Pomona College offers a number of awards and prizes to its students. These are given on the basis of academic excellence and, unlike some scholarships listed in the Financial Resources section, are awarded without reference to financial need.
Academic Distinctions
Pomona College Scholars
Each semester, the distinction of Pomona College Scholar is awarded to the top quarter of students in each class as determined by semester grade point average, who in the past semester 1) completed at least three graded courses, and 2) did not receive any incomplete (I) or "no credit" (NC) grades in any course that is normally included in grade point average calculation.
Phi Beta Kappa
The Pomona College Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, established in 1914, is the Gamma of California. Seniors and juniors "who are of good moral character, and who are distinguished for breadth of culture and excellence of scholarship" may be elected to membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Sigma Xi
The Claremont Colleges Chapter of Sigma Xi elects juniors and seniors to associate membership on the basis of outstanding aptitude in science as demonstrated by participation in research.
Graduation Honors
The honors cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude are awarded on the basis of the overall grade point average of the student's work. The faculty has limited graduation honors to the top quarter of the graduating class.
Awards and Prizes
The following prizes and awards are given for general accomplishments and for proficiency in specific areas.
The Rena Gurley Archibald High Scholarship Prize. Awarded to the member of the graduating class who ranks highest in scholarship, this prize was established through a bequest from Andrew W. Archibald, D.D.
The Mary Ford Bacon Memorial Prizes. Three prizes for the best essays or monographs relating to the Constitution of the United States are awarded annually by the Economics, History, and Politics departments. The Mary Ford Bacon Memorial Fund also provides a sum of money for the purchase of books and other materials on the Constitution recommended by the faculty in Economics, History, and Politics.
The Bernard Charnwut Chan Award. Three awards are given annually—one to a underrepresented student who has demonstrated strong academic performance and extracurricular activity that has contributed to the College community, and another to a senior minority student, following strong academic performance and extracurricular involvement, when entering graduate school. The awards were established by Bernard Chan '88 with support from his family and friends.
The Ada May Fitts Prize. A prize endowed by Charles T. Fitts, Professor of Education and Registrar from 1919 to 1948, in memory of his wife, Ada May Fitts. Awarded annually to a woman member of the graduating class for outstanding intellectual leadership and influence on other students at the College.
The Ted Gleason Award. An award established by the family of Edward Rowse Gleason '70 is given annually to a man or woman student who has made a warm-hearted contribution to the community life of the College through such traits as sympathy, friendliness, good cheer, generosity, and, particularly, perseverance and courage.
The Kappa Delta Award. An annual award, established in 1926 by alumni members of Kappa Delta Fraternity and administered by a special committee, is given at the beginning of their senior year to an outstanding all-around student who shows qualities of character, intellect, leadership, proficiency, and demonstrating oneself to be a “good sport" in athletic pursuits. The recipient must have been in residence during all three lower years and must rank in the upper half of all the students in the class.
The Blair Nixon Memorial Award. From a fund established in memory of Blair Nixon '33 by his parents and friends, an annual award is made to a senior student who exemplifies the high ideals of the College in scholarship, sportsmanship, and organized athletic pursuits.
The Phi Beta Kappa Award. An award endowed by the Pomona Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa is awarded to a senior who has been in residence for three years and who is selected for high quality of scholarship and promise of future distinction.
The John Stauffer Scholarship for Academic Merit. From a fund endowed by the John Stauffer Charitable Trust, an award is made to a senior student majoring in Physics, Chemistry, or a related science, who exhibits the highest academic promise.
The Mark Syverson Memorial Book Prize. Endowed by the Syverson family and friends, this prize honors the memory of Mark Syverson, long-time Office of Admissions staff member who died in 1998. The recipient of this prize is an incoming first-year student selected by the Admissions staff.
The Arvid Pierre Zetterberg, Jr. Award. From a fund endowed by Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Zetterberg in memory of their son, Lt. Arvid Pierre Zetterberg '44, an annual award is made to the sophomore who, during the freshman year, exemplifies the highest qualities of character, scholarship, and interest in vigorous sports.
American Studies
The American Studies Prize. Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in American Studies.
Anthropology
The Anthropology Prize. Awarded annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in the Anthropology major, including the senior thesis.
Art and Art History
The Corinne Gilbert Beaver Art Prize. One or more prizes awarded annually to promising first-, second-, or third-year students in the field of art.
The Drew Art Prize Fund. A fund established by Miss Mary Drew awards prizes to beginning art students for progress in creative graphic expression.
The Matthew Klopfleisch Prize in Art. Endowed by Stephanie '62 and Randall Klopfleisch in memory of their son Matthew Klopfleisch '99 who died in 1997, this prize is awarded annually to a student chosen by the Art Department faculty for excellence in art.
The Louisa Moseley Fine Arts Prizes. Two prizes are awarded annually, one for an outstanding senior project in studio art and one for an outstanding senior thesis in art history.
The Rembrandt Club Junior Art Prize. Awarded by the Rembrandt Club, a community group dedicated to the fine arts, this prize is awarded to a junior art student for travel to art collections or sites of special significance for a junior art project, or for research during the summer after the junior year. Grants are also possible for purchase of materials or research resources related to development as a major.
Asian Languages and Literatures
The Asian Languages and Literatures Prize in Chinese. Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in Asian Languages and Literatures in Chinese.
The Asian Languages and Literatures Prize in Japanese. Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in Asian Languages and Literatures in Japanese.
Asian Studies
The Asian Studies Prize. This prize is awarded to the graduating senior with the most outstanding thesis.
Astronomy
The Frank Parkhurst Brackett, Jr., and Davida Wark Brackett Prize. Awarded to an individual student as an incentive to excellence in advancing the study of astronomy, including astrophysics. This prize was endowed by Frank P. Brackett '28 in memory of his wife, Davida Wark Brackett '28.
The Moncrieff Astronomy Prizes. These prizes are given to students in the first-year course in astronomy, whose interest in the subject and proficiency in observatory work are indicated by the best notebooks kept in accordance with the teacher's suggestions. The prizes were endowed by Miss Flossie C. Moncrieff '11.
Biology
The Walter Bertsch Prize in Molecular Biology. Established in memory of Walter
Bertsch '56, Professor of Biology from 1977 to 1984, for an outstanding student in
molecular biology.
The Vaile Prizes. Endowed by Charles S. Vaile, these prizes are awarded to outstanding students in biology.
Black Studies
The Black Studies Prize. Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in Black Studies.
Chemistry
The Frank Parkhurst Brackett, Jr., and Davida Wark Brackett Prize. Awarded to a student as an incentive to excellence in advancing the study of chemistry.
The Robert Rowan III (‘68) Memorial Award in Chemistry. An award is given to the junior or senior student who, in the judgment of the Chemistry Department, shows the greatest promise of making significant contributions to the field of chemistry.
The Stanley D. Wilson Prize. A prize endowed by Dr. Stanley D. Wilson is awarded annually to the student whose independent study and research show the greatest promise for creative work.
Classics
The Harry J. Carroll Memorial Prize in Greek. Established in memory of Harry J.
Carroll, Professor of Classics from 1948 to 1983, this prize is awarded for excellence in Classical Greek.
The Mudge Latin Prize. This prize for excellence in Latin is endowed by friends of
the College.
Computer Science
The Paul B. Yale Computer Science Prize. A prize in memory of Paul B. Yale, Professor of Mathematics from 1961 to 1997, is awarded annually to an outstanding senior majoring in Computer Science.
Debate
The Stella M. King Prizes. One or more prizes are awarded to outstanding Pomona students to defray the costs of their participation in intercollegiate competitions.
Economics
The Leland M. Backstrand Memorial Awards in Economics. From a fund established in memory of Leland M. Backstrand '23 by his family and friends, awards are given annually to two senior students and one junior student in Economics.
The Lorne D. Cook Memorial Awards. One or more prizes in the form of important books in economics are awarded annually to seniors who have contributed significantly to the understanding of economics among fellow students.
The Morris B. Pendleton Prizes. One or more prizes, made possible by the Morris B. Pendleton Fund, are awarded annually to seniors who have distinguished themselves by their work in economics.
Education
The Virginia Clauser Prize. A prize endowed by Marilyn McGowan '66 and Milton Clauser in memory of their mother, Virginia Clauser '31. Awarded annually to a member of the graduating class who plans to pursue a credential in elementary and/or secondary education.
English
The Dole Prizes. Two prizes for excellence in creative writing were established by John H. Dole in memory of his brother, William B. Dole, and endowed by Arthur M. Dole '96, a trustee from 1908 to 1955.
The John Dye Award. From a fund established by Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Dye in memory of their son, John Thomas Dye III '43, a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, an annual award is offered for the best piece of original writing to appear in a student publication.
The F.S. Jennings Memorial Prizes. Prizes are awarded each year for excellence in English. In awarding these prizes, special consideration is given to freshman students who make persistent and successful efforts to improve the quality of their written English and to majors in English literature whose critical writing is adjudged to be distinguished. Unusually fine performance in writing may be awarded wherever it is found.
The Kinney Prizes. Two prizes are given for excellence in creative writing. The prizes were endowed by Mrs. H.N. Kinney.
The Matthew Klopfleisch Prize in English or Media Studies. Endowed by Stephanie '62 and Randall Klopfleisch in memory of their son Matthew Klopfleisch '99 who died in 1997, this prize is awarded annually to an outstanding senior student chosen in English or Media Studies.
The Frederick L. Mulhauser Memorial Award. A prize in memory of Frederick L. Mulhauser, Professor of English from 1941 to 1974, is given to one or more students studying in England under the guidance of the Pomona English faculty, on the basis of interest and excellence in the study of English literature.
Environmental Analysis
The Toni Clark Thesis Award in Environmental Analysis. Professor Toni Clark, who taught in the English Department at Pomona from 1983 to 2007, was a key figure in the creation of the EA Program. She developed and advised the race, class and gender course plan in the major; taught a coveted class in nature writing and literature and advised many senior theses. This prize, established in loving memory of her many contributions to the program, will be awarded to the student whose senior thesis best exemplifies Professor Clark’s keen insights into the complexities of environmental (in)justice.
The Gene Fowler Thesis Award in Environmental Analysis. Professor Gene Fowler, who taught in the Biology Department and helped to found the EA Program, offered the first iteration of what is now EA 30 and upper division classes in conservation biology and toxicology while advising students in the EA-Biology course plan. This prize, established in loving memory of his many contributions to the program, will be awarded to the student whose senior thesis reflects Professor Fowler’s dedicated commitment to the environmental sciences.
The Jane Jacobs Thesis Award in Environmental Analysis. This award recognizes an outstanding senior thesis that is focused on sustainability and the built environment and that might address such questions of architecture and the human landscape, climate change, transportation, toxics and waste, urban planning and design, among others.
Gender and Women’s Studies
THE TONI CLARK PRIZE IN GENDER AND WOMEN'S STUDIES
This prize was established in 1974 and initially named The Commission on the Education of Women President’s Prize in Gender and Women’s Studies to encourage original scholarly and creative work by students on the topic of women in all fields of the curriculum. To commemorate Professor Emeritus of English, Associate Dean of Students, and Dean of Women Toni Clark’s contributions to Gender and Women’s Studies, then-President David Oxtoby renamed the prize in her honor after she passed away in 2016. One or two awards will be made to the best entry(ies) on a thesis relating to gender and women’s studies.
Geology
The Mason L. Hill Memorial Award in Geology. Friends and colleagues of Mason L. Hill '26 have established an award to be given annually to a deserving Geology student selected by the Geology Department.
The D.B. McIntyre-H. Stanton Hill Award. Established by H. Stanton Hill '33 and his wife, Mary C. Hill, to honor the contributions of Donald B. McIntyre, Professor of Geology from 1954 to 1989, to the Pomona College Geology Department. The award is given to an outstanding student in any field of the geological sciences, at the discretion of the department faculty.
The Richard E. Strehle Memorial Award. A prize established in memory of Richard E. Strehle '41, who was killed in action in World War II, is awarded annually to a junior or senior with the physical, mental, and moral qualities desirable in a field geologist.
History
The John Hayes Beaver History Prize. One or more prizes are awarded annually to first-, second-, or third-year students who have demonstrated integrity in their actions and perseverance in their work.
The Ada F. Hartog Memorial Prize in History. A fund established by John A. Hartog '74 in honor of his mother provides an award each year to a graduating senior in the Department of History who has shown outstanding intellectual achievement in the field of European history.
The John H. Kemble Senior Thesis Award in History. A prize in honor of John H. Kemble, Professor of History from 1936 to 1977, is given for the best senior thesis, judged on research and presentation. It is awarded only in those years when there are at least three deserving entries in the competition.
The Vincent Learnihan Western Civilization Prize. Established by former students of Vincent Learnihan, Professor of History from 1949 to 1982, this prize is awarded to a first-year student chosen by History instructors.
International Relations
The Cordell Hull Prize. May be awarded in any year to a student with a distinguished record in the study of international relations.
The John A. Vieg Prize in International Relations. Awarded to students in international relations for scholastic excellence and to assist outstanding graduates in their future pursuits.
Languages and Literatures
The Hans-Dieter Brueckner Memorial Summer Grant. Established by Mark Wyland '68 in memory of Hans-Dieter Brueckner, Professor of German Language and Literature from 1962 to 1990, this award is given annually to an outstanding student of German for pursuing summer study in Germany.
The Languages and Literatures Prize in German. Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in Languages and Literatures in German.
The Languages and Literatures Prize in Russian. Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in Languages and Literatures in Russian.
The Ulitin Travel Grant. Professor Emeritus of Russian, Vladimir Ulitin, and his wife, Sophia Ulitin, established this annual travel grant to support academic summer travel to Russia.
Latin American Studies
The Latin American Studies Prize. Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in Latin American Studies.
Library
The Eda May Haskell Library Prize. Awarded for the best library submitted by a senior student, not necessarily for the largest or most expensive collection but for the most intelligently selected books in one or more fields of the student's interest. Endowed by John H. Kemble, Professor of History from 1936 to 1977.
Linguistics
The Glass Linguistics Prize. A prize for an outstanding student in Linguistics has been endowed by Stephen L. Glass '57, Sandra A. Glass '57, and their son, Michael S. Glass '79.
Mathematics
The Llewellyn Bixby Mathematics Prize. A prize established in memory of Llewellyn Bixby '01 is awarded annually to a sophomore for excellence in the second year of mathematics.
The Hugh J. Hamilton Prize. A prize in memory of Hugh J. Hamilton, Professor of Mathematics from 1936 to 1975, is awarded annually to the outstanding senior majoring in Mathematics.
The Jaeger Mathematics Prize. Awarded annually to a first-year student for excellence in the first year of mathematics, this prize was endowed by Chester G. Jaeger, Professor of Mathematics from 1931 to 1961, and Mrs. Jaeger.
The Bruce Jay Levy Prize in Mathematics. This prize is awarded annually to a student chosen by the Mathematics Department faculty for excellence in the field of mathematics.
Media Studies
The Scott Winslow Award in Media Studies. An award endowed in 1996 by Anne Shaw Price '44 and Nicholas Winslow '64, both members of the Pomona College Board of Trustees, in memory of Benjamin Scott Winslow (1972-1989). Awarded annually to a Media Studies major whose senior thesis or senior project is deemed the most outstanding of that year by the program faculty.
The Matthew Klopfleisch Prize in English or Media Studies. Endowed by Stephanie '62 and Randall Klopfleisch in memory of their son Matthew Klopfleisch '99 who died in 1997, this prize is awarded annually to an outstanding senior student chosen in English or Media Studies.
Medical Sciences
The Michael H. Rosen Memorial Premedical Award. Established by family and friends in memory of Michael H. Rosen, M.D. '63, this award is given annually to the outstanding premedical student of the year.
The Dwight L. Ryerson Premedical Award. Established by family and friends in memory of Dwight L. Ryerson, Professor of Zoology from 1946 to 1972, this award is made to the senior premedical student who best exemplifies the humanitarian and compassionate qualities of the dedicated physician.
Music
The Barbara Sanford Allen Prize. Awarded annually to a student above first-year rank in the Department of Music, this award was established by the husband and parents of Barbara Sanford Allen '15.
The William G. Blanchard Memorial Prize. An annual prize is awarded to an outstanding student musician, preferably in organ, orchestration, or composition. Established in memory of William G. Blanchard, Professor of Music from 1936 to 1971, by his family and many friends.
The Philip Goldberg Memorial Prize. Awarded annually to a Pomona student, preferably a senior string player, for outstanding instrumental performance, in memory of the dedicated violist and teacher whose service on the faculty was cut short by untimely death.
The Gordon A. Hogan Memorial Prize. An annual prize is awarded to an organ student, preferably a senior, or to a student in guitar, voice, or composition. Established through the efforts of William G. Blanchard, Professor of Music and College Organist from 1936 to 1971, in memory of Gordon A. Hogan '49.
The Bertha Clendenen McCord Memorial Prize. An annual prize is awarded in memory of the pianist and critic to one or more especially promising student musicians, preferably Music Majors, to provide added enrichment by helping support their participation in summer music programs before graduation.
The Rudolph Polk Memorial Award. Established in 1957 by friends and colleagues of Rudolph Polk, this award is given to a student in instrumental music (violin, viola, cello, or piano) on the basis of technical competence, musicianship, and general musical background. Students of any of The Claremont Colleges are eligible. The program is administered by Scripps College through an intercollegiate faculty committee.
The William F. Russell Prize. An annual prize awarded to one or more prospective Music majors who by the end of their sophomore year show substantial accomplishment and significant promise in their study of music. Established in 1992 by Susan Blaustein Berlow in honor of Karl Kohn.
The Cecil H. Short Memorial Prizes. Established in memory of the piano technician who maintained the Pomona College pianos for 50 years, this fund enables the Department of Music to award a fine book or score to one or more graduating seniors who have been outstanding in service and performance.
Neuroscience
The Senior Prize in Neuroscience. This prize is awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in neuroscience.
Philosophy
The Morton O. Beckner Prize. This prize recognizes a graduating senior who exhibits special talent in the pursuit of philosophy.
Physics
The Richard P. Edmunds Physics Prize. Awarded to the upper-division student nominated by the Department of Physics as the outstanding Physics student of the year, this prize was endowed by the fifth president of Pomona College, Charles K. Edmunds, and Mrs. Edmunds in memory of their son, Richard Edmunds '35.
The Tileston Physics Prizes. Prizes established in memory of Roland R. Tileston, Professor of Physics from 1925 to 1946, by former students and by members of his family are given annually to outstanding first-year or sophomore students in the introductory courses and to the junior student in Physics whose record in the department is judged most promising.
Politics
Fred Krinsky Prize in Comparative Politics– this cash prize, endowed in honor of Fred Krinsky, who taught in the Government Department from 1972-1992, is awarded to a graduating senior Politics major who has done outstanding work in the field of Comparative or International politics.
Edward M. Sait Prize in Politics – this book prize, named after professor of Political Science Edward McChensney Sait, who taught at Pomona from 1928-1943, is awarded to a graduating senior in Politics who has done outstanding work in the field of American Politics.
Lee McDonald Prize in Political Theory – this cash prize, named in honor of a Lee Cameron McDonald, who taught in the Government Department at Pomona from 1952-1990, is awarded to a graduating senior Politics major who has done outstanding work in the field of Political Theory.
George S. Burgess Prize in Constitutional Law – this book prize, endowed in honor of Professor of Political Economy George Samuel Burgess, who taught at Pomona from 1923-1942, is awarded to a graduating senior Politics major who has done outstanding work in the field of Constitutional Law.
John A. Vieg Prize – this cash prize, named after professor of Government John Albert Vieg, who taught at Pomona from 1945-1970, is awarded to the top, or the most overall outstanding, senior Politics major.
Psychology
The Psychology Prize. This prize is awarded to the outstanding graduating senior on the basis of the senior thesis.
Religious Studies
The Hager Prize. Open to all students, a prize for the best essay on the role of Christianity in cross-cultural encounters. Endowed by Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Hager.
Romance Languages and Literatures
The Iberian Grant. A prize established by Jeronimo Arango, Jr., is awarded annually to one or two students for summer research in Spain on some aspect of Spanish history, economics, politics, or international relations.
The Phyllis Johnson Memorial Prize. A fund established in 1986 by friends and colleagues to honor Phyllis Johnson '59, Professor of French from 1964 to 1985, provides an award each year to an outstanding senior in the study of French.
The Romance Languages and Literatures Prize in Spanish. Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in Romance Languages and Literatures in Spanish.
Science, Technology and Society
The Science, Technology and Society Prize. Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in the STS major.
Sociology
The Robert D. Herman Prize in Sociology. Awarded annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in the Sociology major, including the senior thesis.
Theatre and Dance
The Virginia Princehouse Allen Prizes in Drama. Established in honor of Virginia Princehouse Allen '26, director of the theatre at Pomona College from 1930 to 1962, these prizes are awarded annually to recognize outstanding acting performances and other contributions to the production work of the Theatre and Dance Department.
The Marguerite Pearson Award in Drama. A prize is awarded annually to the graduating senior from any of the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges who has made the greatest overall contribution to theatre in Claremont during his or her college career.
The David Ken Schoell Prize. Given in memory of a theatre student from Pitzer College, this prize is awarded annually to the student presenting the best work in one or more phases of theatre design during the year.
The Curtain Raisers Scholarship Fund. Several awards are made each year to enable talented students active in the Theatre and Dance Department to take advantage of summer theatre opportunities of benefit both to them as individuals and to the department.