Hartford, Conn. - More than 200 top students were recognized Friday, May 2 for their outstanding scholastic and intellectual achievements. The 58th annual Honors Day Ceremony in the Trinity College Chapel.
The ceremony originated when former Trinity College President George Keith Funston, who served from 1945 to 1951, re-established the College’s academic pageantry, which had been curtailed during World War II. Matriculation and the Book Ceremony for first-year students were brought back, and, in the spring of 1950, Honors Day was added as a new ceremony. It was intended to be an occasion when all Trinity prizes and awards—with the exception of those given out at Commencement—could be celebrated in the presence of the entire College community.
The Human Relations Award is awarded annually to an undergraduate who during the year has exhibited outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship. Sportsmanship is interpreted in its broadest sense and does not necessarily include achievement in athletics.
presented by Christopher D. Card, Associate Dean of Students
Crystal Nieves ’08
Verdell N. Walker ’09
The Class of 1922 Award, established in 1974 by vote of the Class, is granted annually to a graduating senior who has done outstanding work in a particular academic field.
presented by Ann E. Reuman, Associate Dean of Students
Manpreet Kaur ’08, Psychology
The David Winer Award is given by the Senior Class Committee in recognition of David Winer’s 22 years of commitment to improving student life as Dean of Students at Trinity College. The award is given to a member of the College community who is committed to improving the quality of life for students at Trinity in an especially meaningful way.
presented by David Winer, Professor of Psychology and Dean of Students, Emeritus, Hana Cho ’08, Katie Lenz ’08, Emily A. Moore ’08
Thamar Rodriguez, Chartwells Mather Hall Dining Hall Manager
The Connecticut Commandery, Military Order of Foreign Wars Book Award is made to the member of the graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities.
presented by James F. Jones, Jr., President and Trinity College Professor in the Humanities
Andrew P. Pedro ’08
The James Goodwin Greek Prizes, founded in 1884 by Mrs. James Goodwin of Hartford, are offered to students in Greek who attain the highest grade of excellence in the courses taken and in a special examination. A student who has received a prize is not again eligible to compete for the same prize. The winners also are awarded a Greek coin of the classical period. The examination, to be held in April, is designed to test the student’s general knowledge of Greek and skill in sight translation such as he or she may properly be expected to acquire from reading in connection with courses.
presented by Peter Mazur, Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics
Joseph A. Ricci ’08
The Melvin W. Title Latin Prizes, founded in 1958 by the late Melvin W. Title of the Class of 1918, are offered to students in Latin who attain the highest grade of excellence in the courses taken and in a special examination. A student who has received a prize is not again eligible to compete for the same prize. The examination, to be held in April, is designed to test the student’s general knowledge of Latin and skill in sight translation such as he may properly be expected to acquire from reading in connection with courses.
presented by Alexander Title Lowengard
First Prize: Joseph A. Ricci ’08
Second Prize: Alexandra F. Hoffmann ’08
The Rev. Paul H. Barbour Prizes in Greek were established in honor of the Rev. Paul H. Barbour of the Class of 1909 on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday. They are given to the students who achieve excellence in a special examination in Greek.
presented by Peter Mazur, Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics
First Prize: Patrick H. McCarthy ’09
Second Prize: Kimberly A. Yagovane ’09
The John C. Williams Prize in Greek was established by his students, colleagues, and friends in 1992 in honor of Professor John C. Williams, Hobart Professor of Classical Languages, Emeritus. It is awarded to the student or students who have demonstrated excellence in the study of first-year Greek.
presented by John C. Williams, Hobart Professor of Classical Languages, Emeritus
First Prize: Brian W. Cheney ’10 and Rachel A. Foecking ’11
The James A. Notopoulos Latin Prizes are from a fund named after Professor James A. Notopoulos in appreciation of his interest in promoting high ideals of learning. The fund was established by an anonymous donor who has suggested that the income from this fund be used to offer a prize primarily for first-year excellence in attainment of Latin, then to upperclassmen. The examination, to be held in April, is designed to test the student’s general knowledge of Latin and skill in sight translation such as he or she may properly be expected to acquire from reading in connection with courses.
presented by Joseph Notopoulos
Brian W. Cheney ’10
Book Prizes for Excellence in Modern Languages are presented to students who have shown outstanding progress and achievement in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Portuguese, or Russian at the College.
Arabic: Seth R. Banever ’17
presented by Levana Polate, Principal Lecturer in Modern Languages and Literature and International Studies
Chinese: Steven K. Ching ’08, Nicholas T. Reece ’08, and Adam A. Wright ’10
presented by Naogan Ma, Principal Lecturer in Modern Languages and Literature and International Studies
French: Lisa E. Bottomley ’08, Eveline B. Case ’09, and Peter C. Holland ’09
presented by Jean-Marc Kehres, Assistant Professor of Modern Languages and Literature
German: Colin M. Adams ’08
presented by Peter Rosenbaum, Visiting Lecturer in Modern Languages and Literature
Japanese: Alexis O. Valle ’09
presented by Rieko Wagoner, Principal Lecturer of Modern Languages and Literature and International Studies
Russian: Tatyana L. Bulloch ’08
presented by Katherine Lahti, Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Literature
The Chinese Cultural Center Award is given annually to students who excel in learning the Chinese language and culture, and making a contribution to promote the Chinese culture on campus. For over 20 years, The Chinese Cultural Center and Trinity College have been partners and the result of this partnership has been enormously beneficial to both sides. Hundreds of boys and girls have learned Chinese in Trinity classrooms on Sundays and an array of cultural events and open forums for both communities have also been a highlight of this union.
Not awarded
The PRESHCO Prize in Hispanic Studies was established in 1986 by the Programa de Estudios Hispánicos en Córdoba (Spain), of which Trinity College is a member. It is awarded to a Spanish major or majors who have achieved excellence in courses devoted to Spanish language, culture, and literature.
presented by Anne C. Gebelein, Visiting Assistant Professor of Modern Languages and Literature
Monique L. Myers ’08
The PRESHCO Prize in Latin American Studies is awarded for distinction in Spanish achieved by a graduating senior majoring in Latin American Studies.
presented by Anne C. Gebelein, Visiting Assistant Professor of Modern Languages and Literature
David A. Lenzner ’08
Kaitlin M. Prendergast ’08
The Erasmus Prize in the Humanities was established in 2001 by John Molner ’85 and David Molner ’91 in honor of Kenneth Lloyd-Jones, John J. McCook Professor of Modern Languages, and a member of the faculty since 1978. It is awarded annually to the junior or senior adjudged to have written the best essay in the humanities after completion of the sophomore year.
presented by Johannes Evelein, Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Literature
Alexander D. Manevitz ’09; Marat’s Pahntoms: The Creation of the Girondins
The Ronald H. Ferguson Prizes in French were established in 1951 in memory of Ronald H. Ferguson, Class of 1922. The prizes are awarded to students for excellence in overall work within the major.
presented by Jean-Marc Kehres, Assistant Professor of Modern Languages and Literature
David C. Calder ’08
Thomas M. Dolan III ’08
Elizabeth R. Hellman ’08
The Cesare Barbieri Endowment Prize is awarded to a student for achievement in Italian Studies.
presented by Guiliana Palma, Principal Lecturer in Modern Languages and Literature
Giovanni Capalbo ’08
The Samuel Barbin Coco Scholarship Award was established in 1992 by Hannalou and Samuel B. Coco in honor of their daughter, Caroline S. Coco ’85. The award is to provide financial assistance to a rising junior who wishes to spend either the Fall or Spring Term at the Trinity College Rome Campus. Preference is given to a student pursuing Italian Studies.
presented Guiliana Palma, Principal Lecturer in Modern Languages and Literature
Jamie C. Merolla ’10
The Lova and Tania Eliav Prize for Excellence in Hebrew honors author, teacher, and humanitarian, Israeli leader Arie Lova Eliav and Tania, his Lithuanian-born wife, whom he met while in command of blockade-running ships bringing 1,000 Holocaust survivors to Palestine. This prize was established in 1999 by their friends and colleagues at Trinity College.
presented by Levana Polate, Principal Lecturer in Modern Languages and Literature and International Studies
Sheila Marie McGourty ’09
The Abraham Joshua Heschel Prize is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of religion.
presented by Ellison B. Findly, Professor of Religion and International Studies
Lindsey J. Eichler ’08
The First-Year Hebrew Award in Hebrew Grammar is given to encourage the study of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible among college students. It is awarded to the first-year student who demonstrates the best understanding of the Hebrew language as a tool for the scholarly study of the Bible.
Not awarded
The Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin Prize in Jewish Studies is awarded annually for excellence in Jewish Studies to a member of the junior or senior class. The prize is in memory of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and given by Berel and Helen Lang in honor of Sarah Stamm Lang.
presented by Samuel D. Kassow ’66, Charles H. Northam Professor of History
Jacob M. Donnelly ’09
The John Andrew Gettier Prize in Hebrew Bible, established in 2001 by Robert Benjamin, Jr., of the Class of 1971, is awarded to that undergraduate, preferably a senior, who demonstrates significant academic and personal growth as a student of the Hebrew Bible.
presented by John A. Gettier, Professor of Religion, Emeritus and Robert Benjamin, Jr. ’71
Anthony L. Riley ’08
The Richard K. Morris Book Award for Excellence in Education is given annually to the member of the senior class who best fulfills the following qualifications: communicates effectively, stimulates inquiry, demonstrates excellence in scholarship, manifests moral and ethical attitudes towards professional responsibility, and participates in community activities in an educational capacity. This award is given by the Trinity Education Graduate Association in honor of the late Richard K. Morris, a former Professor of Education.
presented by John R. Morgan and John A. Dougherty, Associate Professor of Educational Studies
Heather C. Moore ’08
Jesse F. Wanzer ’08
The Jonathan Levin Prize in Education, established by a member of the Trinity College Class of 1960 who chooses to be anonymous, is presented annually to a junior or senior who plans to pursue a career teaching in an area with a high proportion of disadvantaged youth. The prize is given in memory of Jonathan Levin ’88, who, as a teacher at William H. Taft High School in the Bronx, New York, dedicated his life to improving the lives of young people. Recipients must possess a superior academic record, intend to pursue a teaching career, and demonstrate a commitment to help young people through practice teaching, tutoring, mentoring, or equivalent activity.
presented by Carol N. Levin
Keisha T. John ’08
Kelly A. Mearns ’08
The Women’s Club of Trinity College Award is awarded to a graduating IDP student for superior academic and personal achievement.
presented by Louise H. Fisher, Director of Special Academic Programs, Retired
First Prize: Eric F. Peterson ’08
Second Prize: Rhonda Duggan ’08 and Paulette C. Studley ’08
The Mears Prize was established under the will of Dr. J. Ewing Mears of the Class of 1858. It is awarded by the Faculty on the recommendation of the Chairman of the Department of Physical Education. The prize is awarded to the Trinity undergraduate student who writes the best essay on a topic announced by the Department of Physical Education. The topic may change from year to year, and will be one relevant to college physical education or athletics. No prize is awarded unless two or more students are competing.
Not awarded
The Eastern College Athletic Conference “Outstanding Scholar-Athlete” Award is presented annually to the senior male who is voted the most outstanding in athletics and scholarship.
presented by Robin L. Sheppard, Professor of Physical Education and Associate Director of Athletics
Michael J. Robinson IV ’08
The Susan E. Martin “Outstanding Scholar-Athlete” Award is presented annually to the senior female who has combined excellence on the fields of competition with excellence in the classroom. This award was established in 1978 from the proceeds of pledges to runners who competed in the faculty-student marathon race and was named for “Suzie” Martin ’71, who was one of the first Trinity women to compete in intercollegiate athletics.
presented by Robin L. Sheppard, Professor of Physical Education and Associate Director of Athletics
Aliza S. Turek-Herman ’08
The Bob Harron “Outstanding Scholar-Athlete” Award, established in 1971 by his friends in memory of Bob Harron, former Director of College Relations at Trinity, is presented annually to the junior male who is voted the most outstanding in athletics and scholarship.
presented by Robin L. Sheppard, Professor of Physical Education and Associate Director of Athletics
Gautam A. Samarth ’09
The Board of Fellows “Outstanding Scholar-Athlete” Award was established by the Board in 1979 and is presented annually to the junior female who is voted most outstanding in athletics and scholarship.
presented by Robin L. Sheppard, Professor of Physical Education and Associate Director of Athletics
Stacy E. Hathcox ’09
The Robert R. Bartlett Award is presented annually to the male and female students who have combined excellence in athletics with devotion to community and/or campus service. This award was established in 1992 by Mrs. Louise Bartlett and friends in honor of the 60th anniversary of her late husband’s graduation from Trinity College in 1929.
presented by Robin L. Sheppard, Professor of Physical Education and Associate Director of Athletics
Spencer L. Durland ’08
Lindsey J. Eichler ’08
The Blanchard W. Means Prize in Philosophy was established by Louise Means in memory of her husband Blanchard W. Means, Brownell Professor of Philosophy and a member of the Trinity faculty from 1932-1972. The prize is awarded to a currently enrolled Trinity student who writes the philosophical essay judged best by the Philosophy Department faculty.
presented by Todd Ryan, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Benjamin M. Schacht ’08
The Women’s Empowerment Activist Award was established by the Women and Gender Resource Action Center in 2005. The award is granted annually to a student who has exhibited extraordinary initiative, enthusiasm, and effort towards the education, empowerment, and betterment of the lives of female students on campus.
presented by Laura R. Lockwood, Director of the Women and Gender Resource Action Center
Isis M. Irizarry ’10
Rebecca M. Loeb ’10
Alumni Prizes in English Composition, from the income of a fund contributed by the Alumni, are awarded to the students who present the best essays on subjects approved by the Department of English. Essays originally prepared for academic courses, for publication in the Trinity Tripod, or especially for the contest will be accepted.
presented by Irene Papoulis, Senior Lecturer in the Allan K. Smith Center for Writing and Rhetoric
First Prize: Megan H. Schlichtig ’10, “Metamorphosis”
Second Prize: Lucas A. Blanchard ’10, “Metal Wood Stone Heat”
The F. A. Brown Prizes, founded in 1897 by Mrs. Martha W. Brown of Hartford in memory of her husband, are awarded to students who deliver the best orations.
presented by Chloe Wheatley, Assistant Professor of English
First Prize: John K. Lockwood ’08, “Juiced: The rampant use and abuse of performance enchancing drugs in Trinity classrooms”
Second Prize: Gwendolyn M. Hopkins ’08, “How to make the most of your time at Trinity”
Third Prize: Tracy M. Wright ’08, “The new face of race relations in America”
The Jan Cohn Senior Thesis Award, established in 2005 by the Trinity English Department, will be presented annually to the English major who is judged to have written the best Senior Thesis for the year. The prize honors the memory of Jan K. Cohn, one of the College’s most vibrant teachers. She was former Dean of the Faculty of Trinity College and G. Keith Funston Professor of American Literature and American Studies.
presented by Chloe Wheatley, Assistant Professor of English
Lorie A. Napolitano ’08, “Absurd Bildungsroman: Culture, Community, and Communcation in Pynchon and Vonnegut”
The Academy of American Poets Prize was established by Trinity College in conjunction with the Academy of American Poets and the University and College Poetry Prize Program. It is awarded in recognition of the best individual poem written by a Trinity College student.
presented by Chloe Wheatley, Assistant Professor of English
Janaki Challa ’11, “Finding the Origin of Moonlight Sonata”
The Ruel Crompton Tuttle Prizes were established in 1941 by the bequest of Ruel Crompton Tuttle of Windsor, Connecticut, Class of 1889, to be awarded annually by the Chairperson of the English Department to the two students who are deemed the best and second-best scholars in the English Department from the junior class. The terms of award rest solely on the judgment and discretion of the Chairperson of the English Department.
presented by Sheila M. Fisher, Associate Professor of English
Molly L. Dince ’09
Alicia M. Ramadei ’09
The Jim Murray Memorial Foundation Scholarship, established in 2000 by Linda McCoy-Murray, is awarded to a Connecticut resident sophomore English major for the best essay on a specific topic on sports journalism. It was established to honor the alumnus English major Jim Murray ’43. The English Department will review submitted essays. One finalist is selected as a Murray Scholar.
presented by Sheila M. Fisher, Associate Professor of English
Ryan T. Haney ’10
The Fred Pfeil Memorial Prize in Creative Writing is awarded to a student who has written a literary work (fiction, poetry, playscript, screenplay, creative nonfiction), the content of which addresses the issue of social justice and the impact of culture and politics on human relationships. The prize honors Fred Pfeil’s commitment to literature and to activism.
presented by Paul Lauter, Allan K. and Gwendolyn Miles Smith Professor of English
Gwendolyn M. Hopkins ’08, “Putting on My Fayda Face: Learning to Shop in Senagal”
John Curtis Underwood ’96 Memorial Prizes in Poetry are annual awards established by the late Mr. Clarence I. Penn of the Class of 1912. Original manuscripts should be submitted to the Department of English.
presented by Sheila M. Fisher, Associate Professor of English
First Prize: Kristin E. Rocha ’10, “When I Leave You, Sick Pretty Dream, The Lullaby, and Family Heirloom”
Second Prize: Rebecca L. Aberle ’08, “she was a painter, Thwack-Thwack, a poet, and autumn beds”
The Hugh S. Ogden Poetry Prize was established by family, friends, former students, and colleagues in loving memory of Hugh S. Ogden, Professor of English at the College from 1967 through 2006. The prize will be awarded annually to an alumnus or alumna who has shown exemplary talent and commitment to poetry. Recipients of the prize will be selected by a committee made up of an Ogden family member, a Trinity alumnus/a, and a faculty member in the English Department. The recipients will receive an honorarium from the College and be provided with funding for their return to the College to present a poetry reading during the month of March in honor of Professor Ogden’s birthday.
Chase Twichell ’73
The John Dando Prizes were established by friends and former students of the late Professor Emeritus John Dando, in recognition of his distinguished career, spanning three decades as a teacher of Shakespeare in the English Department. The prizes are awarded annually to one or two undergraduates for outstanding work in the study of Shakespeare.
presented by Dianne Hunter, Professor of English and Milla Riggio, James J. Goodwin Professor of English
David C. Calder ’08
William F. Moffett, Jr. ’10
Trinity Alumnus Prizes in Prose Fiction are annual awards established by the late Mr. Clarence I. Penn of the Class of 1912. Original manuscripts of short stories or novelettes are to be submitted to the Department of English.
presented by Sheila M. Fisher, Associate Professor of English
First Prize: Kristin E. Rocha ’10, “The Wastebasket”
Second Prize: Paulette C. Studley ’08, “The Endeavor”
and Chad Eric Taylor ’08, “Babylon Sister”
The Rosamond M. Mancall Prize, established in 1991 by family and friends in memory of Rosamond M. Mancall, IDP ’73, is awarded annually to an outstanding member of the junior class who is an American Studies major.
presented by Louis P. Masur, William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of American Institutions and Values
Kate R. Dworkin ’09
Regina C. Lea ’09
The American Studies Prize, established by the American Studies Program in 2007, is awarded annually to a graduating senior for the best thesis or project that makes an original contribution to interdisciplinary work in American culture.
presented by Louis P. Masur, William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of American Institutions and Values
Ashley E. Bell ’08
James D. Murphy, Jr. ’08
The Ann Petry Book Prize was established by the American Studies Program in 1992 to honor Ann Petry, the outstanding African-American writer and Connecticut resident. It is awarded to the junior or senior who presents the best essay on race in American culture and its intersections with other conditions, especially gender and class. Submissions may not exceed 25 pages.
presented by Louis P. Masur, William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of American Institutions and Values
Victoria K. Salomon ’08
The Elma H. Martin Book Prize was established in 1995 in memory of Elma H. Martin, who with her husband, Harold, the Charles A. Dana College Professor of the Humanities, graced the Trinity community from 1977 to 1984. The Prize is given annually to an undergraduate woman who exemplifies qualities that her friends so admired in Elma Martin: an amiable manner, generosity of spirit, love of reading, involvement in the civic life of her community, and a commitment to the welfare and advancement of women, for whom she was, at Trinity and elsewhere, a model and inspiration.
presented by J. Ronald Spencer ’64, Associate Academic Dean
Gwendolyn M. Hopkins ’08
The Sicherman Prize in Women, Gender, and Sexuality is awarded to a student who has demonstrated intellectual and community leadership in the Women, Gender and Sexuality Program. It was established in 2005 in honor of Professor Barbara Sicherman, whose academic and personal contributions to the field of women’s history at Trinity College and beyond have strengthened diversity and rigorous scholarship, supported junior scholars and students, and helped define women, gender, and sexuality as a field of inquiry.
Not awarded
The D. G. Brinton Thompson Prize in United States History was established by Dr. D. G. Brinton Thompson, Northam Professor Emeritus and a former Chairman of the History Department. It is awarded for the best essay of at least 20 pages in length in the field of United States History submitted by an undergraduate. Senior Seminar essays in United States history are eligible.
presented by Kathleen Kete, Associate Professor of History
James D. Murphy, Jr. ’08
The Ferguson Prizes in History, founded in 1890 by the late Professor Henry Ferguson of the Class of 1868, are awarded for essays of at least 20 pages in length written independently or for courses or seminars. All Trinity undergraduates are eligible to compete for the Ferguson Prizes. All essays must be typewritten. They must be submitted to the Chairman of the Department.
presented by Kathleen Kete, Associate Professor of History
First Prize: Kathryn B. Nolin ’08 and Bethany A. Gostanian ’08
Second Prize: David I. Nestler ’08 and Elizabeth M. Frazier ’08
The George B. Cooper Prize in British History was established by Dr. D. G. Brinton Thompson upon the retirement of Dr. George B. Cooper, Northam Professor Emeritus, to recognize Dr. Cooper’s distinguished career. It is awarded to the senior who has done the best work in British History at Trinity.
presented by Susan D. Pennybacker, Borden W. Painter, Jr. ’58, H’95 Associate Professor of European History
James M. Frawley ’08
Ashesh Prasann ’08
Tyler A. Seeger ’08
The Miles A. Tuttle Prize will be awarded to the member of the Senior Class who writes the best essay of at least 20 pages in length in history on a topic selected by the contestant and approved by the Department of History. Senior Seminar essays are eligible for the Tuttle competition. If in the judgment of the Department no essay meets the standards of excellence, no prize will be awarded.
Not awarded
The Micki and Hy C. Dworin Awards grant two prizes annually to seniors who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in Asian Studies and in East European Studies. Awards are made upon the recommendation of the faculty.
presented by Katherine Lahti, Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Literature Eastern European Studies: Tatyana L. Bulloch ’08 and Nikunj Oli ’08
presented by Rieko Wagoner, Principal Lecturer of Modern Languages and Literature and International Studies
Asian Studies: Matthew R. Smith ’08
The George J. Mead Prize in History is awarded under the terms of a bequest from the late Mr. George J. Mead, Hon. ’37. It is awarded to an outstanding history major in the freshman or sophomore class.
presented by Mimi Mead ’95
Catherine D. McNally ’10
The George J. Mead Prize in Political Science is awarded under the terms of a bequest from the late Mr. George J. Mead, Hon. ’37. It is awarded to the student receiving the highest mark in Political Science 104, Introduction to International Relations.
presented by Mimi Mead ’95
Cristina R. Conti ’11 Andrew D. Grubin ’10
John L. Brennan ’09 Catherine D. McNally ’10