Awards and Prizes

Prizes for Academic Achievement
Awards and Prizes For Athletic Achievement
Awards and Prizes For Special Accomplishments

Prizes for Academic Achievement

General

Faculty Scholarship Prize (1922)
Awarded to a member of the junior class who has shown exceptional ability both in scholastic pursuits and in at least one extra-curricular activity (e.g., athletics, music, dramatics, college publications or governance, religious or humanitarian service).

Elbridge Pierce Prize for Scholastic Improvement (1957)
Awarded to the senior who has made the greatest scholastic improvement since the end of the freshman year. Established by Mr. Pierce, Knox College trustee 1956-60.

John C. Weigel Prize (1961)
Awarded to the member of the graduating class with the highest scholastic achievement. Amount of prize is increased if the winner plans to attend graduate school. Established anonymously in honor of Mr. Weigel, Lombard class of 1908.

E. Inman Fox Prize (1982)
Awarded to the senior student whose scholarly achievement and pursuit of a truly liberal education are exceptional among peers and who has demonstrated a thirst for knowledge and well developed habits of rational inquiry and intellectual discourse, as well as a desire to understand varieties of human expression. Established by gifts received to honor E. Inman Fox, President of Knox College 1974-82.

American Studies

Hermann R. Muelder Prize (1974)
Awarded for academic excellence in American Studies. Established by gifts of friends and colleagues to honor Professor Muelder, class of 1927, upon his retirement.

Anthropology and Sociology

Howell Atwood Award (1980)
Awarded to the graduating senior doing the most outstanding work in anthropology and sociology. Established by an anonymous donor in memory of J. Howell Atwood, professor of sociology 1930-60, and subsequently endowed by gift from Mrs. Atwood.

Art

Elda Crichton Campbell Print Prizes (1966)
Awarded for excellence in printmaking. Established by Dr. James A. Campbell, class of 1939, in honor of his wife.

Bender Prizes in Sculpture (1968)
Awarded at the Al Young Art Contest and Exhibit. Established by Beverly Bender, class of 1940.

Young Prizes in Art (1968)
Awarded at the Al Young Art Contest and Exhibit. Established by Albert C. Young, class of 1969, to honor his father and mother, Albert George and Anna Elisabeth Young. Continued by his sister Ann Young, class of 1968, upon his death in 1993. Prizes are awarded in the areas of ceramics, drawing, painting, photography and prints.

Isaac O. Peterson Studio Award (1973)
Awarded to an art student to recognize and encourage exceptional promise. Established by his former students in honor of Isaac Peterson, Knox faculty 1948-79.

Matthew Dale Gunther Prize in Drawing (1982)
Awarded at the Al Young Art Contest and Exhibit. Established by Marie Maltby Gunther, class of 1936, in memory of her grandson.

Dick Blick Company Prize in Graphic Design (2005)
Awarded at the Al Young Art Contest and Exhibit for excellence in graphic design. Established by Dick Blick Company.

Asian Studies

Mikiso Hane Asian Studies Prize (1992)
Awarded to the Knox student who has done the most distinguished work relating to Asian Studies. This interdisciplinary field encompasses a variety of subjects, including history, political science, anthropology, economics and Japanese language. Established by colleagues and friends to honor Professor Mikiso Hane, Knox faculty, 1961-92.

Biology

Alvah Peterson Biology Prize (1972)
Awarded to a junior or senior student majoring in biology who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance in biology courses and/or research. Established by Mrs. Peterson, family and friends in memory of Alvah Peterson, class of 1911.

David "Burney" Dunn Fund for Students' Field Research (1994)
Provides resources needed by students who are conducting field research in biology, ecology and/or environmental science. The Fund was established by family and friends in memory of David “Burney” Dunn, class of 1990.

Inn-Siang Ooi Prize (1986)
Awarded to the Knox student who has demonstrated skill in field biology, a commitment to conservation, and a concern about human co-existence with the other species of this planet. Established by the International Club to memorialize Inn-Siang Ooi, class of 1984.

P. J. Deoras Student Research Fund (1990)
Provides annual awards for research support to outstanding Knox junior or senior students interested in environmental studies (ecology) and closely related fields in the biological sciences. Preference for Deoras Research Awards shall go to those considering careers in college teaching and/or research. The Fund was established by family and friends of Purushottam Jaikrishna Deoras, an eminent scientist, world renowned entomologist and herpetologist, and dedicated professor. The Deoras Fund is part of the endowment for the Ford Fellows Program.

Chemistry

Leland Harris Award in Chemistry (1989)
Awarded to the graduating senior chemistry major who, in the judgment of departmental faculty, has conducted the best undergraduate research in chemistry. Additional awards are available for selected other students to carry out independent research activities. Established by colleagues and former students in honor of Leland Harris, Knox faculty 1957-87.

Russell P. Sutton Prize in Organic Chemistry (2000)
Awarded to a sophomore or other student(s) with the highest achievement in Knox’s organic chemistry course sequence. Established with gifts from family, colleagues, friends and former students following Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Russ Sutton’s (faculty 1958-91) death in 1998.

Classics

Lawrence Prizes in Latin and Greek (1894)
Awarded to students in recognition of academic excellence in the study of first year Latin, first year Greek, advanced Latin, and advanced Greek. Established by George A., class of 1875, and Ella Park Lawrence, class of 1878.

Computer Science

Paul's Prize in Computer Science (1982)
Awarded annually to a senior showing great potential for a distinguished career in computing or computer science. Recipient need not be a computer science major but must have exhibited problem solving skills and an enthusiastic interest in computer science. Established by Cecile Smith, longtime employee of Knox, in honor of her brother, Paul H. Smith 1927-97.

Ron Asplund Memorial Research Award (1987)
Awarded to a student or students completing a research project in computer science. Established by gifts of Ann Asplund and friends in memory of Ron Asplund, friend of the College.

Economics

Sylvia and Irwin Jaffe Memorial Prize Fund (2008)
Awarded to an outstanding female student majoring in economics based on academic achievement, participation in extra-curricular activities, leadership and service to others. Established by Kent and Theresa Jaffe to honor Sylvia and Irwin Jaffe, grandparents of Erica A. Jaffe, class of 2008.

Vinton C. Johnson Prize (1979)
Awarded to the outstanding senior economics major. Established by Vinton C. Johnson, class of 1926.

Charles and Arvilla Timme Fellowship Award (1993)
Awarded to students for projects in economics and related fields that are part of the Ford Fellowship program. Established by the estate of Colonel Charles Timme.

Educational Studies

Christopher E. Johnson Award (2009)
Awarded to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the qualities needed in a great teacher: character, tenacity, dedication, and a positive attitude. Established to honor Christopher E. Johnson, a Knox College educational studies major who, through hard work and perseverance, became a teacher who will make a tremendous difference for the positive in the lives of children.

English

Lorraine Smith Prize in English (1929)
Awarded to the sophomore writing the best essay in an English course. Prize given in books. Established by Nellie Johnson Smith, class of 1898, in memory of her daughter, class of 1930.

A. Eugene and Ella Stewart Davenport Literary Awards (1960)
Prizes in creative writing of fiction, playwriting, and poetry. Established by John Davenport, Knox faculty 1945-72, in memory of his parents.

Nina Marie Edwards Memorial Fund (1989)
Provides assistance to junior and senior students carrying out independent or honors projects in the field of English and English Writing. Established by colleagues to honor Ms. Edwards, a member of the class of 1921.

The Scripps Prize (1974)
Awarded to the graduating senior receiving the highest grades in English. Established by Mrs. Wayne Haynes in memory of her father, William Scripps, class of 1878.

Howard A. Wilson Prize (1986)
Annual prizes awarded to the Knox students writing the best pieces of literary criticism during an academic year. Selection by the English department faculty. Named in honor of Professor Howard Wilson, Knox faculty 1946-80. Established by members of the faculty, former students, and friends.

Beverly K. White and Friends Creative Writing Prize (1987)
Awarded annually to a beginning writer for the outstanding piece of creative writing during the year. Established by friends and classmates in memory of Beverly White, class of 1979.

Proctor Fenn Sherwin Short Story Award (1995)
Awarded to a senior student who submits the best original short story. Established by Mary-Louise Dilworth Rea, class of 1936, in honor of Proctor Fenn Sherwin, Knox faculty 1924-1957.

Elizabeth Haywood English Research Award (1997)
Research award created in memory of Elizabeth Haywood, a 1988 Knox graduate, by her parents, husband and sister. The fund provides support for female English majors who desire to pursue study of English people and language for a term or summer in Great Britain or Ireland.

William E. Brady Award (2008)
Awarded each year to honor the senior literature major with the best performance in the senior seminar. Established in memory of Professor William E. Brady, Knox faculty from 1962 to 1994, by family, faculty, former students, and friends.

Environmental Studies

Lawrence L. DeMott Prize (Revised 2002)
Awarded to a senior with outstanding grades who has taken all available earth sciences courses and whose senior project is focused on a subject/research relevant to geological field. Established by family, friends and former students of Dr. DeMott, Knox faculty 1962-82.

First-year Preceptorial

Proctor Fenn Sherwin Prize in Freshman Writing (1987)
Awarded to the student writing the best First-year Preceptorial paper. Established by Robert H. Russell, class of 1949.

History

Szold Prize in History (1943)
Awarded for extraordinary merit in the field of history. Established by Robert Szold, class of 1909.

Dorothy Inness Stanford Award (1979)
Awarded annually to the student with the highest scholastic average in American history for the academic year. Established by bequest of Mabel Inness, class of 1909, in memory of her sister.

Dennis E. Donham Prize in History (1982)
Awarded annually for the best essay written in a history class. Established by Mr. Donham, class of 1966.

Journalism

Theodore Hazen Kimble Memorial Award in Journalism (1954)
Awarded in the spring to the Knox student who, during the preceding year, has contributed the best feature article published in The Knox Student. Established by Ralph A. and Ruth Hazen Kimble, both class of 1918, to memorialize their son, class of 1946.

Ida M. Tarbell Memorial Prize for Investigative Reporting (1999)
The Tarbell Prize was established in 1999 by an anonymous alumna to commemorate Miss Tarbell’s effectiveness as an investigative reporter and her ties to Knox College. The prize is awarded to the student who, during that academic year, presented the best article or series based on investigative reporting.

Library

Bookfellow Library Prize (1976)
Given for the research paper showing the most sophisticated and productive use of library resources.

Mathematics

Clark Mills Carr Prize in Mathematics (1901)
Awarded on the basis of a comprehensive examination in mathematics through calculus. Examination not open to seniors. Established by Col. Clark E. Carr, class of 1859, and Sarah Mills Carr, class of 1872, in memory of their son, class of 1898. The principal was enlarged in 1962 by a gift from Carl Ohman, class of 1951.

Victoria Legner Junod Prize in Mathematics (1986)
Awarded annually to the outstanding senior math major. Established in memory of Victoria Legner Junod, class of 1964, by her husband, Charles F. Junod, class of 1964, Knox classmates, friends, and family.

Medical Sciences

Lazlo J. Nemeth Memorial Research Scholarship Award (1992)
Provides for awards to support scientific research by Knox students who are preparing for careers in medicine or related fields. Awards are made annually by Knox College faculty on the basis of merit and need. The Fund was established by a bequest from Lazlo J. Nemeth, M.D., class of 1973. The Nemeth Fund is part of the endowment for the Ford Fellows Program.

Modern Languages

Lorraine Smith Prize in French (1929)
Awarded to the sophomore doing the best work in French writing. Prize given in books. Established by Nellie Johnson Smith, class of 1898, in memory of her daughter.

Sherman W. Brown Memorial (1974)
Awarded to a student planning to attend an overseas program who shows promise of outstanding academic performance while overseas. Preference is given to a student participating in the Barcelona program. Established by gifts from friends in memory of Sherman W. Brown, Knox faculty 1938-69.

Helen Rudd Arnold Prize (1981)
Awarded at the end of the junior year to the student majoring in French who has the highest overall grade point average and is ranked in the top 30 percent of the class. Established by David R. Arnold, class of 1937, in memory of his mother.

Sally Coleman Prize in Spanish Literature (1981)
Awarded annually to a senior who, in the judgment of the Spanish staff, has made the most distinguished record in the study of Spanish letters. Established by Robert H. Russell, class of 1949, in memory of Miss Coleman, Knox faculty 1922-54.

Lilly Lindahl Prize in German (1990)
Awarded each spring to the graduating senior German major who has established the best record in the major while maintaining a distinguished record overall. Established by Ross and Kay Vander Meulen to honor Lilly Lindahl, Knox faculty 1928-68.

Music

Janet Greig Post Prize in Music (1947)
For original composition in music or for excellence in performance, to the senior who, in the judgment of the music faculty, merits this distinction. Established by Mrs. Post, class of 1894.

Ruth Lockwood Goodsill Prize (1966)
Awarded to an upperclass music major deemed an outstanding performer, composer, or author of a scholarly paper. Established by Claire Goodsill Chandler, class of 1904; Inez Goodsill Heubner, class of 1910; and M. Max Goodsill, class of 1912, in memory of their sister who attended the Knox conservatory 1902-04.

Clarence Hubert Johnson Award (1967)
Awarded to the student who makes the greatest voice improvement in the music department. Established by bequest of Jessie Van Clute Johnson, class of 1902, in memory of her husband.

Don C. M. Bracker Award (1985)
Awarded to a senior music major on the basis of leadership, character, and service to the band or orchestra. Established by Ada May Bracker in memory of her son, class of 1944.

David Lowry Jazz Award (2001)
Established by friends and family in memory of David O. Lowry, class of 1997. The award is given annually to a student(s) who shows great improvement as a jazz performer, who is nurturing and helpful to other musicians, who is a zealous promoter of jazz music and Knox College’s Jazz program, or who is simply an outstanding jazz musician.

Lucille Sudbury Prize (2005)
Awarded to a student for the best original composition or performance during the academic year. The prize was established through a trust by the estate of Lucille Sudbury, Lombard class of 1929.

Louise Tryon Music Prize Award (2006)
For the most promising female voice or piano student during the student's final year of study. Established by Marilyn J. Smith and Patricia A. Waters in honor of their parents, Wayne & Ruth Page Tryon, and to preserve the memory of Louise Tryon, class of 1885.

Philosophy

Merritt H. Moore Prize in Philosophy (1957)
Awarded to the author of the outstanding philosophy paper during the preceding year. Established anonymously to honor Dr. Moore, professor of philosophy at Knox 1933-55.

Physics

Smith Prize in Physics (1955; Revised 2003)
Awarded to a senior physics major who has demonstrated outstanding ability and performance in the classroom and laboratory. At least one-third of the prize shall be taken in books selected by the winner. Established in memory of Murray and Alice Wolfram Smith, both class of 1925, and Mr. Smith's mother by George W. and Mary Lee Sackett Smith, both class of 1954.

Porter Prize (1978)
Awarded for excellence in solving difficult practical physical problems requiring solution of differential equations through the iterative process. Established by Carroll D. Porter, class of 1932.

Robert R. Mariner Family Research Award (1989)
Awarded annually to a junior student who is conducting a research project in physics during his or her senior year. Established by family and friends in memory of Robert R. Mariner, class of 1941, and his daughter, Nancy Mariner, class of 1969.

Political Science and International Relations

John W. Burgess Prize in Political Science (1975)
Awarded annually to a senior political science major for scholarly excellence and community leadership. Named in honor of Professor Burgess, Knox faculty 1869-73. The donor is anonymous.

Dean Acheson Prize (1979)
Awarded to the senior political science and international relations major who best combines a distinguished academic performance with those personal qualities that give promise of a significant contribution in the field of foreign affairs. Established by John A. Houston, professor of political science at Knox 1954-80.

Psychology

Edith Powers Van Dyke Memorial Award in Psychology (1981)
Awarded annually to the student who, during the previous academic year, made the greatest contribution to psychology at Knox College. Established by Clifford C. Van Dyke, class of 1951, and family friends in memory of his wife, class of 1952.

Robert Stevens Harper Prize (1987, Revised 2007)
Awarded annually to the student who best exemplifies Professor Harper’s philosophy of education, and who has been accepted into a Ph.D. program in some area of psychology. In addition, the two best research projects (not Honors Projects), submitted by senior students toward completion of the requirements for a major in psychology, will be awarded prizes. Named in honor of Professor Robert S. Harper, Knox faculty 1949-87. Established by his family, colleagues, former students, and friends.

Social Sciences

Steve Floyd Memorial Fund Awards (1994)
Provides for awards to support Ford Fellows and other students who are conducting research and majoring in philosophy, political science and other social sciences. The Fund was established by his wife, Carol Everly Floyd, class of 1968, and family and friends in memory of L. Stevens “Steve” Floyd, class of 1970. The Floyd Fund is part of the endowment for the Ford Fellows Program.

Theatre, Dance and Speech Communication

Colton Prize For Excellence in Public Performance (1876)
Awarded annually to the student judged most outstanding in a public performance in speech or theatre. Established for the Gnothautii Literary Society by Gen. David D. Colton, class of 1853.

May Rodney Bechtel Prize in Public Speaking (1952)
Awarded to the outstanding upperclass student in the advanced courses of speech communication. Established by George O. Bechtel in memory of his wife.

Van Clute Prize (1967)
Awarded to the student making the greatest improvement in the department of Theatre and Dance. Established by bequest of Jessie Van Clute Johnson, class of 1902.

Linda Elizabeth Karger Award in The Theatre Arts (1982)
Awarded to the senior student, selected by the theatre faculty, who has demonstrated extraordinary ability in the field of the theatre arts. Established by an anonymous donor in honor of Linda Elizabeth Karger, class of 1961.

Jean Bloomquist McBath Memorial Production Award in Studio Theatre (1990)
Awarded annually to cover direct expenses associated with productions in Studio Theatre. Established in memory of Jean Bloomquist McBath, class of 1958, by her parents, Paul W. '32 and Mildred Bloomquist.

John Hofsas Prize in Dance (1997)
Awarded to a junior or senior student deemed by the faculty to have given the most outstanding dance performance of the year, either in a public performance or in a dance performance class. Established by Daniel R. and Carol Klimick Cyganowski, in memory of their friend and fellow Knox alumnus John Hofsas, class of 1970.

Awards and Prizes For Athletic Achievement

Men or Women

John W. Hilding Prize (1964)
Awarded to a senior athlete, chosen by coaches and team captains, whose career in varsity sports at Knox is outstanding. Established by Mabel Anderson Adams, class of 1908, in memory of her first husband, class of 1907.

David Agar Athletic Service Award (1980)
Awarded annually to the person making the most significant contribution to Knox athletics in a non-competitive capacity. Established by gifts from family and friends in memory of David Agar, son of Woodbury S. Agar, class of 1956, and Kathryn Berg Agar, class of 1957.

Jeff Sandburg Mental Toughness Award (1995)
Awarded to the senior athlete who is judged to have dealt most effectively with adversity during his or her Knox career. Chosen by a vote of the full-time coaching staff and the Director of Alumni Programs. Established by gifts from family and friends in honor of Jeff Sandburg, class of 1964.

Men

Hunter Trophy (1920)
Awarded to the two-letter male athlete making the highest scholastic average during the junior year. Established by Dr. George W. Hunter, Professor of Biology 1920-26.

Cleave Bridgman Trophy (1970)
Awarded in the spring to the outstanding performer in individual sports at Knox. Established by the Knox chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon in memory of Cleave Bridgman, class of 1968.

Dean Trevor Memorial Award (1973)
Medallion awarded to a senior demonstrating competitive excellence, integrity, honesty, and commitment to scholarship as well as competition. Established by the Knox chapter of Phi Delta Theta in memory of Dean S. Trevor, class of 1926, Knox faculty 1926-69.

Don C. M. Bracker Memorial (1974)
Awarded to the Knox senior voted most valuable to his team by the basketball squad. Established by a gift from Emil M. D. Bracker in memory of his son, class of 1944.

Women

Evelyn Bielefeldt Award (1976)
Awarded to the senior with the most outstanding career in intercollegiate athletics. Established by Mortar Board in honor of Miss Bielefeldt, Knox faculty 1932-69.

Moller Cup (1976)
Awarded to the two-letter athlete making the highest scholastic average during the junior year. Established by Dale Litney, class of 1966, in memory of Glenn Moller, Jr., class of 1968.

Michel Loomis Award (1980)
Awarded by the coaching staff to commemorate the special contributions made by Michel Thompson Loomis during her tenure as a member of the Knox faculty. It is given annually to the outstanding performer in individual sports at Knox.

Dean S. Trevor Award For Women (1980)
Medallion awarded to a senior demonstrating competitive excellence, integrity, honesty, and commitment to scholarship as well as competition. Presented by Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

Awards and Prizes For Special Accomplishments

Pearl Harris Award (1937)
Awarded to a junior woman who has made the greatest contribution as a campus citizen to the life of the College. Given annually by Chapter W, P.E.O., to memorialize Miss Harris, class of 1896.

Arvid Pierre Zetterberg, Jr. Prizes (1945 and 1976)
Awarded to the sophomore man and woman showing an interest in sports and deemed most outstanding in character and leadership during the freshman year. Established by Arvid P. Zetterberg, class of 1905, and Winifred Ingersoll Zetterberg, class of 1912, in memory of their son.

Outstanding Senior Award (1952)
Awarded to the senior who has inspired others through effective leadership given to the community through generous service, and upheld intellectual standards through example. The Fund was originally established by the Knox Association of Women Students as the Senior Woman’s Award and is currently administered by Mortar Board.

Ray M. Arnold Prize (1957)
Awarded to a member of Xi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi who gives promise of being of greatest value to his fellow men, selected by senior members of the fraternity. Established by bequest of Ray M. Arnold, class of 1902.

James and Helen Huntington Johnston Prize (1964)
Awarded to a sophomore woman cited for character and scholarship during the freshman year. Established by Leslie J. Johnston, class of 1903, to memorialize his mother, Knox 1866-67, and father.

Dean Deborah Wing Award (1980)
Plaque awarded each year by Mortar Board to the senior woman whose achievements in scholastic, campus and community activities, and endeavors toward life goals, command respect so as to advance the status of women in the Knox community. Established to honor Deborah Wing, Dean of Women 1958-80.

Philip Haring and John Houston Award (1984)
Awarded to a graduating senior who has contributed the most to promoting international understanding on the campus. Established by the International Club in honor of Philip S. Haring, Knox faculty 1954-81, and John A. Houston, Knox faculty 1954-80.

David R. Arnold Award (1986)
Awarded annually to a student doing an independent research project that supports or enhances the research of a faculty member. The award rotates each year among the divisions of the College. Established by David R. Arnold, class of 1937.

Jeanne Zemek Bohn, Thalia Manganari Papavas, and Theodore Yelich, all class of 1950, Research Awards (1989)
Awarded annually to junior students conducting independent research, assisting faculty in research and/or experimental or innovative teaching, or Honors and Ford Fellowship projects. Established by William H. Fern, class of 1950, to honor his fellow classmates.

Donald L. Benedict Student Research Fund Award (1999, Revised 2005)
Awarded to a student pursuing independent academic research. Will rotate each year between the physics and mathematics departments. Established in memory of Donald L. Benedict, class of 1938, by his widow, Helen H. Benedict, and his family.

Max Schwartzman Labor Prize (2001)
Awarded to a student who best exemplifies a commitment to working people. Must show a submission of a published newspaper article or op-ed piece, a record of a public performance, or a record of leadership in a non-violent demonstration that focus attention on the history of the labor movement and/or the continued struggles for workers’ rights. Established by Associate Professor Peter Schwartzman in memory of his grandfather.

Frank & Ruth Schmitt Student Research Award (2004)
Awarded annually to a junior or senior student(s) pursuing independent research. The fund may rotate among Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry. Established by Steven J. Phillips '71 in honor of his aunt and uncle.

Glenn M. Nagel Undergraduate Research Fund Awards in Chemistry and Biochemistry (2003)
Provides annual awards to support undergraduate student research in chemistry and/or biochemistry. Established by gifts from family and friends in memory of Dr. Glenn Nagel, class of 1966. Dr. Nagel was an advocate for undergraduate research, inquiry-based learning, and the integration of research and education as vital components of college life.