By Ross Marvin ‘07
Ian Kennedy '07 has received the Frank Bailey Prize for the greatest service to the College, and Jonathan Thatcher '07 received the Josephine Daggett Prize, presented to the senior deemed to be of the best character and conduct.
The prizes were among those presented at the College’s annual Prize Day last weekend.
Kennedy, a political science major, has been active as president of Campus Action, Union’s social action group, where he helped organize the Iraq War Memorial, a display of thousands of wooden stakes representing dead American soldiers. The Barnard, Vt., native also helped bring provocative guest speakers to campus, among them former United Nations weapons inspector Scott Ritter.
“It’s an honor to win the Bailey Prize,” Kennedy said. “It recognizes people who work outside the typical framework of the College, and it rewards creativity and the desire to forge your own way.”
As a member of Ozone House, Kennedy has promoted environmental awareness at Union, helping to establish the student-run U Recycle and Ozone Café. He did a term abroad in Brazil, conducted summer research with Political Science Professors Richard Fox and John Zumbrunnen and served as an intern for Democracy Matters. He was a tutor in the AOP office, where he will be a program coordinator this summer.
Thatcher, a Ticonderoga, N.Y., native and History major, has worn many hats at Union, including head resident advisor for Richmond Hall, senior intern in Admissions and four-year work-study student in the International Programs Office. He did a term abroad in Greece and attended the Spanish Pilgrimage mini-term.
He is currently vice president of academics for Student Forum. After graduation, he will enter the Teach for America program at an elementary school in Las Vegas.
“I’m most proud of my work in the R.A. program, which has been very rewarding,” Thatcher said. “Everything I’ve been able to do at Union has been worth doing, worth pursuing. It came as a huge shock, a thrill and honor to be recognized at Prize Day.”
Both Thatcher and Kennedy also were the recipients of the Meritorious Service Award.
For a complete list of Prize Day winners, click here.