Awards

Departmental awards and prizes are usually decided by April 1. Thus, in the unusual event that the second semester of the thesis year falls in the spring, the student must have finished the thesis and defended it by that date if the thesis is to be a basis for an award.

Distinction in Research and Creative Works

Distinction in Research and Creative Works is a university award for select undergraduates, granted at commencement, which appears on the transcript and diploma. Students must apply within their department or program to be considered for the award and the application must be supported by a letter from a faculty member. For more information, click Guidelines for Distinction in Research Award

The Weber-Durkheim Award for Excellence in Sociology

This award is presented, not necessarily every year, to a senior major in recognition of outstanding work in sociology. The award, along with a cash prize, is presented at a special ceremony connected with the Baccalaureate Celebration on the day before Commencement. Normally, the recipient will have completed an honors thesis in sociology.

List of Previous Award Recipients

The Beth Shapiro Award

Presented at the same time as the Weber-Durkheim Prize, this award goes to a graduating sociology major whose character and personality have made a special impact on the department. It is also accompanied by a cash prize.

List of Previous Award Recipients

The Walter and Helen Hall Prize

This award, often consisting of first, second, and third-place finishers, is normally awarded annually to the best term paper(s) submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for an undergraduate course in sociology. The recipient need not be a sociology major.

List of Previous Award Recipients

Chandler and Ian Davidson Social Justice Fellowship

This fellowship provides support to one sociology major/minor student of $1,500 who wishes to complete an unpaid, full-time internship during the summer at a social justice organization, broadly defined. More information, including how to apply, is found here.

Clara Roberts, '14, is the inaugural recipient of this fellowship and kept a blog about her experiences in the summer of 2013 interning for the League of Women Voters in Washington, DC. Click here to read it: http://lwvintern.tumblr.com/

Chandler and Ian Davidson Scholars Program

Provide research and publication opportunities for our majors who are conducting independent research. Students who are conducting senior honors thesis research are eligible to apply, but students completing other kinds of independent research projects are also welcome to apply. Note that research conducted for faculty, or research for which a faculty member will be a co-author, is not eligible.

More information, including how to apply, is found here.