Undergraduate students, and in some cases alumnae, can compete for these prizes by submitting application materials to the department responsible. These are monetary prizes, not scholarships, and amounts vary. Questions concerning prizes should be addressed to the department responsible for the prize.
Prize winners are announced at the Ivy Day Awards Convocation in May.
2011-12 Prizes & Deadlines
American Studies Program
Eleanor Flexner Prize, awarded for the best piece of work by a Smith undergraduate using the Sophia Smith Collection or the Smith College Archives. Students interested should submit papers no later than the final day of classes in the second semester to Jennifer Roberts, American Studies Program office, Wright Hall 224.
Nancy Boyd Gardner Prize, awarded for a single outstanding paper or other project in American Studies by an American Studies major or Smithsonian intern, with priority given to work related to the Smithsonian Internship Program. Students interested should submit work no later than the final day of classes in the second semester to Jennifer Roberts, American Studies Program office, Wright Hall 224.
Department of Anthropology
Samuel Bowles Prize, awarded to a major in the class of 2012 for the most distinguished paper in anthropology. Submissions may be seminar papers, special studies projects or honors theses. Submissions are due by the last day of classes and must be delivered in hard copy to Lea Ahlen, Wright Hall 226. A digital version should also be sent to the chair of the department (djoralem@smith.edu).
Department of Art
Phyllis Williams Lehmann Travel Award, established in 1979 by friends and former students of Professor Lehmann. The prize is awarded to a senior (or seniors) majoring in the history of art, with preference given to students interested in pursuing the study of art history, especially classical art, at the graduate level. Students wishing to apply should submit to Professor Craig Felton, Hillyer Hall, by 4 p.m. on April 6, a transcript and a written proposal describing the travel plans and budget for which the grant is to be used.
Megan Hart Jones Studio Art Prize, established in 1987 by family and friends in memory of Megan Hart Jones ’88. The award is made to an undergraduate for a judged work in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic arts or architecture. Students interested should submit their work to the art department, Hillyer Hall, by 4 p.m. on April 13.
Elizabeth Killian Roberts Prize, established in 1990 by family and friends in memory of Elizabeth Killian Roberts ’45. The award is made to an undergraduate for the best drawing as judged by the art department. Students interested should submit their work to the art department, Hillyer Hall, by 4 p.m. on April 13.
Enid Silver Winslow ’54 Prize in Art History, awarded for the best student paper written in an art history course taught at Smith. Students may submit one clean copy of a paper to the art department office, Hillyer 101. The name of the student should be typed on the cover sheet only. Submissions are due by 4 p.m. on April 30.
Museum of Art
Tryon Prize for Writing
A jury awards prizes for outstanding writing related to, or inspired by art seen at the Smith College Museum of Art. Writing may take any form including a thesis, essay or poetry. Jurors seek insight and scholarship. (Sorry, no electronic submissions.)
Please do not include your name on the title page or header of the document; submit a separate cover sheet with your name, class year, email address, campus address and phone number. If the work was written for a class, include a description of the assignment. Address and mail submission to the Tryon Prize, Smith College Museum of Art or deliver to the Smith College Museum of Art admissions desk. Submissions must be received by 4 pm on Tuesday, May 1.
Tryon Prize for Art (New Media)
A jury awards prizes for video, web-based, audio, interactive media, installation and performance art that is related to, or inspired by any type of art seen at the Smith College Museum of Art. Submissions must include a statement describing the concept and development of the work including how it relates to work seen at the Smith College Museum of Art. If the work was written for a class, include a description of the assignment. Please do not include your name on your statement; submit a separate cover sheet with your name, class year, email address, campus address and phone number. Submit up to 5 images (jpg) of your work on a disk and/or a DVD no longer than 5 minutes total running time. Mark discs with your name, class year, title of work and length. Address and mail submission to the Tryon Prize, Smith College Museum of Art or deliver to the Smith College Museum of Art admissions desk. Submissions must be received by 4 pm on Tuesday, May 1.
Department of Biological Sciences
Amey Randall Brown Prize, established in memory of Amey Randall Brown by Mabel Brown 1887, is awarded for the best paper submitted in any area of the plant sciences. Submissions may be course-related papers, special studies projects or honors theses. Competition is open to any undergraduate who has not previously won the prize. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the last day of classes. Further details may be obtained from Carolyn Wetzel, Department of Biological Sciences, Ford Hall.
Department of Classical Languages and Literatures
John Everett Brady Prize, awarded for excellence in Latin. The award, open to all classes, is made on the basis of an examination in the translation of Latin at sight. The examination is to be held April 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Caverno Room, Neilson Library. Students interested in this prize should see Nancy Shumate, Department of Classical Languages and Literatures.
Alice Hubbard Derby Prize, awarded to a member of the junior or senior class for excellence in the translation of Greek at sight and to a member of the junior or senior class for excellence in the study of Greek literature in the year in which the award is made. The examination is to be held April 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Caverno Room, Neilson Library. Interested students should contact Justina Gregory, Department of Classical Languages and Literatures.
George E. Dimock Memorial Prize, established in memory of Professor George E. Dimock, is awarded for the best essay on a classical subject submitted by a Smith College undergraduate. The deadline for submission is 3 p.m. on April30. Essays should be submitted to Donna Gunn, secretary in the Department of Classical Languages and Literatures, Dewey II. They should include two title pages, one giving the title of the essay and the author’s real name, and the other giving the title and a pseudonym.
Office of the Dean of the College
David Burres Memorial Law Prize, established in 1985 by the widow (Professor Helen Searing), family and friends of Attorney Burres, who in his lifetime encouraged the entry of women into the legal profession. The prize, to be used toward first-year tuition, is awarded to a graduating senior or an alumna who has been accepted to law school (entrance may be deferred; the prize will be held until needed). Preference is given to students aspiring to practice law in the public interest rather than for private gain, in memory of Attorney Burres’s work for the disenfranchised and in the area of civil liberties. Need is a factor, but the prize is not restricted to students on financial aid. Applicants should submit a résumé, a statement of professional intentions, a statement of where they have been accepted for law school and whether they will be receiving financial aid and two letters of reference, one of which must be from a Smith faculty member who has had the applicant in class. Questions about applications should be addressed to sbriggs@smith.edu. All materials must be submitted by 4 p.m. on April 13 to the Office of the Dean of the College, College Hall 203.
Barbara Jordan Award for Study of Law and Public Policy, established in 1989 to encourage African-American women to undertake careers in law and public policy, after the example of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan (1936–1996). Students and alumnae are eligible. The prize funds may be used to help prepare for admission (e.g., for application costs, internships, travel to interviews) or they may be applied toward academic loan-forgiveness. The funds may also be held for later use to help meet the costs of tuition and books. Applicants should submit evidence that they have been accepted into a school of law or a graduate program of public policy, along with a statement of professional intentions that should explain why you are interested in pursuing a career in law or public policy, some of the events in your life that led you to the decision to do so and your career plans. In addition, you should submit a résumé, a description of how the prize funds will be used, and two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a Smith faculty member whose class you took. Questions about applications should be addressed to sbriggs@smith.edu. All materials must be submitted by 4 p.m. on April 13 to the Office of the Dean of the College, College Hall 203.
Ruth Dietrich Tuttle Prize, established in 1985 to encourage further study, travel and/or research in the areas of international relations, race relations or peace studies. The prize is for use at any time through the next academic year. Undergraduate students of any nationality who have done substantial academic work or have had relevant experience in any of these areas are eligible. Questions about applications should be addressed to sbriggs@smith.edu. Applications are available in the Office of the Dean of the College, College Hall 203, or by emailing sbriggs@smith.edu. Complete applications must be submitted to College Hall 203 by 4 p.m. on April 13.
Program in East Asian Studies
The Mary Maples Dunn Prize, named for the president of Smith College (1985–95), is awarded for an essay written within the current or the three preceding semesters in a regular course in the Program in East Asian Studies. Essays originally submitted in seminars, for special studies or as honors theses are not eligible. If an essay was written in response to a specific question or problem posed by an instructor, the stated assignment should be submitted along with the essay.
All essays should indicate for which course and in which semester they were originally written and should be submitted in hard copy to Kathy Gauger, Seelye 210, by April 20, 2012 and clearly identified as submissions for the Dunn Prize competition. A student may submit no more than one essay for the competition per year.
Department of Economics
Samuel Bowles Prize, awarded to majors in the Class of 2012 for the most distinguished paper in economics. Questions should be directed to Charles Staelin. Submissions are due by the last day of classes.
Department of English Language and Literature
Manuscripts for these prizes must be submitted in person to Barbara Kozash in the English department office, Pierce Hall 105, by Monday, April 23. Entries should be signed with an assumed name. Material that has appeared in student publications is eligible for most prizes.
Elizabeth Babcock Poetry Prize, awarded for the best poem by an undergraduate. Competition is not open to those who have already won the prize, nor may the poem have been printed previously.
Ethel Olin Corbin Prize, awarded for the best original poem (preferably blank verse, sonnet or ballad) or informal essay by an undergraduate.
Ruth Forbes Eliot Prize, awarded for the best poem submitted by a first-year or sophomore.
Rosemary Thomas Poetry Prize, awarded for the best poem or group of poems.
Elizabeth Drew Fiction Prize, awarded for the best fiction written by an undergraduate.
Elizabeth Drew Essay Prize, awarded for the best classroom essay on a literary subject submitted by an undergraduate to a class taught by a member of the English department.
Elizabeth Drew Memorial Prizes, awarded for (a) the best honors thesis in English, and (b) the best essay on a literary subject submitted by a first-year
Eleanor Cederstrom Prize, awarded for the best poem by an undergraduate, written in a traditional verse form.
Helen Kate Furness Prize, awarded for the best essay on a Shakespearean theme prepared in courses or seminars. Honors theses are not eligible.
James T. and Ellen M. Hatfield Memorial Prize, awarded to a senior majoring in English for the best short story.
Mrs. Montagu Prize, awarded for the best essay on a literary subject concerning women.
Gertrude Posner Spencer Prize, awarded for excellence in writing fiction and non-fiction prose.
Anne Bradstreet Prize from the Academy of American Poets awarded for the best poem or group of poems by an undergraduate.
Emogene Mahoney Memorial Prize, awarded for (a) the best essay on a literary subject written by a first-year student and (b) the best honors thesis.
Norma M. Leas Memorial Prize, awarded to a graduating English major for excellence in written English.
Department of French Studies
Voltaire Prize, awarded to a first-year student or a sophomore at Smith College for an essay or other project in French that shows originality and engagement with her subject. Applicants should contact the director of honors and prizes in the Department of French Studies for further information on how to submit their work. Submissions for prizes must be presented in person to Jennifer Blackburn in the French Studies office, Wright 102, no later than the last day of the spring semester examination period. Entries submitted should be the version of the work bearing the professor's comments and final grade, unless the paper has not yet been returned to the student. Submissions will be judged anonymously.
Césaire Prize, awarded for excellence in an essay or other project in French by a junior or a senior on campus. Applicants should contact the director of honors and prizes in the Department of French Studies for further information on how to submit their work. Submissions for prizes must be presented in person to Jennifer Blackburn in the French Studies office, Wright 102, no later than the last day of the spring semester examination period. Entries submitted should be the version of the work bearing the professor's comments and final grade, unless the paper has not yet been returned to the student. Submissions will be judged anonymously.
Department of History
Thomas Corwin Mendenhall Prize, awarded for an essay written within the current or the three preceding semesters in a regular history course. Essays originally submitted in seminars, for special studies or as honors theses are not eligible. If an essay was written in response to a specific question or problem posed by an instructor, the stated assignment should be submitted along with the essay. All essays should indicate for which course and in which semester they were originally written and should be submitted to Lyn Minnich in the history department office, Wright Hall 227, by Friday, April 20, clearly identified as submissions for the Mendenhall Prize competition. A student may submit no more than one essay for the competition.
Department of Italian
Michele Cantarella Memorial “Dante Prize,” established in 1988 by family, colleagues, friends and former students, this prize is awarded to a Smith College senior for the best essay on any aspect of The Divine Comedy. Entries must be submitted by Friday, May 11 at 3 p.m., to Mary O’Brien, foreign languages office, Hatfield Hall.
The Anacleta C. Vezzetti Prize awarded to a senior for the best piece of writing in Italian on any aspect of the culture of Italy. Entries must be submitted by Friday, May 11, at 3 p.m., to Mary O’Brien, foreign languages office, Hatfield Hall.
Landscape Studies
The Susan Komroff Cohen ’62 and Paula Deitz ’59 Prize in Landscape Studies for excellence in a thesis, paper or project that examines the science, design or culture of the built environment. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible and need not be Landscape Studies minors. Interested students should submit the version of the project or paper that includes the instructor’s comments and grade. Submissions are due in the Landscape Studies Office, Wright Hall, by the last day of classes.
Department of Music
Sarah H. Hamilton Memorial Prize, awarded for an essay on music. The essay may be a paper previously submitted for a course assignment and should be between 2,000 and 4,000 words. Any undergraduate may submit an essay to the secretary of the music department, Sage Hall 101, by May 7at 4 p.m. It must be signed with a fictitious name and accompanied by an envelope containing the real name of the competitor.
Settie Lehman Fatman Prizes, awarded to students enrolled in intermediate and advanced music composition courses, one for a composition in extended form, the other for a composition in a small form. Compositions should be submitted to the secretary of the music department, Sage Hall 101, by May 7 at 4 p.m.
Carillon Composition Prize, established in memory of Dorothea Carlile ’22, offers two prizes annually, one for the best original composition for carillon and one for the best transcription for carillon. The competition is open to all students. Entries must be submitted by the last day of classes to the secretary of the music department, Sage Hall 101.
Department of Religion
Students are invited to submit substantial and innovative papers for consideration for religion department prizes. Students should submit their typewritten paper under an assumed name. A sealed envelope with the assumed name on the front of the envelope and the applicant’s real name in the envelope should accompany the essay. Essays must be submitted to the secretary of the religion department, Dewey Hall II, by noon. on Thursday, May 3. The department will determine which prize category a given paper fits should it be deemed prize-worthy.
Henry Lewis Foote Memorial Prize, awarded for the best essay on a subject in the field of biblical studies suggested by a course in the religion department and written by an undergraduate candidate for the Smith College degree.
James Gardner Buttrick Prize, awarded for the best essay on a subject in the field of studies in religion suggested by a course in that department and written by an undergraduate student for the Smith College degree.
Jochanan H.A. Wijnhoven Prize, awarded for the best essay on a subject in the area of Jewish religious thought written for a course in the religion department or the Program in Jewish Studies by a Smith College undergraduate.
Department of Sociology
Samuel Bowles Prize, awarded to majors graduating in 2012 for the most distinguished paper in sociology. Questions should be directed to Leslie King. Submissions are due by the last day of classes to Jennifer Roberts, Wright Hall 224.
Arthur Shattuck Parsons Memorial Prize, awarded for the outstanding paper in sociological theory or its application. Questions should be directed to Leslie King. Submissions are due by the last day of classes to Jennifer Roberts, Wright Hall 224.
Program for the Study of Women and Gender
Jeanne McFarland Prize and Valeria Dean Burgess Stevens Prize, awarded by the Program for the Study of Women and Gender and the Project on Women and Social Change for excellent work in the study of women and gender. Submissions are due no later than noon on Wednesday, May 2. Please see complete guidelines for submission on the Program for the Study of Women and Gender Web site: www.smith.edu/swg/prize.html.
