Recognition of Academic Excellence
Every year at the Graduation and the Convocation ceremonies, academic excellence is recognized by the presentation of a variety of awards to the best and most talented students.
University
- Freshmen Awards
- Awarded to the students, cadet and civilian, whose academic averages were highest for the freshmen year.
- Sophomore Awards
- Awarded to the students, cadet and civilian, whose academic averages were highest for the sophomore year.
- Distinguished Norwich Scholars
- Offered to graduating seniors in each of the university’s undergraduate schools, this award is a full tuition scholarship to any of the university’s graduate student programs.
- Merit Scholarship
- Offered to graduating seniors in each of the university’s undergraduate schools, this award is a $7,500 scholarship to any of the university’s graduate student programs.
- Dean McIntire Cup
- Awarded at Convocation to the company of the Corps of Cadets whose freshmen platoon has attained the highest quality point average for the previous semester.
- White Cup
- Originally given by the late Dr. Eugene L.White ’14; continued by his son, the late William W.White ’47. Awarded at Convocation to the company of the Corps of Cadets whose upper-class students have earned the highest quality point average for the previous semester.
Architecture & Art
- Rising Second Year Award
- A monetary award given by American Institute of Architects of Vermont (AIA VT), this honor recognizes the design promise of a first year architecture student of the prior academic year.
- American Institute of Architects of Vermont (AIA VT) Design Award
- This prestigious honor and monetary award is bestowed upon one of the graduating Master of Architecture students after a selection committee from AIA VT performs a thorough review of the entire class’ work. The selected thesis project is judged to be the best with regard to its design, comprehension and the beauty of its representation.
- American Institute of Architects Vermont Scholarships
- These are two monetary awards given by the Vermont Chapter AIA. One is given to a rising second year and the second to a rising third year student. The awards recognize design ability, academic achievement, community engagement and professional promise as demonstrated during the prior academic year.
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) Henry Adams Medal and Certificate
- Each year the AIA awards an engraved medal to the top-ranking graduating student in each architecture program accredited by the National Council of Architectural Accrediting Board. A certificate of merit is also awarded to the second-ranking graduating student. The award is given for “general excellence in architecture throughout the four-year course to graduating students of architecture schools recognized by the Institute.”
- Alpha Rho Chi Medal
- The Alpha Rho Chi Medal is awarded annually to a graduating senior at each NAAB accredited school of architecture, and schools where Alpha Rho Chi chapters exist, and is judged by the faculty of that school of architecture as best exemplifying these qualities.
Business & Management
- The Professor Frank Vanecek - Visiting Committee Award
- This award is given annually to a senior in the School of Business and Management for excellence in academic achievement, high personal integrity and outstanding service to the university and community.
Engineering
- Student Engineer of the Year Award
- Awarded to the outstanding engineer of the senior class based on academic performance, contribution to student activities and professional potential as an Engineer.
- Walter D. Emerson Award
- Awarded to the senior in engineering who has shown the greatest interest and demonstrated the greatest effort toward professionalism in engineering.
- Norwich Engineers’ Society Clinton A. Renfrew Award
- To the outstanding junior in the School of Engineering who has exhibited the greatest potential for success. Although scholarship is the primary requisite, the ability to work well with fellow students and contribute to the overall atmosphere of learning in class and out is essential.
- Norwich Engineers’ Society Peter E. Kyle Award
- To the outstanding sophomore in the School of Engineering who has exhibited the greatest potential for success. Although scholarship is the primary requisite, the ability to work well with fellow students and contribute to the overall atmosphere of learning both in class and out is essential.
- Norwich Engineers’ Society Freshman Award
- To the freshman in the School of Engineering who exhibits the greatest academic potential.
- Michael C. Murphy Scholarship
- Given in memory of Michael C. Murphy, Professor of Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, this scholarship is awarded to an engineering student who has demonstrated a high degree of academic professionalism and diligence and shows potential to excel in the application of computer technology in the practice of engineering.
- Departmental Engineering Awards
- Awarded to the senior in construction engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering who has shown the greatest interest and demonstrated the maximum effort to acquire the proper engineering training in their discipline, particularly in developing the creative ability so essential to the future of engineering.
- Professor Frederick Asher Spencer Award
- Awarded to the senior electrical engineering student who has shown the greatest interest and demonstrated the maximum effort to acquire the proper engineering training in their discipline, particularly in developing the creative ability so essential to the future of engineering.
- Alexander W. Luce Award
- Awarded to the senior in mechanical engineering who has shown the greatest interest and has demonstrated the maximum effort to acquire the proper mechanical engineering training, particularly in the field of developing the creative ability so essential to the future of engineering.
- John F. Grosch Geotechnical Engineering Award
- In memory of John F. Grosch, PE, a geotechnical engineer, vice-president of Woodward-Clyde Consultants and gentleman who was the unheralded mentor of many young geotechnical engineers, the award is presented to the civil engineering student who has shown a passion for geotechnical engineering in their course work and will follow that passion as a career.
- Society of Military Engineers Scholarship (NY Post)
- Awarded to a senior in engineering on the basis of scholarship, need and participation in the Corps of Cadets.
- Tau Beta Pi Award
- The senior engineering student who is the best example of the Tau Beta Pi ideals of “distinguished scholarship and exemplary character.”
- Tau Beta Pi, Vermont Chapter Scholarship
- Awarded to a junior and senior member of Tau Beta Pi who have demonstrated commitment to the organization, school and community through active participation in service projects.
- Departmental Design Awards
- Awarded to senior students in both electrical engineering and civil engineering who exhibit creativity and the ability to apply classroom theory to a capstone design project and, in doing so, demonstrate the greatest potential in engineering design.
- Glenn Harvey Design Award
- Awarded to the senior student in mechanical engineering who exhibits both creativity and the ability to apply classroom theory to a capstone design project and, in doing so, demonstrates the greatest potential engineering design.
- Water Environment Federation
- Awarded to a senior based on grades earned and interest demonstrated in sanitary engineering.
- Ernest N. Harmon Award
- Established by the Consolidated Constructors, Inc., in honor of Pres. Ernest N. Harmon, Major General USA (Ret.), 19th president of Norwich University from 1950 to 1965. The award is made to the senior engineer who has demonstrated the most outstanding promise of success in an engineering career, considering both academic performance, professional and extracurricular activities.
Humanities
- Partridge and Hart Awards (English)
- At its pre-commencement celebration, the Department of English recognizes superior scholarship with the Partridge and Hart Awards. The Partridge is the top honor given to a graduating English major and is based solely on the recipient attaining the highest grade point average in the discipline. In contrast, recipients of the Hart Award are chosen by faculty and the selection is based not only on grade point average, but also on the greatest amount of service to the department by an English major.
- Cowdrey Awards for Creative and Expository Writing (English)
- For over 25 years, Cowdrey Awards for creative and expository writing have been given to Norwich students. The awards are announced at the start of the fall semester. Although judged by English faculty, writing by any Norwich student, regardless of major, is eligible.
- George Turner Prize (English)
- Awarded annually to a cast or crew member of the university’s 88-year-old dramatic troupe, Pegasus Players, the George Turner Prize is named after English Professor Emeritus George Turner who, in kind, is a staunch supporter of the dramatic arts on campus. Although Pegasus Players is a satellite of the Department of English, its members come from all undergraduate disciplines and any are eligible for Turner Prize consideration.
- Arthur Wallace Peach Prize (English)
- Named for the founder of the Norwich English major, former director of the Vermont State Historical Society, and central to the state’s literary and environmental heritage, the Arthur Wallace Peach Prize recognizes exceptional scholarship by an English major completed in any of the four surveys of British and American Literature.
- Minors Prize (English)
- The Department of English benefits from the significant contributions by the many English minors. A number of students, whose majors range from criminal justice to math, minor in English and are eligible to be awarded the department’s Minor’s Prize.
- Modern Language Awards
Math & Sciences
- American Chemical Society Polyed Division Organic Chemistry Award
- The American Chemical Society Polyed division is awarded to a student in chemistry or closely related discipline for an outstanding performance in a full year of organic chemistry courses.
- Demovic Family Scholarship for Mathematics
- Awarded each year to the senior mathematics major with the highest cumulative grade point average.
- Demovic Family Scholarship for Nursing
- Awarded each year to the senior nursing major with the highest cumulative grade point average following his/her junior year.
- Demovic Family Scholarship for Science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology, Biochemistry)
- Awarded each year to the senior science major with the highest cumulative grade point average following his/her junior year.
- Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award
- To an outstanding freshman chemistry student.
- Professor Edwin “Ted” Marsden Freshman Mathematics Prize
- The Freshman Mathematics Award is awarded to the freshman mathematics major with the most outstanding performance in mathematics courses and mathematical activities at Norwich, based on the recommendation of faculty in the Mathematics Department.
- James J. Burke R. Memorial Award
- A cash prize awarded to the senior biology major with the highest academic average in major courses.
Social Sciences
- American History Award
- Awarded by the faculty in the Department of History to the senior who has demonstrated excellence in the study of American history.
- William D. Hassett Prize in Political Science
- Initiated in honor of Dr. Hassett, eminent Northfield resident, former Norwich Trustee, and Secretary to Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, by an endowment gift made by Dr. Edward Suverkrop ’43. This cash prize is awarded to the senior who has the highest distinction in not fewer than 18 semester hours in political science.
- David L. Anderson Prize in Criminal Justice
- Awarded to criminal justice majors who have demonstrated excellence in their major field of study, possess outstanding qualities of character, and have participated actively in service to the University community. Cadet Anderson ’84, a member of the Norwich University Fire Brigade, was killed while in the performance of duty. This prize was initiated by an endowment gift provided by his classmates.
- Dennis L. Klinge Memorial Award
- Given annually for excellence and high scholarly potential in history or military studies.
