least one academic year at Columbia College or Barnard College, and who has written the best essay on any topic concerning the rights of man. The topic to be selected in connection with course or seminar work and approved by the Stokes Prize Committee. Established by the bequest of Caroline Phelps Stokes.
ALAN J. WILLEN MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1968) A cash prize awarded to the Columbia College student who writes the best seminar paper on a contemporary American political problem. The selection is made jointly by representatives of the Departments of History and Political Science. Established by classmates and friends of Alan J. Willen, Class of 1964, in his memory.
Prizes in the Natural and Physical Sciences
COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AWARD
A cash prize awarded to a degree candidate for scholastic achievements as a computer science major and as acknowledgment of his or her contributions to the Department of Computer Science, to Columbia College, and to the University as a whole.
RUSSELL C. MILLS AWARD
(1992) Established in memory og Russell C. Mills, a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science who exemplified academic excellence and intellectual curiosity, and presented annually to the senior in Computer Science whose course work and projects stand out as the best in the class.
ALFRED MORITZ MICHAELIS PRIZE
(1926) A cash prize awarded annually to the member of the graduating class who has completed with the most proficiency the sequence of courses in physics that corresponds most nearly to the sequence given by the late Professor George V. Wendell. Established by Mrs. Jeanette Michaelis in memory of her son, Alfred Moritz Michaelis, Class of 1920.
I. I. RABI KANN-RASMUSSEN PRIZE IN MATHEMATICS
(1998) A cash prize awarded annually to the third-year Columbia College student who writes the best examination in subjects prescribed by the Mathematics Department. Established by the V. Kann-Rasmussen Foundation in honor of Nobel Laureate and Columbia faculty member I. I. Rabi.
PROFESSOR VAN AMRINGE
MATHEMATICAL PRIZE
(1910) A cash prize presented annually to three College students (a first-year, a sophomore, and a junior) who are deemed most proficient in the mathematical subjects designated during the year of the award. Established by George G. DeWitt, Class of 1867.
JOHN DASH VAN BUREN JR. PRIZE IN MATHEMATICS
(1906) A cash prize awarded annually to the degree candidate who writes the best examination on subjects prescribed by the Department of Mathematics. Established by Mrs. Louise T. Hoyt in memory of her nephew, John Dash Van Buren Jr., Class of 1905
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