Fall Honors Day Awards 2021 program

Some of the awards presented, according to their wording, are designated for sophomores or juniors but may be given to juniors or seniors, respectively. These are awards based on work completed through the end of the previous academic year.

View event details

Baum Mathematical Prize

Contributed by Dr. Charles Baum, Class of 1874, this prize is given to the student showing the greatest proficiency in mathematics through his or her sophomore year.

Akiko Kobayashi Bowers Japanese Language Award

This award is presented to the student with the highest level of proficiency in the Japanese Language through the 202 level as determined by grades and overall language proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Anna Marie Budde Award

Established by Anna Marie Budde, instructor and assistant professor of voice from 1953 to 1972, this award is given to the outstanding sophomore voice student.

Oscar W. Carlson Memorial Award

An award, contributed by the family of Oscar W. Carlson, Class of 1921, is given to a student who demonstrates excellent academic achievement through his or her junior year in three or more courses in the Department of Religious Studies, including two courses above the 100-level.

Miguel de Cervantes Award in Spanish

This award is presented to a junior Spanish major or minor for academic excellence in Spanish and outstanding involvement in Hispanic activities.

Chinese Language Award

This award is presented to the student with the highest level of proficiency in the Chinese language through the 202 level as determined by grades and overall language proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Delta Phi Alpha Prize

A book on German culture is awarded to an outstanding student junior and senior for the year in the German Department.

Anthony Di Palma Memorial Award

Under the auspices of the family of Anthony di Palma, Class of 1956, a book is presented to the junior having the highest grades in History.

Malcolm R. Dougherty Mathematical Award

The Columbian Cutlery Company in Reading, Pennsylvania, in memory of Malcolm R. Dougherty, Class of 1942, awards this prize to the student who had the highest average in mathematics during his or her first year of college.

Samuel Garver Latin Prize

Contributed by the Rev. Austin S. Garver, in memory of his father, this prize is awarded to the student who has made the greatest progress in Latin during the first year of college.

David H. Greenlaw Memorial Prize

Contributed by Mr. & Mrs. Ralph W. Greenlaw in memory of their son, David H. Greenlaw, Class of 1966, this prize is awarded to the student who has offered exceptional contributions to the College’s theatre program.

Edwin T. Greninger Award in History

Established by Edwin T. Greninger ’41, to be awarded on the basis of the quality of a student’s paper written for any of the courses in the Department of History.

Harry C. And Catherine Noffsinger Hartzell Award

Contributed by James Hamilton Hartzell, Class of 1924, in memory of his parents, this award is given to the outstanding junior in the Department of Anthropology and to the outstanding junior in the Department of Sociology.

Samuel Garver Greek Prize

Created by the Rev. Austin S. Garver (1869) in memory of his father, to be awarded to the student who has made the greatest progress in Greek during the first year of college

James Boyd Hartzell Memorial Award

An award, contributed by James Hamilton Hartzell, Class of 1924, and his wife, Lucretia Irvine Boyd Hartzell, is presented to a junior majoring in Economics and to a junior majoring in Management for outstanding scholarship and promise in these fields.

  • Economics
  • Management

James Hamilton & Lucretia Irvine Boyd Hartzell Award

Established by James Hamilton Hartzell, Class of 1924, and his wife, this prize is awarded to a sophomore for outstanding scholarship and promise in the field of History.

Hassler Latin Prize

Established by Charles W. Hassler, this award is presented to the best Latin student in the junior class.

John A. Hauser Meritorious Prize in Business

Given by the family of John A. Hauser, this recognition goes to an outstanding Management major who has achieved excellence in both academic studies and campus leadership while demonstrating good character and concern for high moral standards. 

Grace C. Kenney Award

Contributed by Grace C. Kenney, an educator for 39 years at Gettysburg College, this award is given to a junior or senior selected by the staff of the Health Sciences Department. Preference is given to a student who has participated in studies in Health Sciences and has demonstrated the highest academic accomplishments and leadership skills.

Dr. George R. Miller & Dr. Richard T. Mara First Year Student Prize in Physics

Contributed by alumni and friends of the College in memory of George R. Miller, Class of 1919, and Richard T. Mara, Class of 1946, this prize is awarded to a sophomore for outstanding performance in physics as a first-year student.

Toni Morrison-Wole Soyinka Africana Studies Essay Award

This award is presented to the student writing the best essay in Africana Studies.

Muhlenberg First Year Student Prize

Given by Dr. Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Class of 1836, this prize is awarded to the student taking Greek or Latin who attains the highest general quality point average as a first-year student.

J. Rogers Musselman Award

An award, established by Peter R. Musselman in memory of his father, is presented to a student majoring in mathematics who is proficient in the study of mathematics during his or her third year of enrollment.

Dr. John W. Ostrom Composition Awards

Established by Dr. John W. Ostrom, Class of 1926, this recognition is awarded to the student who demonstrates the greatest overall improvement in first-year writing and to the student who demonstrates consistent excellence in English 201.

Dr. John W. Ostrom English Award

Established by Dr. John W. Ostrom, this recognition is awarded to the student who has written the best expository essay for an upper level English course.

Psi Chi Junior Award

This award is given to a Psychology major who has displayed outstanding potential and initiative throughout his or her junior year.

Major General James Milnor Roberts Distinguished ROTC Award

In memory of Major General James Milnor Roberts, who served as Chief of the Army Reserves from 1971-1975, Executive Director of the Reserve Officers Association, and Chairman of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Society, this award honors an outstanding ROTC student at Gettysburg College who possesses the qualities demonstrated by Major General Roberts, including academic excellence, dedicated leadership, and personal integrity.

Martha Ellen Sachs Prize

An award, established by John E. Haas in memory of his aunt, who was a lecturer at the College, is presented to a student exhibiting excellence in English composition, with consideration given to improvement made during the year.

Tarek A. Tannous Memorial Award

Established by Jana W. Jackle, Class of 1997, in memory of Tarek A. Tannous, a member of the Class of 1996, this award is presented to a student whose insight into global issues, interest in human nature, or passion for philosophical discourse is an inspiration to others.

Samuel P. Weaver Prizes

Established by Samuel P. Weaver, Class of 1904, prizes are awarded to the two students writing the best essays on an assigned topic in the field of constitutional law and government.

Earl E. Ziegler Junior Mathematics Award

Contributed by Phi Delta Theta Alumni, this award is given in honor of Earl E. Ziegler, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Gettysburg College from 1935-1968, to the mathematics major who has the highest average in mathematics through the junior year.

G. Ronald Couchman Endowed Diversity Award

An award, established by G. Ronald Couchman, Class of 1963, who served as Registrar of the College from 1967 to 2007 is presented to three students whose actions best celebrate diversity at the College and the integration of that diversity within the campus community. Students will have demonstrated their support of diversity through their character, leadership, volunteerism, and participation in student activities.

Margaret E. Fisher Memorial Award

This prize, contributed by Dr. Nelson F. Fisher, Class of 1918, in memory of his mother, is awarded to a male student who excels in one or more varsity sports and who achieves the highest academic average among winners of varsity letters.

Gettysburg College Award in Athletics

An award is given by the President of the College to a female student who excels in one or more varsity sports and who achieves the highest academic average among winners of varsity letters.

John Alfred Hamme Awards

Two awards, established by John Alfred Hamme, Class of 1918, are given to the two juniors who have demonstrated in the highest degree the qualities of loyalty, kindness, courtesy, true democracy, and leadership.

Dr. Carl Arnold Hanson, President Emeritus, Leadership Award

 Contributed by his wife, Anne Keet Hanson, friends and alumni, in honor of Dr. Carl Arnold Hanson, President of Gettysburg College from 1961 -1977, this award is given to a student who has achieved at least a 3.0 average in his/her major through the middle of his/her junior year and who has demonstrated significant leadership abilities in one or more areas of college life.

Mildred H. Hartzell Prize

Established by Mildred H. Hartzell, Class of 1926, this prize is awarded to a student who shows high quality in more than scholarship with preference being given to a member of Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity, or other such organizations as may reflect similar quality and ideals.

Rev. George N. Lauffer (1899) & M. Naomi Lauffer (1898) Award

The award is given each year to a junior who has maintained high scholarship and evidences outstanding ability and character.

J. Andrew Marsh Memorial Awards

These awards are presented to the sophomore and junior students of Gettysburg College who best exemplify the “whole person” concept through positive attitude, exceptional spirit, high standards, and notable achievement, both curricular and extracurricular.

William F. Muhlenberg Award

This award is presented to a junior on the basis of character, scholarship, and proficiency in campus activities.

Keith Pappas Memorial Award

A certificate is given as a memorial to Keith Pappas, Class of 1974, who made an extraordinary contribution to the life of this College and its people. This award is given to a student, chosen by representatives from the organizations of which Keith Pappas was a member, who most significantly affects the College Community by participation in its functions and whose contributions give form to what is called Gettysburg College.

Captain Michael D. Scotton Award

Established by David and Sally Scotton, parents of Michael D. Scotton, Class of 1982, this award recognizes a junior who demonstrates a high degree of extracurricular activity and diligence in his or her academic work. The recipient is selected in consultation with the Head Coaches of Women's and Men's Cross Country, Women's and Men's Track, and the Athletic Director.

Senior Scholarship Prize

Established by the Class of 1996 and Mr. Robert Stockberger, Class of 1933, this award is presented annually to two juniors advancing to their senior year who best exemplify Gettysburg College through academics and service to the campus community. (The students are given the award during the fall of their senior year.) In addition, the Senior Scholarship Prize fund shall be augmented with future senior class gifts.

Student Life Committee Award

A certificate is awarded to a student in recognition of the quiet influence he or she has exerted for the improvement of the campus community.

Dean Frank B. Williams Memorial Prize

An award, established by Suzanne H. Williams, Class of 1962, in honor of her husband, Frank B. Williams, who was Dean of Students at Gettysburg College from 1965 to 1992 is presented to a junior or senior who exhibits exceptional leadership in student affairs, strength of character, integrity, and compassion to other students and who has made positive contributions to the College community and to the Gettysburg community.

Silent Leader Award

Given in memory of Emily Silverstein ’11, a passionate member of the campus community and a fervent advocate for peace, the silent Leader Award is presented annually to a student who demonstrates exceptional and sustained dedication to enacting change through service.