Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Academic Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Academic Catalog THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. LINKS MAY NO LONGER BE ACTIVE AND CONTENT MAY BE OUT OF DATE!

Recognition of Academic Achievement



Honors

Omicron Delta Epsilon

Founded in 1915, Omicron Delta Epsilon is one of the world’s largest academic honor societies. The Scripps College chapter, Alpha Upsilon, was established in 2009 to recognize scholastic attainment and honor outstanding achievements in economics, and to foster closer ties between students and faculty in economics within the College.

Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta is a national honor society in history. Students who meet the criteria are invited to join.

Phi Beta Kappa

The Theta of California Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was established at Scripps College in 1962. Students are elected to membership on the basis of academic standing and regulations for eligibility established by the chapter and the national society.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to undergraduate students who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests, and who meet the qualifications.

Sigma Delta Pi

Scripps College is a member of The Claremont Colleges chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, honorary Spanish society. Juniors and seniors are elected to membership on the basis of academic standing and regulations for eligibility established by the chapter and the national society.

Sigma Xi

The Claremont Colleges Club of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, elects undergraduates to associate membership in the national society on the basis of outstanding aptitude for scientific research and achievement in science.

Theta Alpha Kappa

Scripps College is a member of The Claremont Colleges chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, a national honor society for Religious Studies/Theology. Students are elected to membership on the basis of academic standing and regulations for eligibility established by the national society.

Tau Beta Pi

Founded in 1885, Tau Beta Pi is a national engineering honor society. Seniors are elected to membership on the basis of their outstanding work in engineering.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List is published at the end of each semester and consists of names of those students who have achieved a grade point average of 11 (A-) or better while taking a four-course load at The Claremont Colleges (not including Physical Education activity courses or independent internship courses). All four courses must be graded with letter grades. However, an exception is made if the student is enrolled in a course which is only offered on a pass/fail basis.

Dean’s List eligibility is contingent upon final grades earned in all courses in a given semester. Students who receive grades of Incomplete or continuing grades of N will be considered for the Dean’s list once all final grades are recorded.

Latin Honors

Latin Honors are awarded at graduation based on the following criteria:

Summa Cum Laude 11.7-12.0 GPA
Magna Cum Laude 11.4-11.69 GPA
Cum Laude 10.7-11.39 GPA

October and January graduates are included in the selection process for the following May’s graduating class.

Awards

The Crombie Allen Award is presented for the best creative written work: essay, short story, poetry, or play. It was established in 1929 by Mr. Crombie Allen, a former editor of the Ontario Daily Report.

The Alumnae Association Award is given to one or more seniors in recognition of outstanding contributions to the life of the College.

The Alumnae Athletic Award was established in honor of Mollie Clyde Wilson ‘32 who was an outstanding tennis player at Scripps. The award is given each year to a student who has excelled in intercollegiate sports.

The Ament Scholars Award was established by alumnae of the classes of 1931 through 1947 in memory of William Sheffield Ament, Professor of English, and a member of the original faculty of Scripps College from 1926-1947. The award is given each year to a junior who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship in the humanities. The award is not a cash prize, but is credited toward the student’s tuition.

The Anthropology Senior Thesis Award recognizes the senior thesis in anthropology that best engages all aspects of the ethnographic process, from conception to fieldwork to analysis and final written presentation.

The Art Department Innovation Award, established in 2012, goes to a senior art project that is noted for its innovative spirit and may be in any media.

Athlete of the Year Award is given to the outstanding athlete for the current academic year, co-sponsored by the Dean of Students Office and CMS Athletic Department.

The Noëlle and Veronique Boucquey Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award was established in 2006 by Thierry Boucquey, current professor of French at the College, in honor of his daughters. The scholarship annually recognizes a senior student athlete who was distinguished during four years of athletic eligibility by an outstanding performance or other extraordinary achievement or distinction in one of CMS’ competitive sports, while concurrently earning a minimum cumulative GPA of A- (11.00 or3.66). The student is selected by the Joint Athletics (CMS) coaching staff.

Chicana/o Latina/o Studies Senior Thesis Award recognizes excellent work in the field of Chicana/o Latina/o Studies.

The English Senior Thesis Award is given to the senior whose English thesis that best meets the criteria of an important, well-sustained, and cogently developed argument; of thoughtful, discriminating use of secondary sources; of thoroughness of research; and of excellence in writing. The student is selected by the English faculty.

The Esterly Awards were established in 1949 in memory of Virginia Judy Esterly by gifts from students, colleagues, and friends of Mrs. Esterly and of the College. The awards are granted to students who present worthwhile educational projects to be conducted during the summer for which they do not have readily available funds.

The Margaret Siler Faust Psychology Senior Thesis Award, named in honor of Margaret Siler Faust, Professor Emerita of Psychology, who retired from Scripps College after more than 30 years of teaching and research in psychological science, is given to the senior whose thesis best exemplifies the use of careful, empirical research to address important psychological questions about human behavior and experience.

The Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department Award recognizes the accomplishments of a graduating senior majoring in FGSS who has significantly contributed to the department through the quality of academic work, the collegiality of interactions, and commitment to the advancement of feminist ideals.

The Ruth George Poetry Prize established in 1951 in recognition of Professor George’s devoted and inspired teaching of writing and the appreciation of poetry, is given for an outstanding poem or collection of poetry. The prize is awarded only for work of special merit and is not necessarily given each year.

The Martha Wehmeier Hammer ‘66 Scholarship was established in 1996 to honor Ms. Hammer upon the completion of her term of office as president of the Board of Trustees and in recognition of her service to Scripps College. The award is given to an outstanding sophomore at the end of the third semester of the Core Curriculum in Interdisciplinary Humanities. The recipient receives the scholarship for the junior year.

The Frederick Hard Award is named in honor of the late distinguished Shakespearean scholar who served as president of the College from 1944 through 1964. The award is presented to a student at Scripps College for outstanding contributions to our knowledge and appreciation of the Elizabethan Age.

The Hispanic Studies Senior Thesis Award is presented by the Hispanic studies faculty for the best senior thesis in Hispanic studies and its related disciplines.

The History Senior Thesis Award is presented by the history faculty for the best senior thesis in history and related disciplines.

The Hsu Fund for Academic Interactions with China supports faculty and/or student travel to China and exchanges and/or delegations with Chinese Universities that further the academic and/or research pursuits of the faculty, students, and College.

The Mary W. Johnson and J. Stanley Johnson Student Research Awards, established in 1995, support student summer research projects. Students work under the guidance of Scripps faculty members and present their results to the college community at a college-wide research symposium in the fall.

The Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Scholarship is funded by the Jungels-Winkler Charitable Foundation in London to support a Scripps student who is admitted to the MA program in Art History at the Courtauld Institute at the University of London, which is one of the best graduate programs in the world. The scholarship covers tuition fees and a living stipend.

The Sara Ladwig Prize in Italian Studies was established to honor the memory of Sara Ladwig who taught Italian for many years at Mt. San Antonio College. It is awarded to a Scripps Italian or Italian Studies major, in the student’s junior year. It may also be awarded to an outstanding sophomore, and on certain occasions, it could be awarded to a senior for an outstanding thesis. The prize is intended for students to travel to Italy during the summer, or a year/semester abroad program, during which time the student will research a project/investigate an issue or topic that will form the basis of the student’s senior thesis.

The Lois Langland Psychology Award, named after Lois Langland, Professor Emerita of Psychology, who retired from Scripps College after 20 years of teaching, is given to student(s) in psychology who propose to carry out empirical research on the attributes and functioning of women in their various capacities as individuals and as members of society. Any student majoring or minoring in psychology is eligible.

The Latin American Studies Senior Thesis Award is presented by the Latin American studies faculty for the best senior thesis in Latin American studies.

The Legal Studies Senior Thesis Award is presented for the best senior thesis written by a graduating Scripps senior in legal studies.

The Samella Lewis Scholarship was established in 2002 by former students, friends, and admirers of Samella Lewis, Professor Emerita of Art History.  The scholarship honors Samella Lewis as an educator, artist, and mentor.  The scholarship is awarded to an African American student on the basis of scholastic achievement, excellence in the character, leadership, and responsibility.

The Lind Family Prize in Mathematics in Honor of Mary Barron and Professor Louis Barron is designated in loving memory by their nephew, Matthew M. Lind, parent of Katy Lind ‘06. The prize is awarded to an outstanding senior who is a math major. In addition, there is also a tuition-offsetting scholarship to be awarded to an undergraduate who has shown particular promise in math.

The Barbara McClintock Science Award, named for the only woman to receive an unshared Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, was established in 199 by President Emerita Nancy Y. Bekavac in honor of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser. This prize is awarded for the best senior thesis written by a graduating Scripps senior in the sciences.

The Lucile Morrison Dance Award, established in 1947 by the late trustee Mrs. Lucile Morrison, is designed to provide students with an opportunity to broaden their horizons and to encourage their interest in dance as a vital educational experience. It is given to a sophomore or junior to enable the student to study at summer school with outstanding professionals.

Napier Initiative
The Pilgrim Place community offers two $12,000 Napier Awards for Creative Leadership to graduating seniors at the five Claremont Colleges.  The Awards were established as a memorial to Davie and Joy Napier, longtime residents of Pilgrim Place, who in earlier years had remarkable careers as prophetic advocates for a just, peaceful and sustainable world.

The Padelford French Award was established in memory of Louise Restieaux Hawkes Padelford, assistant professor of French from 1929 to 1931 and trustee emerita. This book award is given to an outstanding Scripps College senior who was distinguished in French studies. The student is selected by the French faculty.

The Robert B. Palmer Classics Award, established in memory of the late Robert B. Palmer, trustee professor of classical studies at Scripps from 1949 to 1977, is awarded to students who have displayed distinguished scholarship and promise in their studies of the classics.

The Gladys Pattison Music Award was established in 1973 by her friends in memory of the widow of Lee Pattison, professor of music from 1941 to 1962. It is given each year to the most deserving student in the field of music for the purpose of enriching the recipient’s music library.

The Marguerite Pearson Award in Drama was established in 1974 by Mrs. Lillian Grey to commemorate the life-long interest in drama of her sister, Marguerite Pearson. It is a cash award presented annually to a student or students who have demonstrated talent in one or more fields of dramatic art.

The Politics Senior Thesis Award is given for the best senior thesis written by a graduating Scripps senior in politics.

The Rudolph Polk Memorial Award was established in 1957 by friends and colleagues of the late Rudolph Polk and is available to a student in instrumental music (violin, viola, cello, or piano). The award is made, after an audition, on the basis of technical competence, musicianship, and general musical background. Students from any of The Claremont Colleges are eligible for the cash award.

The Edith Potter German Award honors the memory of this professor of German who retired in 1990 after 23 years of teaching at Scripps College. The award is given annually to one of more students majoring in German or German studies, whose superior performance, independent thinking, and commitment to their studies make not only a valuable contribution to the College, but will also enable them to make intelligent and innovative use of their major following their graduation from Scripps.

The Merle A. and Edith G. Potter Award was established in recognition of Edith Potter’s 23 years of dedicated service to Scripps College, and her tireless efforts to carry on the legacy of her late husband to build bridges of understanding between Germans and Americans. In 1997, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany recognized Professor Potter for her many efforts by awarding her the Federal Order of Merit.

The Joan Robinson Prize in Economics was established in memory of this highly acclaimed female economist. The prize is given by the economics faculty for superior accomplishment in the senior thesis, judged on analytical and creative merit.

The Marie McSpadden Sands Merit Awards were established in 1995 by the sons of this member of the Class of ‘34. The awards recognize excellence in writing among first-year students.

The Slocum Awards are given each year to the seniors who have assembled the best personal libraries during their four years at Scripps College.

The Isabel Fothergill Smith Scholarship, named in honor of the first dean of the College, recognizes the scholastic excellence of a Scripps junior or senior with financial need, whose major field of interest is mathematics or the physical sciences and who also demonstrates a commitment to the humanities. The recipient should have at least a B+ average during the year prior to selection as recipient of the scholarship award. Should no students fit these criteria, the scholarship may then be awarded to students majoring in economics, or as a last choice, biology.

The Sybil Smith Memorial Latin Prize is a cash prize award normally given annually to an outstanding Scripps College senior classics major who is preparing for a professional career in the classics.

The Lucia Suffel Crafts Award was established in 1973 in memory of Lucia Suffel, a member of the Class of ‘60, by her family and friends. This award is given annually to an outstanding student whose work is focused particularly in ceramics and/or fabrics. The selection is made by the art faculty.

The Sallie Suzanne Tiernan Memorial Award was established by trustee Victoria Seaver Dean, daughter of Sallie Suzanne Tiernan and president of the Seaver Institute, as an award for a student planning to attend law school.

The Payton Watkins Award in Media Studies recognizes the accomplishments of a Scripps graduating senior majoring in media studies who has significantly contributed to the Intercollegiate Media Studies program through the quality of a student’s academic work, committed exploration of creative possibilities, and the mastery of chosen media as a means for issuing social thought.

The Edward A. White Award in American Studies was established in 1976, and is given annually to a senior who has done outstanding work in the study of the United States and its history, culture, or politics.

The Kathleen Wicker Religious Studies Senior Thesis Award. This award was established in 2003 by Professor Kathleen O’Brien Wicker and religious studies students to recognize the senior thesis that best deals critically and insightfully with a topic in the area of religion.

The Merle Woo Senior Project Prize in Asian American Studies is awarded to recognize excellent work in the field of Asian American studies.

The Writing Program Senior Thesis Award is given to a student in recognition of the eloquence and scholarly merit of a senior thesis by a self-designed writing major.

The Rosalyn S. Yalow Science Award, named for the 1977 Nobel Laureate, was established in honor of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser in 1991. The prize goes to a graduating Scripps science major with the highest GPA.

National and International Fellowships and Awards

Although there are many different undergraduate and graduate awards in various disciplinary fields and many other specialized grants, Scripps faculty are available to advise students concerning the following major national and international fellowships and awards:

Churchill Scholarship

This scholarship offers American students of exceptional ability and outstanding achievement the opportunity to pursue on year of graduate study in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics at the University of Cambridge in England.

Davis Projects for Peace Program

This award supports student-designed projects which envision building peace. Projects will be implemented during the summer of 2016 are funded at the $10,000 level. Recipients of the Davis Projects for Peace awards are undergraduate students enrolled in American colleges and universities which make up the Davis United World College Scholars Program.

Fulbright Scholar Program

The Fulbright Program offers scholarships for seniors and recent graduates interested in graduate study, research, or a Teaching Assistantship in English in more than 140 countries worldwide.

Freeman Fellowship

This fellowship is awarded to graduating seniors of The Claremont Colleges who have demonstrated the ability to research a topic(s) and accordingly design a relevant proposal focused on the peoples, culture, history or economy of one or more Asian countries. The Foundation’s major objectives include strengthening the bonds of friendship between the U.S. and the countries of Asia.

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

An annual scholarship funded by Congress in honor of the former senator Barry M. Goldwater to encourage outstanding undergraduate students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.

James Madison Fellowship

Fellowships for future and current secondary school teachers of American history, American government, and social studies in grades 7–12 to support their graduate study of the roots, principles, framing, and development of the United States Constitution.

Marshall Scholarship

A scholarship funded by the British Government and established as a national expression of gratitude to the United States for economic aid under the Marshall Plan after World War II. Annual scholarships enable college graduates of U.S. citizenship to study a wide range of subjects for a further degree at any of Britain’s universities and business schools.

Mitchell Scholarship

This scholarship was named in honor of Senator George J. Mitchell for his pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process. It allows U.S. citizen post-graduates to pursue one year of study at institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Awards of up to $32,000 stipends and $12,000 for tuition and fees per year for three years to support graduate study in mathematics, physical science, biological science, engineering, behavioral science, or social science.

Newton Fellowship

This fellowship program recruits and trains mathematically-talented individuals to become outstanding high school math teachers. This fellowship, funded by Math for America, offers stipends, teaching salary, and full tuition scholarships for a master’s in education and other support services.

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship

The purpose of The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans is to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields, offering two years of graduate study – in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program – in the United States.

Princeton in Africa Fellowship

Founded in 1999, Princeton in Africa develops young leaders committed to Africa’s advancement by offering yearlong fellowship opportunities with a variety of organizations that work across the African continent.

Rhodes Scholarship

This scholarship was initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes. Rhodes scholars are appointed to two years of study at the University of Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. Candidates demonstrate excellence in qualities of mind and in qualities of person.

Strauss Scholarship

This scholarship was created as a memorial to the late Don Strauss who demonstrated a strong, lifelong commitment to public service and education. The scholarship is granted to sophomore or junior-year students who wish to make a difference in local, regional, or national communities. The scholarship is awarded for the student’s junior or senior year.

Truman Scholarship

An annual scholarship funded by Congress in memory of the past president. Created to encourage outstanding junior undergraduate students to pursue public service careers.

Udall Scholarship

An annual scholarship funded by Congress to honor Senator Udall. Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate sophomore or junior students who intend to pursue careers related to environmental public policy and to Native American and Alaska Native sophomore or junior undergraduate students who intend to pursue careers in health care and tribal public policy.

Watson Fellowship

The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship is a one-year grant for purposeful, independent study outside the United States, awarded to graduating seniors nominated by one of 40 partner colleges.