The College's annual Prize Day on May 6, 2006 honored students for achievement in academics, research, service, governance, athletics and character.
Prizes and their recipients follow.
Academic Awards
Arts and Humanities
WILLIAM F. ALLEN (1895) ESSAY PRIZE – To a senior in any department for a non-fiction essay
Recipient(s): Amy Bass
RONALD A. AMIRAIAN (1980) MEMORIAL PRIZE – To a student of modern languages who has performed with distinction on a Union Term Abroad
Recipient(s): Jonathan Thatcher
ANDREW W. ARCHIBALD (1872) PRIZE – To the senior in humanities with the highest scholastic standing
Recipient(s): Nina Kalinkos
ARNOLD I. BITTLEMAN MEMORIAL PRIZE – To a student who has studied drawing in the Department of Visual Arts whose work has been judged outstanding
Recipient(s): Kota Kobayashi
WILLIAM H. BLOOM (1945), M.D., AND JONATHAN R. BLOOM (1988) POETRY PRIZE – For the best poem or series of poems by Union undergraduates
Recipient(s): Cooper Braun-Enos, Ross Marvin
DAVID BRIND (1982) MEMORIAL PRIZE IN ENGLISH – To one or more outstanding senior students in English
Recipient(s): Amy Bass, Nina Kalinkos, Angela Morse
FRANKEL PRIZE – Awarded for outstanding academic achievement in a religion course
Recipient(s): Nathaniel Brown, Leahanna Klement
HANS HAINEBACH MEMORIAL PRIZE IN GERMAN LITERATURE – To a sophomore or junior who has demonstrated particular promise as a student of German literature
Recipient(s): Robert Larimore
HANS HAINEBACH MEMORIAL ENDOWED PRIZE – To the student who has offered the best performance in the field of Judaica
Recipient(s): Michael Zaplin
EDWARD EVERETT HALE, JR. PRIZE – For the best essay written by a sophomore or junior
Recipient(s): Samantha Seide
VICTOR HERBERT PRIZE – For the two students who show the most promise of making a contribution to American music
Recipient(s): Sarah Bills, Sarah Serbun
JOHN IWANIK PRIZE – To one or more students for outstanding study of the Russian language
Recipient(s): Ilana Prusock
THOMAS J. JUDSON (1966) MEMORIAL BOOK PRIZE – To a sophomore who has shown academic excellence as well as sincere interest in the study of modern languages
Recipient(s): Hilary Handin
HAROLD A. LARRABEE PRIZE – To one or more students who have done the best work in philosophy during the year
Recipient(s): Colby Garb, Melissa Perrino
MINERVA PRIZE – To the student whose work best combines the scholarly study of women or gender with the activities that enhance the life of women on campus
Recipient(s): Amanda Rice
PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN SENIOR SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY AWARD – To the senior student who displays outstanding scholarly activity in her field
Recipient(s): Fatima Mahmood
CHARLES ALEXANDER RICHMOND PRIZES – Two, one for excellence in the fine arts, the other for excellence in the appreciation of music
Recipient(s): Fine Arts – Kate Gustafson
Recipient(s): Music –Adam Young
AIME SIMON (1991) TERM ABROAD PRIZE – To a student of high academic standing and promise with a strong interest in study abroad
Recipient(s): Rachael Federico
MILTON HYMES STERNFELD (1916) PRIZE – For the best original essay in philosophy by a member of the senior class
Recipient(s): Ankur Aggarwal
WESSEL TEN BROECK VAN ORDEN (1839) PRIZE – To a freshman excelling in English composition
Recipient(s): Stephanie Berlind
EDWARD VILLELLA (LITT.D. 1991) PRIZE – To provide an opportunity for an advanced student or students to pursue further study in the field of dance
Recipient(s): Rachael Peters, Sara Weiner
EUGENE I. YUDIS (1955) PRIZE – To the student in any class who has produced the best piece of prose fiction
Recipient(s): Morgan Bruner
PHI BETA KAPPA (1817) AWARDS – To juniors and seniors of academic distinction who are candidates for the B.A. or general B.S. degree. The Union College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha of New York, was established in 1817 and is the fifth oldest in the country.
Recipient(s): Senior Class: Nathaniel Brown, Lauren Canepari, Emily Clark, Eric Darlow, Noah Eber-Schmid, Erika Eishenhut, Colby Garb, Thomas Hickernell, Carin Jenkins, Timothy Johnson, Nina Kalinkos, Sejal Kothari, Michelle Lombard, Laura Meloney, Joseph Morales, Angela Morse, Jessica Murtagh, David Olson, Melissa Perrino, Thomas Reilly, Jeffrey Rosenberg, Sonya Saxena, Amy Serfis, Paras Shah, Jessica Simmon, Joanna Stern, Alissandra Stoyan, Jenanan Vairavamurthy, Derek Wayman
Recipient(s): Junior Class: Craig Ferguson, Julia Mathew
Social Sciences
JOSEPH D. DOTY PRIZE – To a junior or senior who, in the judgment of the Department of History, has done work of outstanding merit
Recipient(s): Justin Silvestri
OSWALD HECK (1924) – IRWIN STEINGUT PRIZE – To the student majoring in the Division of Social Sciences who has consistently done the best work in political science
Recipient(s): Jessica Simmon
ALBERT C. INGHAM (1847) PRIZE – To the student in the Division of Social Sciences judged to have done the most outstanding piece of scholarly work
Recipient(s): Mara VandenBold
DAVID S. KAPLAN (1982) MEMORIAL PRIZE – To one or more students of merit in political science who are participating in a term abroad program
Recipient(s): Michael Stabinski, Marc Tohme
LEWIS HENRY MORGAN (1840) PRIZE – To the anthropology major who produces the best senior thesis
Recipient(s): Emily Clark
ALVIN F. NITCHMAN (1924) PRIZE – To a political science major preparing for law school who exhibits outstanding academic promise and character
Recipient(s): Sonya Saxena
HANS PASCH MEMORIAL PRIZE – Awarded for the best essays written by one or more Union students on the Holocaust
Recipient(s): Michael Zaplin
PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN SENIOR THESIS PRIZE – To one or more students whose senior thesis makes the greatest contribution to scholarship on women
Recipient(s): Ruth Fasoldt, Angela Morse
ROTARY FOUNDATION ENDOWED PRIZE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY – To the senior showing the greatest promise and interest in international relations
Recipient(s): David Walters
FRELING H. SMITH (1865) PRIZE – For the best senior thesis in the Department of History
Recipient(s): Ruth Fasoldt
ROGER THAYER STONE (1928) PRIZE – To the student who has written the best senior theses in sociology
Recipient(s): Jennifer Lewis
MILDRED WILDER PRIZE – To the senior majoring in political science who, in the opinion of the political science faculty, has written the best piece of scholarly work pertaining to the subject of women and politics
Recipient(s): Amanda Gordick
Natural Sciences
DIVISION OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY AWARD – To a student who has excelled in analytical chemistry
Recipient(s): Lauren Carlson
SAMUEL S. FEUER (1925) PRIZE – To the senior in the premedical course (whose primary interest is dentistry) who has maintained the highest scholastic average over four years
Recipient(s): Marisa Zarchy
ROBERT M. FULLER (1863) PRIZE – To the senior in chemistry whose standing has been of high grade and who has shown unusual ability in original experimental work
Recipient(s): David Olson
– To the sophomore whose work for the first two years in the Chemistry Department has given the greatest promise for a successful career in that subject
Recipient(s): Shawn Bartok
BRUCE M. GARBER (1971) PRIZE – To the premedical or predental student who best exemplifies the qualities of personal integrity and humane concern for the future practice of medicine or dentistry
Recipient(s): Chris Stark
LISA S. GERHAN (1994) MEMORIAL AWARD – For academic excellence, a commitment to the field of psychology, and the potential for future contributions to the field
Recipient(s): Michael Strom
EUGENE W. HELLMICH (1923) MEMORIAL PRIZE – To one or more seniors for excellence in mathematics preparing for a career in teaching mathematics
Recipient(s): Erika Eisenhut
CHARLES B. HURD PRIZE – To a student pursuing a course in physical chemistry
Recipient(s): Sarah Sparks
WILLIAM E. LASNIK (1968) PRIZE – To a junior or senior premedical student demonstrating outstanding character and scholarship
Recipient(s): Michael Zaplin
STEPHEN F. LEO (1884), M.D., PRIZE – To the premedical student who has attained the highest grades in the graduating class and who has been accepted into medical school
Recipient(s): Rashmi Jayadevan
EDITH EMILEE MACCOY PRIZE – To a student who excels in botany
Recipient(s): Amanda Stella
JOHN LEWIS MARCH PRIZE – To the senior who has shown increased interest and ability in psychology during his or her final two years in the College
Recipient(s): Christopher Bory
HAROLD AND ELLEN NAGORSKY MEMORIAL PRIZE – To the premedical student who is in the junior class and contributes the most to the Union College community through extracurricular activities
Recipient(s): Brian Gulack
RONALD M. OBENZINGER (1961) PRIZE – To a premedical student who is selected for high academic merit and personal worthiness
Recipient(s): Derek Wayman
PSI CHI SERVICE AWARD – To an outstanding student majoring in psychology who has contributed to the goals and aims of Psi Chi, the national psychology honorary society
Recipient(s): Hannah Kaplan
MARTIN TERRY RESCH PRIZE – To a senior showing the greatest promise in the study of pure or applied mathematics
Recipient(s): Fatima Mahmood
ROBERT L. ROYAL (1938) AWARD – To a deserving student who has been accepted by Albany Medical College
Recipient(s): Timothy Johnson
EDWARD S.C. SMITH GEOLOGY PRIZE – To a senior, majoring in geology, who demonstrates high professional potential
Recipient(s): Christopher Kassel
DR. REUBEN SORKIN (1933) AWARD FOR PROFICIENCY IN PREMEDICAL STUDIES – To a senior demonstrating proficiency in undergraduate studies with an outstanding aptitude for continuing work leading to a degree in medicine
Recipient(s): Zohny Zohny
JAMES HENRY TURNBULL (1929) PRIZE – To the outstanding students in the sophomore class in physics
Recipient(s): Richard Bonventre, Bilal Mahmood
LEE AND WILLIAM WRUBEL MEMORIAL PRIZE – To a senior preparing for dentistry or medicine, based upon academic achievement and character
Recipient(s): Charelle Carter
Engineering
GENERAL ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION STEINMETZ AWARD – To one or more students in mechanical engineering who undertake and complete the best senior projects as voted by the faculty in mechanical engineering
Recipient(s): Evan Gouzie, Paul Seiffert
SHANKAR GOKHALE PRIZE – To a senior in engineering with a strong academic interest in economics
Recipient(s): Timothy Roth
JOHN S. HADALA (1928) ENDOWED BOOK PRIZE – To a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, selected by the faculty on the basis of academic, personal, and social achievement
Recipient(s): David Korim
INGVAR V. INGVARSSON PRIZE – To one or more seniors of high scholastic standing in electrical engineering
Recipient(s): Michael Beatty
WARNER KING (1906) PRIZE – To the senior in engineering who has contributed most to the traditions and ideals of the College
Recipient(s): Christopher Ercoli
ETHEL KIRCHENBAUM MEMORIAL PRIZE – To the senior with the best potential for furthering the ideals of the engineering profession
Recipient(s): Timothy Roth
ALICE P. AND DONALD C. LOUGHRY (1952) PRIZE – To one or more students who have produced the best projects in computer science
Recipient(s): Michael Boyer, Mark Weston
– To one or more students who have produced the best senior projects in electrical engineering
Recipient(s): Robin Stevenson
R. E. MORGAN MEMORIAL AWARD – To a senior in electrical engineering for outstanding creative scholarship
Recipient(s): Christopher Ercoli
MORTIMER F. SAYRE PRIZE – To the senior with the best potential in furthering the ideals of the mechanical engineering profession
Recipient(s): Jonathan Hoffman
TAU BETA PI AWARDS – To juniors and seniors who have achieved outstanding records in engineering studies and have demonstrated excellence of character
Recipient(s): Senior Class: Aaron Agostino, Patrick Allen, Michael Beatty, Michael Boyer, Laura DeMar, Christopher Ercoli, Paul Fathallah, Jonathan Hoffman, Matthew Korchinsky, David Korim, Oliver Majer, Amanda Manganello, Timothy Nonna, Timothy Roth, Robin Stevenson
Recipient(s): Junior Class: Mark Angeloni, Fenghua Chen, Brian Feldman, Craig Ferguson, Daniel Fishman, Brendon Keinath, Noah Wallace
GEORGE H. WILLIAMS PRIZE – Awarded annually to a graduating senior for excellence in computer science
Recipient(s): Michael Boyer, Mark Weston
College Service Awards
WENDY BERNSTEIN (1980) MEMORIAL AWARD – To a sophomore for superior service to the College, awarded by the Student Forum members
Recipient(s): Naazia Husain
ALAN LAKE CHIDSEY (1925) CITIZENSHIP AWARD – To a senior for distinctive contributions to the advancement of responsible government in student affairs
Recipient(s): Brian Selchick
DELPHIC HONOR SOCIETY AWARDS – To juniors and seniors for exemplary contribution to the Union College community
Recipient(s): Senior Class: Eleanor Alk, Jennifer Colon, Julia Croft, Christopher Ercoli, Francisco Ferrer, Andrew Moyer, Mary Olushoga, Adam Sultaire
Recipient(s): Junior Class: Colin Farrill, Michael Grady, Brian Gulack, Derek Johndrow, Zachary Lazovik, Charles Sumpter, Jonathan Thatcher, Max Zimbert
OUTSTANDING GREEK WOMAN – To the member of a sorority who has made an outstanding contribution to the sorority system at Union
Recipient(s): Julia Croft
JOEL A. HALPERN (1961) PRIZE – To one or more students in recognition of outstanding commitment and service to the community
Recipient(s): Charelle Carter, Wade Cheatham
FREDERICK B. HAWLEY, JR., MEMORIAL AWARD – To the senior fraternity man who has made outstanding contributions in scholarship and student activities
Recipient(s): Christopher Ercoli
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS – To seniors for service in any field above and beyond the normal requirements of duty, based on criteria established by the Student Forum, and voted by the Student Affairs Council
Recipient(s): Jennifer Colon, Julia Croft, Christopher Ercoli, Andrew Moyer,Brian Selchick, Asam Sultaire
PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – To one or more students who have devoted the most time and energy to furthering the cause of women at Union
Recipient(s): Mary Olushoga, Amanda Rice
RESIDENT ADVISOR AWARD – To one or more resident assistants for outstanding service in the development of the residential community at Union
Recipient(s): Joseph Martel, Elizabeth Ruddle
CALVIN G. SCHMIDT (1951) PRIZE – To a junior selected by the Student Forum who has contributed most to the development and improvement of student life on the Union College campus
Recipient(s): Zachary Lazovik
J. RICHARD SHANEBROOK PRIZE – Created from the gifts of Prof. J. Richard Shanebook in honor of his parents, John A. and Lois L. Shanebrook, to the student of any religious tradition who has contributed the most to the betterment of religious life on campus
Recipient(s): Naazia Husain
UNITAS DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD – To the student who has made a significant contribution toward fostering diversity on campus
Recipient(s): Mary Olushoga
DAVID WAGENSEIL (1978) MEMORIAL AWARD – To a senior fraternity man for outstanding participation and leadership in intramural sports
Recipient(s): Thomas Hickernell
Athletic Awards
EASTERN COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEDAL OF MERIT – To an athlete who has combined excellence on the fields of competition with excellence in the classroom and outstanding service to the College
Recipient(s): Brianne Phillips
WILLIAM B. JAFFE (1926) MEDAL – To the student chosen as the outstanding athlete of the year, taking into account the character and motivation of the individual in addition to athletic excellence
Recipient(s): John Cagianello
WILLIAM A. PIKE (1960) MEMORIAL TROPHY – To a junior for attitude, participation and achievement in intercollegiate sports
Recipient(s): Thomas Arcidiacono
PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ATHLETIC PROMISE AWARD – To the student in her junior, sophomore, or freshman year who shows the most promise in women's athletics at Union
Recipient(s): Caitlin Cuozzo
PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARD – To the senior who has done the most to promote sports for women at Union
Recipient(s): Erika Eisenhut
ROBERT M. RIDINGS AWARD – To a senior for her attitude, ability, participation and achievement in intercollegiate sports at Union College
Recipient(s): Erika Eisenhut
Honor Awards
JULIAN B. HOFFMAN, M.D., MEMORIAL AWARD – To the student (preferably premedical) in the Department of Performing Arts for distinguished interest, devotion, and contribution to the arts and/or intellectual climate at Union College
Recipient(s): Colin Foard
– To the student (preferably premedical) in the Department of Visual Arts for distinguished interest, devotion, and contribution to the visual arts and/or intellectual climate of Union College
Recipient(s): Amanda Leung
ROGER H. HULL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – To a senior who has rendered the most sustained service to the greater Schenectady community. This award honors a student who has initiated and/or actively engaged in an ongoing community service project.
Recipient(s): Elroy Tatem
DANIEL F. PULLMAN PRIZES – Two, one to a senior of high scholastic standing in humanities, the other to a similar student in engineering
Recipient(s): Paul Fathallah (Engineering), Angela Morse (Classics/Humanities)
FRANCES TRAVIS AWARD – To a student who is working his/her way through college and who has demonstrated unusual responsibility and self¬ reliance
Recipient(s): WingPong Ng
HORATIO G. WARNER (1826) PRIZE – To a senior of high personal character who has the highest scholastic standing in the bachelor of arts program
Recipient(s): Jessica Simmon
GEORGE H. CATLIN (1867) PRIZE – To one or more liberal arts seniors with the highest scholastic record, deemed most promising for graduate study and eventual service in the field of college teaching
Recipient(s): David Olson, Jessica Simmon
JOSEPHINE DAGGETT PRIZE – To the senior of the best character and conduct
Recipient(s): Brian Selchick
FRANK BAILEY (1885) PRIZE – To the senior who has rendered the greatest service to the College in any field
Recipient(s): Sonya Saxena