Awards, Honors & Fellowships

• The Beethoven Prize is awarded to a fourth-year student for the best historical or analytical essay on music or an original composition.
• The Rev. William F. Hartigan Medal is awarded for the best essay on a subject in Religion.
• The George Bernard Shaw Award is given for the best essay in dramatic literature or film.
• The Edward F. Wall, Jr., Prize is awarded annually to a fourth-year student whose research essay in any field of history is judged by the Department of History to be exemplary. The prize is in memory of Edward F. Wall, Jr., a former Chair of the Department and Class Dean, who was a member of the faculty for 34 years.
• The Washington Semester Research Prize is given for the best research project in the Washington Semester Program.
• The Markham Memorial Scholarship Award is given to a third-year student majoring in philosophy who demonstrates the highest aptitude for philosophical inquiry and whose commitment to his or her studies best exemplifies the belief that "critical examination of fundamental religious and philosophical questions is integral to a liberal arts education.
• The Academy of American Poets Prize is given for the best poem or group of poems submitted to the English Department.
• The Bourgeois French Prize is awarded for the best essay on a subject relating to the culture of the French and their descendants in the United States. Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
• The Crompton Gold Medal is awarded for the best scientific essay or research paper submitted during the school year.
• The John J. Crowley Memorial Prize is awarded for the best essay on a religious, literary, historical, economic or scientific subject.
• The John J. Cummings, Jr./Bai Award is for the best essay or research paper submitted during the academic year on a subject relating to financial institutions.
• The Monsignor Kavanagh Medal & Award are given for the best original essay on some phase of Christian art or archeology.
• The Leonard J. McCarthy, S.J. Memorial Prize is awarded for the best essay in the criticism of English or American Literature.
• The Jairam Miguel Rodrigues Rao Prize is awarded for the best paper, project, or presentation that addresses environmental racism and justice written by a student, as an individual or in collaboration with others, at the College.
• The James H. Reilly Memorial Purse is given to the student who has contributed the best poem or short story to The Purple.
• The Freeman M. Saltus Prize is awarded by the Department of Economics and Accounting for excellence in writing essays on labor or economics. To be eligible for the prize, an essay must be submitted via email to econacctawards@holycross.edu. The subject line should be "Saltus Prize submission." To preserve anonymity, the paper must be submitted as an attached file with a title only – do not include the name of the author on the paper itself. In the body of your email, please state the title of your paper and your full name. Submissions that do not follow these instructions will not be considered. Deadline for submissions is April 2, 2025.
• The Strain Gold Medal is given for the best essay submitted during the academic year on a subject taken from the field of philosophy. 

• The George J. Allen, Ph.D., '65 Psychology Award is given to a fourth-year psychology major who best exemplifies the integration of empirical scientific research and community service.
• The American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award goes to an outstanding fourth-year chemistry major for a demonstrated record of ability, leadership, and professional promise.
• The Pedro Arrupe Medal for Outstanding Service is awarded to a graduating student whose faith in the gospel is made visible through their work for justice, both at Holy Cross and beyond.
• The Karen Gottschang Turner Asian Studies Award is presented to a fourth-year Asian Studies major or concentrator who has submitted the most outstanding piece of scholarly or artistic work as judged by a committee of Asian Studies faculty.
• The Elias Atamian Family Book Award is given to a student who has excelled in Middle Eastern Studies.
• The Nellie M. Bransfield Award is given to a fourth-year outstanding actor/actress.
• The Joseph C. Cahill Prize is awarded to a graduating chemistry major for excellence in chemistry.
• The Claudia N. Ross Chinese Studies Award is to recognize a graduating Chinese major who has demonstrated excellence and commitment in the study of Chinese language, literature and culture. Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Culture.
• The Teresa A. Churilla Second-Year Book Award in Biology is given in memory of Teresa A. Churilla, a Biology major, to a second-year student of biology who best exemplifies the ideals of intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and scientific promise that characterized Teresa.
• The Frank D. Comerford Award is given to a fourth-year student for superior ability in public speaking.
• The Philip A. Conniff, S.J., Prize in Latin is awarded by the Classics Department to a fourth-year Classics major for excellence in the study of the Latin language.
• The Patrick F. Crowley Memorial Award is given for proficiency in oratory and debating.
• The Caren G. Dubnoff Political Science Award is given to a fourth-year Political Science major for outstanding academic achievement in Political Science.
• The Economics & Accounting Achievement Award honors the student who has contributed most significantly in scholarship, enthusiasm and/or service to the Economics and Accounting Department.
• The James Fallon Debating Purse was founded in 1901 by the Rev. John J. Fallon, of the class of 1880, for year-long excellence in debating skills.
• The Father Flatley Medal is awarded to a fourth-year student who displays the greatest degree of talent for (and love of) Philosophy.
• The Rev. John W. Flavin, S.J., Award in Biology is given to a fourth-year biology major who has shown excellence in scientific achievement, humanitarian service, or contribution to the vitality of the Biology Department and the College.
• The Vin Forde Memorial Award awarded annually by the faculty of the Department of Religious Studies to the graduating senior who, in our judgment, best exemplifies the values of Vin Forde: dedication to the academic study of religion alongside a manifest commitment to both the Catholic and civic communities, represented in the individual's service to the College, Church, and broader community.
• The Thomas A. Fulham Environmental Studies Prize is given to a third or fourth-year student in recognition of his or her work in safeguarding our physical environment.
• The Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Award "First established in 1993 in recognition of academic excellence in Women's Studies, the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Award today honors a student who has achieved excellence in academic work from the perspective of critical feminist and/or gender theory and who has demonstrated engagement with issues of pressing concern to women and LGBTQIA+ persons."
• The Dr. Marianthi Georgoudi Memorial Award is given to the outstanding graduating Psychology major as judged by the faculty of the Psychology Department. This award is in memory of Dr. Georgoudi who had been a member of the Holy Cross Psychology Department.
• The Ernest A. Golia '34, M.D., Book Award is given to a first-year student who is a non-Classics major for excellence in any course offered by the Department.
• The Edna Dwyer Grzebien Prize is awarded for excellence and commitment in the study of world languages.
• The George H. Hampsch Award is for outstanding contribution to the Cause of Peace. This award is in memory of Dr. Hampsch, who had been a member of the Philosophy Department.
• The Rev. Robert F. Healey, S.J., Greek Prize is awarded by the Classics Department to a fourth-year Classics major who has attained a high degree of proficiency in the study of Ancient Greek.
• The Walter Gordon Howe Award is for excellence in percussion performance.
• The Thomas P. Imse Alpha Kappa Award is given to a fourth-year sociology major who is a member of Alpha Kappa Delta. This award is in recognition of scholarly excellence and demonstrated commitment to learning for the service of humankind.
• The Robert Edmond Jones Award is awarded by the Theatre Department for achievement in the areas of Design and Technical Theatre.
• The Edward V. Killeen, Jr., Prize is awarded for general excellence in chemistry throughout the Premedical course.
• The Óscar Romero Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean Studies Award is presented to a fourth-year Latin American and Latino Studies Concentrator who has demonstrated academic excellence in the program through the quality and diversity of their coursework at Holy Cross and abroad. The award also recognizes outstanding participation in cultural and other promotional programs on and off campus and significant engagement in service to the Latino community.
• The John C. Lawlor Medal is awarded to the outstanding student and athlete throughout the college course.
• The William E. Leahy Award is given in memory of William E. Leahy, of the class of 1907, for leadership as a debater.
• The Leonard Award is given for proficiency in oratory, debating or like competition. This award is given to the Valedictorian of the graduating class.
• The Heather C. Lochmuller '98 Award was established in 1999 in memory of Heather. It is awarded to a fourth-year chemistry major for outstanding service to the Chemistry Department.
• The Rev. John J. MacDonnell, S.J., Computer Science Award is awarded for excellence in and engagement with computer science.
• The Gertrude McBrien Mathematics Prize is awarded for dedication to and excellence in Mathematics.
• The Angelo Menegatto Prize in Italian Studies is awarded for the best essay on a theme of Italian literature or culture.
• The Montserrat Writing Prize is awarded to three first year students for papers written in their Montserrat seminars during the academic year.
• The Nugent Gold Medal is awarded for general excellence in Physics.
• The John D. O'Connell Prize for Accounting Excellence was established in '94 to honor the distinguished services of the College's senior accounting professor. Given to a third-year accounting major for academic achievement, service and leadership. The awardee, selected by the accounting faculty, is honored for continuing the traditions associated with Professor O'Connell — pursuit of academic excellence, demonstrated leadership in service to the community and demonstrated interest in and commitment to the profession of public accounting. Students wishing to be considered for the prize must submit (1) a resume and (2) an unofficial transcript from STAR. Applicants should combine their resume and unofficial transcript into a single PDF document and submit to the following email address: econacctawards@holycross.edu. The deadline for submissions is March 14, 2025. Questions about the award should be directed to Professor Allison Richardson (arichard@holycross.edu).
• The Joseph J. O'Connor Purse is for excellent debating by a first-year or second-year student through-out the debating season.
• The John L. Philip Memorial American Sign Language Award is given to a graduating student who has demonstrated an interest in, and motivation to learn, American Sign Language (ASL) and to bring that learning to life. This student has integrated his/her classroom knowledge of ASL and Deaf culture with respect for, and interaction with, members of the Deaf Community.
• The Mrs. Kate C. Power Award is given to the highest-ranking student in the second-year class.
• The John Paul Reardon Medal and Award was established in 1985 by John Paul Reardon, a former faculty member, in memory of the late Rev. J. Gerard Mears, S.J. The medal and award are given annually to a graduating student for excellence in studio art.
• The Rev. John F. Redican Medal is given for general excellence to a third-year student who has made a unique contribution to the College's intellectual life.
• The Susan Rodgers Anthropology Award honors the one anthropology student who has demonstrated superior achievement in the discipline while an undergraduate at Holy Cross.
• The Study Abroad Independent Project Prize is given for initiative, seriousness of purpose, and excellence in a Study Abroad Independent Project.
• The Undergraduate Award for Achievement in Analytical Chemistry is for excellence in analytic chemistry.
• The Undergraduate Award for Achievement in Organic Chemistry is for excellence in organic chemistry.
• The Varsity Club Norton Prize is given to an outstanding student-athlete.
• The Shirley Verrett French Prize in Memory of the Rev. Lionel P. Honoré, S. J. is awarded to the top French major in the graduating class as determined by the French faculty.
• The George Vidulich-Andrew Vanhook Award is given to a fourth-year student for an excellent research thesis and presentation.
• The Carter G. Woodson Prize is given to a fourth-year student for outstanding scholarly or artistic achievement in African American Studies.

The selection of award recipients follows one of two processes

1. Essay/Writing Competitions - students submit written work for consideration
2. Departmental - winners are chosen based on current academic records or overall performance in a discipline

Procedures for Entering the Writing Competitions

1. All essays are to be typed, using double space.
2. Normally, all essays are to be at least 3000 words in length.
3. Assumed names are to be used. Essays are to be submitted electronically.
4. No single essay can be used for more than one Award.
5. Consult with Departments for Essay/Writing Competition deadlines. Departments need to submit the names of the competition winners to Lynn Levesque, llevesqu@holycross.edu, on or before April 11, 2025.
6. Procedures for contributions to The Purple are determined by the editorial staff of The Purple. 

International

• Fulbright Scholarship: About 1,400 scholars selected for 1 year of teaching or research in more than 140 countries. Requirements: American citizen, very strong academic achievement, proficiency in the language of the host country.

United Kingdom

• Rhodes Scholarship: 32 scholars selected regionally for 2 or 3 years of graduate study in any field at Oxford University. Requirements: (American citizen or national from select countries), very strong academic achievements, leadership, some involvement in sports (but not necessarily intercollegiate participation)
• Marshall Scholarship: 40 scholars selected for 2 or 3 years for graduate study in any field at any university in the United Kingdom. Requirements: American citizen, very strong academic achievement.
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship: 100 scholars selected for 1 to 3 years for many subjects available at Cambridge University for diverse programs, including research leading to Ph.D., courses leading to Masters degree, including M.B.A., or a second bachelors degree. Scholarship favors students planning to improve the lives of people around the world.  Requirements: Very strong academic achievement, college degree completed or anticipated by award's beginning, independent acceptance to Cambridge University (must apply separately for admission)
• George J. Mitchell Scholarship: 12 scholars selected for 1 year of post-graduate study in any field at colleges and universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland for the purpose of furthering ties between the U.S., Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Requirements: American citizen, very strong academic achievement, leadership and public service.
• Schwarzman Scholars: One-year master's program in Public Policy, Economics and Business, or International Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing.  All classes will be in English, and students live and study together at Schwarzman College.  Dubbed "the Chinese Rhodes Scholarship", the award emphasizes that the success of today's leaders depends upon "an understanding of China's role in global trends."

France

• American Assistants in France Program: 1,500 teaching assistantships in French Primary and Secondary Schools. Requirements: American citizen, min. 20 years old, proficiency in French.

Germany

• DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service): Offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities in Germany, including language immersion courses and science and engineering research internships. German proficiency NOT required for some programs.

Spain

• Grants Program for North American Teaching Assistants in Spain: The Spanish Embassy Office of Education and Science awards more than 1,000 grants for juniors, seniors, or recent graduates to teach English in Spain. Requirements: American or Canadian citizen, intermediate Spanish or better.

United States

• National Science Foundation: 1,100 scholars selected for up to 3 years of study towards an M.S. or any of the natural or social sciences at any university. Requirements: American citizen or permanent resident, research-oriented work experience.
• Knight-Hennessy Scholars: 100 students selected for three years of fully-funded graduate education in any discipline at Stanford University for the purpose of creating a multidisciplinary community of scholar-leaders “dedicated to finding creative solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.” Departments continue funding individual scholars past three years.

• Beinecke Scholarship: 22 scholars selected for two years of graduate study in the arts, humanities, and social science at any university. Requirements: Strong academic achievement, financial need.
• Truman Scholarship: Around 75 scholars selected for merit-based awards to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or more broadly in public service. Requirements: American citizen, or national commitment to public service, leadership, top quarter of his or her class.

• Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship: Junior and sophomores majoring in math and science and interested in pursuing math/science careers selected for undergraduate financial assistance. Requirements: Strong academic achievement, American citizen, national or permanent resident.
• Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholarships: Juniors and sophomores studying the environment and related fields selected for undergraduate financial assistance. Requirements: American citizen, national or permanent resident.

• Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): NSF-funded summer programs that allow students to conduct science and social research at other colleges and universities.
• Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund: Need-based undergraduate tuition assistance for students who work for social change.

NSEP/Boren

• Boren Scholarships (undergraduate): Provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduates "to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests but underrepresented in study abroad." Programs include full-year, one-semester, and summer-immersion. Requirements: American citizen.
• Boren Fellowships (graduate): Provides support for graduate students who want to include an international component to their master's or doctoral programs. "Boren Fellowships provide support for overseas study, domestic study, or a combination of both." Awards range from one semester to two years, including special opportunities for Asian studies. Requirements: American citizen, enrolled in or applying for graduate student at U.S. universities.
• Gilman: Provides aid for financially needy students to pursue study abroad in non-traditional areas. Note that emphasis is placed on the development of "critical need" languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, Turkic, Persian, Indic, Korea, and Russian. Attributes: U.S. citizen; demonstrable financial need.
• Gilman International Scholarship Program - provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Deadline: early March.
• U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes: Opportunities for undergraduates and graduating seniors to develop languages critical to develop U.S. interests: Arabic, Bangla/Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu, Chinese, Persian, Russian, and Azerbaijani. Attributes: U.S. citizen, varying prerequisites.
• Princeton: Awards in each region provide 'immersive work experiences" by connecting "service-minded graduates and partner organization."
  • Princeton in Africa (PIAf): about 50/year
  • Princeton in Asia (PIA): about 150/year
  • Princeton in Latin America (PiLA): about 50/year
• Kathryn Davis Fellows for Peace at Middlebury College: Kathryn Davis Fellows for Peace scholarships for summer language study at Middlebury College: Mandarin, French, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Italian and Korean.

• AmeriCorps VISTA: National service opportunity to fight poverty in the United States.
• Boston Teacher Residency (BTR): "Master's program in education that recruits talented, committed individuals of all ages and gives them the tools they need to make an immediate impact in the classrooms of the Boston Public Schools (BPS)."  Includes tuition remission at UMass Boston, living stipend, and Massachusetts Initial Teacher Licensure.
• California Capital Fellows Programs:  "Fellowship opportunities allowing college graduates to contribute to the implementation of public policy in California. For eleven months, fellows work as full-time members of a legislative, executive, or judicial office, and also enroll as graduate students at California State University.  Fellowships include:  Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, Executive Fellowship Program, Senate Associates Program, and the Federal-State Relations Fellowship. Additionally, Fellows receive health benefits and a monthly stipend."
• City Year: Assisting at-risk youth through education and after-school programming in 25 U.S. locations and 2 international sites (1 year).
• Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship - ½-year with urban and rural community-based organizations; ½- year with national organizations in Washington D.C.
• Mickey Leland International Congressional Hunger Fellowship - 1 year in Asia, Africa, or Latin America; 1 year policy center (usually for organization with which student did 1 year of field work).
• Coro Fellows Program: "The Fellows Program in Public Affairs is a nine-month, full-time, post-graduate experiential leadership training program which introduces diverse, intelligent and driven young public servants to all aspects of the public affairs arena. Field assignments, site visits, interviews and special individual and group projects and consultancies prepare Coro Fellows to translate their ideals into action for improving their own communities."
• Federal Agency Programs: Search directly for programs in your area of interest by utilizing the "A-Z  Index of Government Departments and Agencies."
• Herbert Scoville, Jr. Peace Fellowship:  Full-time junior staff member of applicant-selected organization.
• Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC)/Jesuit Volunteer International (JVI): Jesuit sponsored volunteer opportunities working in schools and with non-profit organizations who serve "the poor and marginalized" both in the United States and throughout the world (2 years).
• Math for America: Teaching math in public schools in Berkeley, Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, Dan Diego, Utah, and Washington, D.C. (5 years).
• Nativity Preparatory School of New Bedford, MA: Middle school founded on the model of the Jesuit Nativity schools.
• New York City Internships:  Various internships working for the government of New York City.  This list includes the NYC Service Fellowship, Public Service Corps, and the highly prestigious NYC Urban Fellows Program.
• Peace Corps: Serving the United States government "in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries."  Assignments vary greatly, and Peace Corps volunteers have served in 139 different countries (2 years).
• Teach for America:  Teaching in "low-income communities" throughout the United States (2 years).

• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship (CHCI) – one-time scholarships for undergraduate and graduate Latino students who have demonstrated a commitment to public service and wish to continue with their civic engagement in the future. All students; deadline: early April.
• Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program - 2 branches – grad school and summer program.
• Graduate Fellowship Program - The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service in which they can help formulate, represent and implement U.S. foreign policy. Deadline: Early January.
• Summer Enrichment Program - A six-week summer program designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue a career.  Freshman, sophomores, and juniors; deadline: early February.
• PPIA – Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute - an intensive seven-week summer program that focuses on preparing students for graduate programs in public and international affairs and careers as policy professionals, public administrators and other leadership roles in public service. Juniors.

• Amgen Scholars - Summer science and biotechnology research experiences at select prestigious universities. Rising juniors and seniors; deadline: early February.
• Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship - graduate school stipend, renewable for up to 4 years for students pursuing Ph.D.'s where high-performance computing is used to solve science and engineering problems. Seniors applying to graduate school; deadline: early January.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings - scholarship designed to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities. Undergraduates; deadline: early January.
• Pasteur Institute Summer Internship - provides U.S. undergraduates with the opportunity to conduct summer research at the Institut Pasteur. The foundation's goal is to encourage students in the pursuit of a scientific career and to expose them to an international laboratory experience. Deadline: mid-December.

• Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program - social justice program that trains, inspires, and sustains leaders. The program supports a diversity of local and national approaches to eliminate hunger, poverty and oppression and nurture an innovative national network of creative and inspiring change agents. Graduating seniors and alums; deadline: early January.
• Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellowship - a unique two-year international fellowship. During the first year, Fellows work in developing countries to address hunger and poverty-related issues including agriculture, food security, health and nutrition, and private sector development. Their work in the field may involve researching, implementing, and/or evaluating development programs and initiatives. They spend the second year in a policy environment, usually at the headquarters of the organization they served in the field year. Graduating seniors and alums; deadline: early January.

• Gilder Lehrman History Summer Scholarship - a five-week intensive history research program in New York. The session combines historical research, seminars with eminent historians and behind-the-scenes tours of historical archives. Meet and study in small seminars. All undergraduates; deadline: early March.
• Hertog Summer Fellowships - offers several highly competitive and selective educational programs for outstanding individuals who seek to influence the intellectual, civic, and political life of the United States. Programs are offered in three main areas: Political Thought & Philosophy; War & Foreign Affairs and Economics & Domestic Policy.  Short-term seminars in New York City and Washington, DC as well as summer fellowships for college undergraduates and recent graduates are also offered.
• Lilly Graduate Fellowship - supports qualified students during their graduate education who are interested in becoming teacher-scholars at church-related colleges and universities in the United States.

• P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship - provides scholarships for women from other countries for graduate study in the United States and Canada. Deadline: early February.