Held on an evening after classes have ended, Senior Assembly is a traditional ceremony in which the Amherst College faculty honors the graduating students. After a procession, the Provost and Dean of the Faculty opens the ceremony, and the President awards prizes and honorary class memberships. Two students and a faculty member address the graduating class, and the ceremony ends with a recessional.
President Michael A. Elliott presents prizes to graduating seniors and honorary class memberships during this traditional ceremony.
The Addison Brown Scholarship
From a fund established by Addison Brown of the Class of 1852, the scholarship is awarded to that senior who, being already on the scholarship list, has attained the highest standing in the studies of the freshman, sophomore and junior years.
– Michael Liu ’24
The Charles Hamilton Houston Fellowship
Awarded to a graduating senior who best personifies a commitment to realizing their humane ideals, much in the way Charles Houston, Class of 1915, devoted his life to the struggle for equal protection under the law for African Americans in the United States.
– Divided between: Jay Lassiter ’24 and Abadai Zoboi ’24
The Howard Hill Mossman Trophy
Awarded annually to the member of the senior class who has brought, during their four years at Amherst, the greatest honor in athletics to the Alma Mater— the word “honor” to be interpreted as relating both to achievement and to sportsmanship.
– Ada Okorogheye ’24E
The Psi Upsilon Prize
Established by the Gamma Chapter of Psi Upsilon in 1941 on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the founding of the chapter, the prize is awarded to that member of the graduating class who is considered preeminent in scholarship, leadership, athletics and character.
– Divided between: Lauren Eng ’24, Bridget Cassata ’24, and Declan Sung ’24E
The Thomas H. Wyman 1951 Medal
Established in 2003 by his classmates, the medal is awarded to that member of the senior class who best represents the highest standards in scholarship, athletics and/ or extracurricular activities, community service, integrity, character, and humanism.
– Siri Palreddy ’24
The Doshisha American Studies Prize
A gift from Amherst House, Doshisha University, the prize is awarded for the American studies honors thesis judged by the department as most likely to stimulate interest in and understanding of America overseas—with a view toward possible publication in Japan.
– Divided between: Caelen McQuilken ’24E and Mikayah Parsons ’24
The George Rogers Taylor Prize
Awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the department, shows the most promise for creative and scholarly work in American studies.
– Caelen McQuilken ’24E
The Franklin S. Odo Prize
Named in memory of the late Franklin S. Odo, the John Woodruff Simpson Lecturer and former John J. McCloy 1916 Visiting Professor of American Institutions and International Diplomacy in the Department of American Studies, the prize is awarded annually to a senior who has produced an outstanding thesis in the area of Asian/Pacific/American studies.
– Divided between: Rina Li ’24 and Mica Nimkarn ’24
The Donald S. Pitkin Prize
Established in honor of the founder of that department on the occasion of his retirement, the prize is given to that student whose honors thesis best exemplifies the humane values to which Professor Pitkin committed his research and teaching.
– Divided between: Anuoluwapo Daramola ’24 and Rina Li ’24
The Architectural Studies Prize
Awarded to the honors thesis judged best by the program for its qualities of clarity and originality in affirming the interdisciplinary richness of architecture.
– William Ranyard ’24
The Hasse Prize
Established in memory of Adrian H. Hasse ’43, the prize is awarded for the best-submitted work having a human figure as a theme.
– Isaac Streiff ’24
The Anna Baker Heap Prize
Established by Arnold N. Heap of the Class of 1873, the prize is awarded to that senior who submits the best essay in the field of “art.”
– William Ranyard ’24
The Doshisha Asian Studies Prize
From the income of a gift from Amherst House, Doshisha University, the prize is awarded for the best undergraduate honors thesis pertaining to Asia.
– Jeffrey Ma ’24
The Manstein Family Award
Given by Carl ’72, Mark ’74 and Joanne Manstein ’83, the award is presented to the outstanding senior varsity athlete who intends to pursue a career in medicine or a medical field. The prize is awarded by the Department of Physical Education.
– Lauren Eng ’24
The Biochemistry and Biophysics Prize
Awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has prepared the best thesis in the Biochemistry and Biophysics Program.
– Emily Kang ’24
The Oscar E. Schotté Award
Given to that member of the graduating class who, in the opinion of the department, has done the best independent work in biology.
– Zoe Strothkamp ’24
The Edward Jones Prize
Given in honor of the College’s first Black alumnus, the prize is awarded by the Black Studies Department to a graduating senior for the best honors thesis which addresses a present or future issue of concern to Black people in Africa and the Diaspora.
– Divided between: Jay Lassiter ’24 and Ari Dengler ’24
The Howard Waters Doughty Prize
The prize is awarded to that member of the senior class who, in the opinion of the Chemistry Department, has prepared the best honors thesis.
– Divided between: Phoebe Eccles ’24, Frank Peprah ’24, and Kazuki Tayama ’24
The Frank Fowler Dow Prize
Established by Fayette B. Dow in memory of his father, the prize is awarded to a senior who is preparing to enter medical school and whose undergraduate work indicates a career of distinction in medicine.
– Divided between: Daniel Oo ’24 and Sydney Wishner ’24
The Everett H. Pryde Research Award
Presented annually to a senior who has been an outstanding teaching assistant in chemistry and who shows great promise for carrying out research in science or medicine
– Divided between: Phoebe Eccles ’24 and Kazuki Tayama ’24
The White Prize
Established in 1972 by the family of John F. White ’02 and John W. White ’34, the prize is to be used for an undergraduate scholarship in the field of chemistry or for a specific project or projects, including, but not limited to, a summer research fellowship in the Chemistry Department.
– Jon Novak ’24E
The Computer Science Prize
Awarded to a senior who has completed an honors thesis and who, in the opinion of the Department of Computer Science, has achieved the best performance in the study of computer science. The award is based on the thesis and overall achievement in computer science.
– Divided between: Sebastien Brown ’24 and Maryam Abuissa ’24
The Bernstein Prize
Funded by a gift from the Bernstein family in honor of the work their son, Jeffrey ’91, did at Amherst College, is awarded to the senior who has done particularly outstanding honors work in economics.
– Divided between: Harufumi Nakazawa ’24 and Ariana Rodriguez ’24
The James R. Nelson Memorial Award
Presented to that senior who, in the opinion of the Economics Department, has achieved excellence in the study of economics while pursuing a broad liberal education.
– Divided between: Aidan Cook ’24, Gillian Richard ’24, and Lucas Romualdo ’24
The James R. Nelson Prize
Awarded to the senior who, in the opinion of the Economics Department, has written a distinguished honors thesis that applies economic analysis to an important question of public policy.
– Divided between: Carla Mattaliano ’24, Benjamin Nigrovic ’24, and Aryen Shrestha ’24
The Jeanne E. Reinle Prize
Named after Jeanne Reinle, the academic department coordinator of the Economics Department for 30 years, whose inviting and engaging presence welcomed and supported generations of Amherst economics students and faculty. The prize is awarded to the senior who, in the opinion of the department, exemplifies a commitment to building community in the department and a passion for economics.
– Harufumi Nakazawa ’24
The Educational Studies Prize for Leadership
Will go to an Education studies major who has contributed significantly to the program and the education community at Amherst.
– Divided between: Ariana Rodriguez ’24, Francelia Walsh Despeignes ’24, Ashanti Adams ’24, and Arleth Rodrigues Rascon ’24
The Aliki Perroti and Seth Frank ’55 Poetry Prize
Awarded to one or more students who produce works of analysis, criticism, and original academic writing about poets who are graduates of Amherst College or who otherwise have a significant identity and affiliation with the Amherst College community.
– Ava Knapp ’24
The Collin Armstrong Poetry Prize
Established in part by Mrs. Elizabeth H. Armstrong, the prize is awarded to the undergraduate author of the best original poem or group of poems.
– Rachel (Ruiyi) Zhu ’24
The Corbin Prize
Established by the estate of William Lee Corbin of the Class of 1896, is awarded for an outstanding original composition in the form of poetry or an informal essay.
– Jackeline Fernandes ’24
The Elizabeth Bruss Prize
Presented to that senior English major who, in the judgment of the English Department, best represents those qualities of breadth and imagination exemplified by Elizabeth Bruss.
– Jordan Trice ’24
The G. Armour Craig Award for Prose Composition
Awarded to that junior or senior who writes the best autobiographical essay on an experience of intellectual discovery.
– Ava Knapp ’24
The Peter Burnett Howe Prize
For excellence in prose fiction, the prize was established by a gift of Robert B. Howe of the Class of 1930 in memory of his son Peter Burnett Howe of the Class of 1960.
– Divided between: Second Place: Steven Huang ’24; Third Place: Takudzwanashe Mhuru ’24
The Rolfe Humphries Poetry Prize
Presented to that senior who has achieved the greatest sense of poetic form in their undergraduate writing. The award is made on the basis of three submissions to the English Department in the applicant’s senior year and may include writing produced during the undergraduate years.
– Divided between: Rachel (Ruiyi) Zhu ’24 and Jordan Trice ’24
The Ralph Waldo Rice Prize
Established by Mrs. Mary Rice Jenkins in memory of her brother of the Class of 1910, the prize is awarded for the best essay on “The Liberal College and Christian Citizenship” or any subject named by the faculty. The prize this year is awarded for the best portfolio submitted toward senior honors.
– Luke Herzog ’24
The Stephen E. Whicher Prize
Established in memory of Stephen E. Whicher '36 for the best essay by a senior in the interpretation of American literature in the Department of English or American Studies.
Jordan Trice ’24
The Jan E. Dizard Prize in Environmental Studies
Established on the occasion of his retirement, honors Professor Dizard for his role in founding the department and is awarded to one or more members of the graduating class who, in the opinion of the department, exemplify the field of environmental studies in academic work.
– Divided between: Rebecca Cutforth ’24, Selena Hong ’24, and Anna Penner ’24
The Film and Media Studies Award
Awarded to an honors student in the Film and Media Studies Program for an outstanding thesis.
– Divided between: Diego Duckenfield Lopez ’24 and Jihyun Paik ’24
The Frederick King Turgeon Prize in French Literature
Established by former students of Professor Turgeon upon the occasion of his retirement, it is used for the award of a book to the student who has done particularly distinguished work in French during the year.
– Divided between: Sophie Goldsmith ’24 and Carl Soderstrom ’24
The Walter F. Pond Prize
Established in honor of Walter Pond 1907, the prize is awarded to the senior who has submitted the best honors thesis in geology.
– Francisco Reyes ’24
The David F. Quinn Memorial Award
Awarded in memory of David Quinn ’80 to an outstanding senior who, during their undergraduate career, has made a positive contribution to geology at Amherst through character, leadership, enthusiasm and participation in departmental activities.
– Divided between: Claire Jensen ’24 and Fiona Anstey ’24
The Consulate General Prize for Academic Achievement in German Literature
Made available by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Boston, the prize is awarded to that student who, in the judgment of the Department of German, has written the best paper as part of a German course.
– Isaac Bindman ’24
The Consulate General Prize for German Studies
Made available by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Boston, the prize is awarded to that junior or senior who, in the judgment of the Department of German, has made a superior contribution to any aspect of German studies at Amherst College.
– Katherine Holding ’25E
The Hutchins Prize
Established by Waldo Hutchins of the Class of 1842, the prize is awarded to a senior for excellence in Greek.
– Divided between: Thomas Whitley ’24 and Ruiyi "Rachel" Zhu ’24
The Asa J. Davis Prize
Awarded to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the study of the history of Africa and the Black Diaspora and whose work best reflects the comprehensive interest of Asa Davis in historical and cultural contacts between Africa, the Old World and the Americas.
– Divided between: Jay Lassiter ’24, Ari Dengler ’24, and Mikayah Parsons ’24
The Alfred F. Havighurst Prize
Intended for the purchase of books, the prize is awarded to that major in the Department of History who has, in four years at Amherst, best fulfilled the standards of excellence and humane scholarship exemplified by Professor Havighurst during his teaching career at Amherst College.
– Divided between: Jeffrey Ma ’24 and Isaac Bindman ’24
The Smith Prizes
Established as part of the Nihon Ryuugaku Fellowship Fund, it recognizes two high-achieving graduating seniors who have majored in Japanese within the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations.
– Divided between: First Place: Jeffrey Ma ’24; Second Place: David Metacarpa ’24
The Samuel Bowles Prizes
Established by Samuel Bowles King ’02, to stimulate interest in journalism as a career, the prize is awarded to a student who has demonstrated proficiency in journalism.
– Divided between: Liam Archacki ’24 and Logan Maniscalco ’24
The Bertram Prizes
Established by John Bertram of Salem, the two prizes are awarded to students who, together with attaining a high average in the Latin courses of the senior year, present the best essays connected with these courses.
– First and Second Combined: Gigi Golden ’24 and Michael Mitchell ’25E
The Nasser Hussain Prize
Honors the memory of Nasser Hussain, a distinguished scholar and beloved teacher, who taught in law, jurisprudence and social thought from 1996 until his death in 2015. It is given annually to a graduating senior for distinguished achievement in that major.
– Divided between: Jakob Littell ’24 and Maelle Sannon ’24
The Frederick S. Lane ’36 Fellowship for Creative Artists
Awarded to students using historical and rare source materials from Amherst College Archives and Special Collections toward projects in the arts.
– Divided between: Cecelia Amory ’24, Ayomide Eniola ’24, and Aoife McGuire ’24
The Robert H. Breusch Prize in Mathematics
Awarded to the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty in mathematics and statistics, has presented the best honors thesis in mathematics.
– Divided between: Alan Li ’24 and Kathy Xing ’24
The Robert H. Breusch Prize in Statistics
Is awarded to the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty in mathematics and statistics, has presented the best honors thesis in statistics.
– Elizabeth Zhang ’24
The Five College Statistics Prize
Awarded to a student for making an outstanding contribution to statistics and/ or the statistics community in the Five Colleges. Contributions considered include an independent research, thesis or capstone course project; service to statistics on their campus (or across campuses); use of Five College statistics resources; and outstanding coursework and exploration of the statistics curriculum.
– Divided between: Bridget Cassata ’24 and Selena Hong ’24
The Walker Award in Mathematics and Statistics
Awarded to a student who has demonstrated initiative, creativity, perseverance and achievement in mathematics and statistics.
– Divided between: Alan Li ’24, Allison Deegan ’24, Dasha Asienga ’24, David Metacarpa ’24, Kathy Xing ’24, Leandro Arcos Roman ’24, Wenche Tseng ’24, Mahathi Athreya ’24, and Angelica Sang ’24
The Wise Award for Studio Art
Presented annually in the spring to a student in the College for distinction in the completion of an original work or works of art and the purchase thereof. The prize-winning work of art will become the property of the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College.
– Cecelia Amory ’24
The Sylvia and Irving Lerner Piano Prize
Awarded to that student who has demonstrated the greatest skill and musicianship as a pianist.
– Divided between: Cassandra Jin ’24, Mathew Mueller ’24, and Adrian Friedman ’24
The Lincoln Lowell Russell Prize
Established by J.W. Russell Jr. of the Class of 1899 in memory of his son, the prize is awarded to the seniors who have done most to foster the singing spirit at Amherst.
– Divided between: Hannah Gariepy ’24 and Ana Varona Ortiz ’24
The Eric Edward Sundquist Prize
Established in memory of Mr. Sundquist of the Class of 1936, the prize is awarded to that senior who has demonstrated excellence in musical composition and performance.
– Divided between: Shuyao Charlotte Wang ’24 and Andres De La Torre ’24E
The James Olds Memorial Neuroscience Award
Established by the Swerdlow Family Foundation in recognition of the contributions made to the neurosciences by Dr. Olds of the Class of 1947, the award is presented to the student whose research in the neurosciences is judged, by the faculty of the Neuroscience Program, to be of highest quality.
– Divided between: Luis Guzman Clavel ’24 and Annie (Xinlan) Chen ’24
The Gail Kennedy Memorial Prize
Awarded to a senior major in philosophy in recognition of a distinguished honors essay.
– Ethan Samuels ’24E
The William Warren Stifler Prize
Established by Professor Stifler, the prize is awarded to a senior who has majored in physics and for excellence in the advanced courses in physics.
– Divided between: Jeffrey Gerber ’24 and Julia Woodward ’24
The Densmore Berry Collins Prize
Given annually in memory of Mr. Collins, of the Class of 1940, for the best honors thesis in political science.
– Divided between: Benjamin Byman ’24 and Cole Warren ’24
The Robert C. Vogel ’60 Senior Thesis Prize
Awarded every year to the senior who writes the best thesis addressing the politics, economics, history or society of Latin American countries or Latinx communities.
– Ariana Rodriguez ’24
The Haskell R. Coplin Memorial Award
Established in memory of Mr. Coplin, professor of psychology, the award recognizes that member of the graduating class who, in the opinion of the Psychology Department, displays the scholarly and humane qualities that best exemplify Professor Coplin. The prize is to a senior who has shown distinguished work in psychology classes and in an honors thesis and who has contributed to the life of the department.
– Divided between: Justin Ruiz ’24 and Mandi Bailey ’24
The Bancroft Prizes
Established by Frederic Bancroft of the Class of 1882, the prizes are awarded to seniors who produce the best orations. Both composition and delivery are considered.
– Divided between: Spencer Michaels ’24, Dasha Asienga ’24, Luke Herzog ’24, Sabrina Comess ’24, and Aniella Mutoni ’24
The Moseley Prizes
Established by Thomas Moseley of Hyde Park, are awarded to seniors for the best essays on a subject approved by the Department of Religion.
– Divided between: First Place: Christian Pattavina ’24; Second Place: Ankit Sayed ’24 and Manni Spicer Saavedra ’24
The Carol Prize in Russian
Given by David James Carol, Class of 1977, in honor of his parents, Joseph and Roberta Carol, the prize is awarded to the student who has demonstrated the greatest dedication and commitment to Russian.
– Divided between: Oliver Spiva ’24 and Reid Dodson ’24
The Mikhail Schweitzer Memorial Book Award
Established by students, parents and friends in fond memory of Mikhail Schweitzer, survivor of the Soviet Gulag, author and custodian at Amherst College, for the award of books to the student who, in the judgment of the Russian Department, most shares Misha Schweitzer’s love of Russian literature and culture.
– Bebe Leistynan ’23
The Rose Olver Prize
Given each year to a senior who has demonstrated excellence in scholarly or creative work in sexuality, women’s and gender studies.
– Divided between: Karla Munoz ’24, Mica Nimkarn ’24, and Jordan Trice ’24
The Pedro Grases Prizes for Excellence in Spanish
Given by a member of the Class of 1939 to honor a great teacher and cordial scholar, it is awarded each year to that senior who has shown the greatest progress in the ability to read Hispanic literature with insight and to write and speak Spanish with intelligence and humane sensitivity.
– Divided between: Siobhan Angeles ’24 and Conner Glynn ’24
The Raymond Keith Bryant Prize
An annual gift from Robert E. and Ethel M. Bryant in memory of their son of the Class of 1936, the prize is awarded to that student who, in the opinion of the judges, gives the best performance of the year in a Masquers play.
– Yang Sun ’24E