Academic Honors, Prizes, and Fellowships
Dean’s List
During each academic term, students who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.6 or better in 12 or more points of letter credit in the preceding term are placed on the Dean’s List.
The grade P is considered neutral when the averages are figured, and the dividing factor is reduced by the number of points taken for Pass credit. Students who have received grades of D, F, W (or UW pre-Spring 2014) during the term are not eligible for consideration. In any given semester, the mark of YC (year course) precludes the attainment of Dean's List status until the grade for the entire year's coursework is awarded. Students who receive the grade of IN (incomplete), approved in advance by the Committee on Academic Standing, are eligible for Dean’s List only after all IN grades are changed to letter grades. Students who have been found responsible by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for a violation of academic integrity will not be eligible for the Dean’s List during the term of the sanction.
College (Latin) Honors
The Bachelor of Arts degree will be awarded with honors in three categories (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) to the top 25 percent of the graduating class. Honors are determined by an undergraduate student's cumulative GPA for all work at Columbia, with the top 5 percent of the graduating class being awarded summa cum laude, the next 10 percent being awarded magna cum laude, and the remaining 10 percent awarded cum laude.
College honors are the highest academic recognition awarded by the College. There is no separate consideration of honors for October or February graduates. The honor is officially noted on the diploma and transcript of students who have graduated. October and February graduates may ask the Registrar to add an honors notation to an already issued diploma.
Both academic standing and disciplinary standing are taken into consideration when awarding College honors.
Latin Honors are calculated based on student academic achievement in all semesters at Columbia, including the final semester. Since final grades for seniors for spring semester classes can be submitted only a few days before graduation, and those grades must be part of a student's transcript to be eligible, Latin Honors are typically announced following graduation.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The Committee on Honors, Awards, and Prizes reviews the academic records of the most exceptional students nominated by the faculty for Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Selection is based not on GPA alone, but on the breadth, depth, rigor of academic program, high quality of academic achievement, departmental recommendations, and outstanding academic work beyond that which is required for the degree.
The Committee on Honors, Awards, and Prizes considers both academic standing and disciplinary standing within the College when awarding Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
Departmental Honors
Departmental honors may be established and awarded by any Columbia College department or academic program, and is recorded on a student’s final transcript. Students should consult with their director of undergraduate studies no later than the beginning of the first term of their senior year if they wish to be considered for departmental honors. Students who are awarded departmental honors are notified by their department in mid-May. Not all departments and programs offer departmental honors.
College guidelines for departmental honors include the following four criteria:
Departmental honors are awarded to no more than 10%, or, in small departments, one member, of the graduating majors (including all October, February, and May degrees);
A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.6 in major courses is expected for a student to be considered for departmental honors;
An honors thesis or equivalent project of high quality should be required by each department or academic program in order to receive departmental honors;
Academic departments and programs consider both academic standing and disciplinary standing within the College when awarding departmental honors. Please note that special concentrations are not eligible for consideration for departmental honors.
Phi Beta Kappa
This academic society was founded in 1776 to recognize and celebrate friendship, morality, and learning. The Columbia College Delta chapter was formed in 1869. Each year, 10% of the senior class are inducted into Phi Beta Kappa by faculty who are members of the society. Two percent are elected in the fall and the other eight percent are elected in the spring. Selection is based not only on academic achievement, but also on evidence of intellectual promise, character, and achievement outside the classroom. Academic achievement is measured by the strength and rigor of the chosen academic program, as well as by grades and faculty recommendations. Students may not apply for Phi Beta Kappa nor may they solicit faculty for recommendations.
As with graduation honors, October and February graduates are considered along with May graduates. Election to Phi Beta Kappa is noted on a student’s transcript.
The faculty Phi Beta Kappa selection committee considers both academic standing and disciplinary standing within the College when electing new members to the society.
While prizes are typically awarded annually, they are done so at the discretion of respective selection committees. Hence, should a selection committee decide, in a particular year, that there are no suitable candidates; the prize will not be awarded. Unless otherwise noted, these prizes are awarded to Columbia College students only.
General Prizes
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
(1947) A trophy, in the form of a Columbia lion, awarded annually to the member of the senior class who is judged to be most outstanding for qualities of mind, character, and service to the College.
ALUMNI PRIZE
(1858) Awarded annually by the Alumni Association to the senior judged by classmates to be the most faithful and deserving.
CHARLES H. BJORKWALL PRIZE
(1937) Established by Ottle Emma Bjorkwall in memory of her brother, Dr. Charles H. Bjorkwall. Awarded annually to a member of the senior class for unselfish service to the College community.
EDWARD SUTLIFF BRAINARD MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1920) Established by Miss Phebe Sutliff in memory of her nephew, Edward Brainard Sutliff, CC‘21. Awarded annually to the member of the graduating class who is judged by classmates to be most worthy of distinction for qualities of mind and character.
JAMES CHRISTOPHER CARALEY MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1984) Established in memory of James Christopher Caraley, 1959–1979, CC‘81, by his family and friends. Awarded annually to that member of the junior class who has demonstrated the greatest commitment to the value of preservation of the natural environment or of world peace and order.
ROBERT LINCOLN CAREY MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1967) A trophy, in the form of a lion, awarded annually by the Alumni Association to the senior who, through a combination of leadership qualities as exercised in the non-athletic extracurricular program of Columbia College and outstanding achievement in the academic program of the College, best exemplifies the ideals that Robert Lincoln Carey sought to engender in the students of Columbia College.
STANLEY I. FISHEL/ZETA BETA TAU PRIZE
Established in honor of Stanley I. Fishel, CC‘34, who was president of ZBT while at Columbia and later national president, and who believed in the important role fraternities can play in the development of undergraduates. Awarded to an undergraduate fraternity member who has demonstrated leadership, academic achievement, and participation in athletics or other campus activities.
RICHARD H. FOX MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1927) Established by Mr. and Mrs. Leon S. Fox in memory of their son, Richard H. Fox, CC‘21. Awarded to the senior who, in the judgment of the King’s Crown Advisory Committee, has shown to the College the greatest interest and helpfulness. The student must have participated in some nonathletic activities and must be one who combines intelligence with a kindly interest in his or her fellows.
ROBERT SHELLOW GERDY PRIZE
(1969) Established by Mr. and Mrs. Irving Gerdy in memory of their son, Robert Shellow Gerdy, CC‘39. Awarded to that member of the graduating class who, throughout the undergraduate years, has made a significant contribution as a member of the staff of one or more College student publications, especially Jester, Columbia Review, and Spectator.
ROBERT HARRON AWARD
(1972) Established by his friends in memory of Robert Harron. Awarded annually to a member of the junior class for qualities of grace and generosity.
KING’S CROWN AWARD
(1916) Gold and silver insignia in the form of King’s Crowns, each distinguished by a device symbolic of a particular activity, awarded annually by the King’s Crown Advisory Committee in recognition of significant participation in any activity under its jurisdiction. Conferred each spring on the basis of written nominations solicited from the governing board of each eligible organization.
MILCH PRIZE
(1948) Established by Dr. and Mrs. Henry Milch. Awarded annually to the member of the junior class who, by leadership in extracurricular as well as scholastic activities, has, in the judgment of teachers and classmates, done the most to enhance the reputation of Columbia College.
LEONARD A. PULLMAN MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1965) A certificate and the inscription of the student’s name on a plaque in Alfred Lerner Hall, awarded annually to a member of the senior class who displays those qualities of outstanding scholarship and significant service to the College exemplified in the life of Leonard Pullman, CC‘62. The recipient must occupy a position of responsibility in a nonathletic Columbia College activity.
CHARLES M. ROLKER, JR. PRIZE
(1909) Established by Mrs. C. M. Rolker in memory of her son, Charles M. Rolker, Jr., CC 1907. Awarded annually to the member of the graduating class who is judged by classmates to be most worthy of special distinction because of scholarship, participation in student activities, or in any combination thereof.
VAN AM PRIZE
(1925) Established by the Class of 1898 on the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary. Awarded to the member of the sophomore class who is most distinguished for service, character, and courtesy in relations with faculty members, fellow students, and visitors. A donation is presented to the student activity of the winner’s choice.
General Academic Prizes
ALBERT ASHER GREEN MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1913) Established by Mr. and Mrs. Asher Green in memory of their son, Albert Asher Green, CC 1914, this prize is awarded to the senior who has been a student in good standing in the College for at least three years and who has made the best record of scholarship.
DAVID B. TRUMAN ALUMNI AWARD
(1970) Established in honor of David B. Truman, former Dean of the College, this award acknowledges the Columbia College student who has made the most distinguished contribution to the academic affairs of the College.
Prizes in the Core Curriculum
JOSHUA A. FEIGENBAUM PRIZE IN LITERATURE HUMANITIES
(2004) Established by Joshua Feigenbaum and awarded to a student who is judged by the faculty to have exhibited excellence in Literature Humanities.
WALLACE A. GRAY PRIZE IN LITERATURE HUMANITIES
(2004) Established in memory of the late Professor Wallace Gray and awarded annually to the Columbia College undergraduate who is judged by the faculty to have written the best essay in Literature Humanities.
DEAN HAWKES MEMORIAL PRIZE IN THE HUMANITIES
(1943) Established by a committee of the Class of 1943 in memory of Dean Herbert E. Hawkes, this prize is awarded annually to the member of the junior class who is judged to be the most deserving on the basis of work in the humanities.
JONATHAN THRONE KOPIT PRIZE IN LOGIC AND RHETORIC
(1997) Established by Mrs. Ina Cohen in memory of her husband, Jonathan Throne Kopit, CC‘68, this prize is awarded annually to the Columbia College student who, in the opinion of the departmental committee, has made the most significant progress in University Writing.
JAMES P. SHENTON PRIZE IN CONTEMPORARY CIVILIZATION
(2004) Established by the Committee on the Core and the Office of the Dean of the College in memory of Professor James P. Shenton, CC‘49 and GSAS‘55, this prize is awarded annually to the Columbia College undergraduate who is judged by the faculty to have written the best essay in Contemporary Civilization.
Prizes in the Humanities
DINO BIGONGIARI PRIZE
(1954) Established by the former students and friends of Professor Dino Bigongiari, awarded annually to the senior who has written an outstanding essay on Italian civilization or whose work in the regular Italian courses is judged most worthy of distinction.
BUNNER PRIZE
(1896) Established by friends of the late Henry Cuyler Bunner, this prize is awarded to the candidate for a degree in Columbia University who has submitted the best essay on a topic dealing with American literature. The topic to be selected in connection with course or seminar work in American literature and approved by the chairman of the Bunner Prize Committee.
DOUGLAS GARDNER CAVERLY PRIZE
(1994) Established in memory of Douglas Gardner Caverly, CC‘68, by his family and friends, this prize is awarded for outstanding performance by a graduating major in Classics.
DEUTSCHER VEREIN PRIZE IN GERMAN
(1917) This prize is awarded annually to the junior or senior who submits the winning essay on a prescribed topic in German literature.
EARLE PRIZE IN CLASSICS
(1907) Established in memory of Mortimer Lamson Earle, CC 1886, lecturer and professor in the Department of Classics, this prize is awarded for excellence in sight translation of passages of Greek and Latin. Only candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts may compete.
JAMES GUTMANN PRIZE IN PHILOSOPHY
(1987) Established in honor of James Gutmann, this prize is awarded to a graduating Columbia College senior in Philosophy who plans to pursue graduate work in the field.
ADAM LEROY JONES PRIZE IN LOGIC
(1934) Established by Mrs. Adam Leroy Jones in memory of her husband, who was Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of University Admissions, 1909–1934. This prize is awarded to a student in the College for the best essay on any topic in the philosophy of science or in the foundation of logic. It may be either a topic connected with seminar work in the Department of Philosophy or one approved by the Jones Prize Committee.
HELEN AND HOWARD R. MARRARO PRIZE
(1972) Established in honor of Professor Howard R. Marraro, this prize is awarded to an undergraduate of high academic distinction and promise in an area of study concerned with Italian culture, including art, music, comparative literature, history, economics, government, or in any other academic discipline.
BENJAMIN F. ROMAINE PRIZE FUND
(1922) Gift of Benjamin F. Romaine to provide an annual prize for proficiency in Greek language and literature.
ERNEST STADLER PRIZE FOR THE EXCELLENCE IN THE STUDY OF CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY
(2006) Established by Dr. Richard A. Brooks, CC‘53, and Dr. Eva Stadler Brooks, BC‘53, in memory of Dr. Stadler Brooks' father, Ernest Stadler, who had a life-long commitment to the study of classical antiquity. This prize may be awarded annually to a graduating senior of Columbia College who is judged by the faculty to have demonstrated academic excellence through coursework and the writing of a senior essay on some aspect of the history or culture of the classical world.
Prizes in the Social Sciences
CHARLES A. BEARD PRIZE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
(1963) Established by the Honorable Albert Levitt, this prize is awarded to the student who writes the best paper in political science during the academic year.
CARL B. BOYER MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1978) Established by Mrs. Carl B. Boyer in memory of her husband, this prize is awarded annually to the Columbia undergraduate who writes the best essay on any topic in the history of science or mathematics as judged by a faculty committee.
SHANLEY & CHAMBERLAIN PRIZE
(2019) Annual award for best undergraduate essay in the areas of the American presidency, Congress, or public policy.
CHANLER HISTORICAL PRIZE
(1877) Established at the bequest of J. Winthrop Chanler, CC 1847, this prize is awarded to the senior who submits the best essay on a topic dealing with the history of civil government in America. The topic to be selected is done in conjunction with seminar work in one of the social science departments and approved by the chairperson of the Chanler Prize Committee.
TARAKNATH DAS FOUNDATION AWARD
(1957) Awarded annually to a student in Columbia College, the School of General Studies, or Barnard College for excellence in Asian studies, particularly in the history and culture of India.
ALBERT MARION ELSBERG PRIZE
(1912) Established by Mrs. Albert Elsberg in memory of her son, Albert Marion Elsberg, this prize is awarded to a student with sophomore, junior, or senior standing who has demonstrated excellence in modern history.
SANFORD S. PARKER PRIZE
(1980) Funded by the family and friends in memory of Sanford S. Parker, CC‘37, this prize is awarded to a Columbia College senior going on to graduate study in economics who shows promise of doing original work and has already demonstrated boldness of thought and a commitment to excellence, whose interests are wide, heart kind, and spirit generous.
CAROLINE PHELPS STOKES PRIZE
(1910) Established at the bequest of Caroline Phelps Stokes, this prize is awarded to a student who has been a degree candidate for at least one academic year at Columbia College or Barnard College, and who has written the best essay on any topic concerning the rights of man. The topic is to be selected in connection with course or seminar work and approved by the Stokes Prize Committee.
ALAN J. WILLEN MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1968) Established by classmates and friends of Alan J. Willen, CC‘64, in his memory, this prize is awarded to the Columbia College student who writes the best seminar paper on a contemporary American political problem. The selection is made jointly by representatives of the Departments of History and Political Science.
MYRA KRAFT PRIZE FOR SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN THE STUDY OF HUMAN RIGHTS
(2013) Established to honor the memory of Myra Kraft, beloved wife of Robert Kraft, CC‘63 and Trustee Emeritus, this prize is awarded to the Columbia College student majoring in Human Rights who has the highest grade point average and a superior record of academic achievement in Human Rights.
Prizes in the Natural and Physical Sciences
ALFRED MORITZ MICHAELIS PRIZE
(1926) Established by Mrs. Jeanette Michaelis in memory of her son, Alfred Moritz Michaelis, CC 1920, this prize is awarded to the member of the graduating class who has completed with the most proficiency the sequence of courses in physics that corresponds most nearly to the sequence given by the late Professor George V. Wendell.
PROFESSOR VAN AMRINGE MATHEMATICAL PRIZE
(1910) Established by George G. DeWitt, CC 1867, this prize is awarded to three College students (a first-year, a sophomore, and a junior) who are deemed most proficient in the mathematical subjects designated during the year of the award.
JOHN DASH VAN BUREN, JR. PRIZE IN MATHEMATICS
(1906) Established by Mrs. Louise T. Hoyt in memory of her nephew, John Dash Van Buren, Jr., CC 1905, this prize is awarded to the degree candidate who writes the best examination on subjects prescribed by the Department of Mathematics.
Prizes in the Creative and Performing Arts
SEYMOUR BRICK MEMORIAL PRIZE
(1969) Established by Mrs. Seymour Brick and her son, Richard, in honor of their husband and father, Seymour Brick, CC‘34, this prize is awarded to the Columbia College student who submits the best one-act or full-length play as judged by the Department of English and Comparative Literature.
KAREN OSNEY BROWNSTEIN WRITING PRIZE
(1991) Established by Neill H. Brownstein, CC‘66, in memory of Karen Osney Brownstein, this prize is awarded to a graduating senior in Columbia College who has written a single piece or a body of work so distinguished in its originality of concept and excellence of execution that it fairly demands the award, support, and recognition the prize intends.
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS PRIZE
(1902) Established by the late Samuel Putnam Avery, CC 1896, an associate of George William Curtis, this prize is awarded to students in the College for excellence in the public delivery of English orations.
ROBERT W. GOLDSBY FUND
(2019) Awarded to the Columbia College student who demonstrates excellence in the dramatic arts.
PHILOLEXIAN CENTENNIAL WASHINGTON PRIZE
(1902) Gift of J. Ackerman Coles, CC 1864. This prize is awarded once every four years to the student in the college who shall be deemed most worthy, upon delivery of an original address on a subject concerning public affairs.
PHILOLEXIAN PRIZE FUND
(1904) A gift of the Philolexian Society, the income from which shall be used for prizes in Columbia College for debating, essays, short stories, and poetry.
AUSTIN E. QUIGLEY PRIZE
(2010) The Austin E. Quigley prize for outstanding artistic and intellectual achievement may be awarded to a Columbia College senior majoring in Drama and Theatre Arts. Named in honor of Columbia College's dean from 1995-2009, the prize is funded by Nobel Laureate Richard Axel, CC '67 and University Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics.
THE LOUIS SUDLER PRIZE IN THE ARTS
(1983) Awarded annually to a senior who, in the opinion of the Faculty, has demonstrated excellence of the highest standards of proficiency in performance or execution or in the field of composition in one of the following general areas of performing and creative arts: music, theatre, painting, sculpture, design, architecture, film or dance.
VAN RENSSELAER PRIZE
(1926) Gift of Maximilian Foster, this prize is awarded to the candidate for a degree in Columbia University who is the author of the best example of English lyric verse.
GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY PRIZE
(1935) Established by the Woodberry Society of New York, this prize is awarded every second year to an undergraduate student in Columbia University for the best original poem.
Department Prizes
African American and African Diaspora Studies
ELLA BAKER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
RALPH JOHNSON BUNCHE AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
Art History and Archaeology
SENIOR THESIS PRIZE IN ART HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Biological Sciences
THE BRIDGES AND STURTEVANT PRIZE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CHARLES A. HUEBSCHMANN PRIZE
Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race
CSER AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
CSER AWARD FOR BEST THESIS
Chemistry
BRIAN BENT AWARD
RICHARD BERSOHN PRIZE
THOMAS J. KATZ PRIZE
Comparative Literature and Society
CATHERINE MEDALIA JOHANNET MEMORIAL PRIZE IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE AND SOCIETY
Computer Science
THEODORE R. BASHKOW AWARD
COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AWARD
JONATHAN L. GROSS AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
ANDREW P. KOSORESOW MEMORIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND SERVICE
RUSSELL C. MILLS AWARD
Creative Writing
ELLIS AVERY PRIZE FOR CREATIVE WRITING
Drama and Theatre Arts
DASHA AMSTERDAM EPSTEIN AWARD IN PLAYWRITING
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION AWARD IN THEATRE
Earth and Environmental Sciences
WALTER PITMAN SENIOR THESIS AWARD
Economics
ROMINE PRIZE
English and Comparative Literature
ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS POETRY PRIZE
CHARLES PATERNO BARRATT-BROWN MEMORIAL PRIZE
ARTHUR E. FORD POETRY PRIZE
JOHN VINCENT HICKEY PRIZE
Film and Media Studies
PAT ANDERSON PRIZE IN FILM REVIEWING
GUY GALLO MEMORIAL AWARD IN SCREENWRITING
ANDREW SARRIS MEMORIAL AWARD FOR FILM CRITICISM
French and Romance Philology
PROMISE IN FRENCH STUDIES
SENIOR FRENCH PRIZE
History
CHARLES A. BEARD PRIZE IN HISTORY
FACULTY SPECIAL PRIZE
LILY PRIZE IN HISTORY
GARRETT MATTINGLY PRIZE
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PRIZE
Latin American and Iberian Cultures
SUSAN HUNTINGTON VERNON PRIZE
Music
CHARLES S. MILLER AWARD
DOUGLAS MOORE PRIZE
BORIS AND EDNA RAPPOPORT PRIZE
Philosophy
DAVID H. SIFF PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AWARD
Political Science
THE PHYLLIS STEVENS SHARP FELLOWSHIP IN AMERICAN POLITICS
Religion
PETER AWN UNDERGRADUATE PAPER PRIZE
Slavic Languages
THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF RUSSIAN SCHOLAR LAUREATE AWARD
ROBERT A. MAGUIRE PRIZE IN SLAVIC STUDIES
PUSHKIN POETRY PRIZE
Sociology
GRANT SQUIRES PRIZE IN SOCIOLOGY
Sustainable Development
STUART GAFFIN AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
FEMINIST TO THE CORE ESSAY PRIZE
QUEER STUDIES AWARD
WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES ESSAY PRIZE
Fellowships for Graduate Study
HARRY J. CARMAN FELLOWSHIP
(1949) Established by friends and former students of Harry J. Carman GS 1919, former dean of Columbia College, this fellowship is awarded annually to a Columbia College senior who exhibits intellectual promise for advanced study.
JARVIS AND CONSTANCE DOCTOROW FELLOWSHIP
(2005) Established by the Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Foundation, this fellowship is awarded annually to a Columbia College senior for one year of study at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University.
HENRY EVANS TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP
(1928) Established by Mrs. Henry Evans in memory of her husband, Henry Evans CC 1881, this fellowship is awarded annually to graduating seniors at Columbia College who are planning to undertake a research project of a creative nature that requires travel rather than formal graduate study.
HOLTHUSEN-SCHINDLER ENDOWMENT FUND
(2000) Established through a bequest from the estate of Lenore S. Holthusen GS’51, the widow of Hen Holthusen CC 1915, LAW 1917, this scholarship is awarded to graduates of Columbia College who continue their education at Columbia Law School.
EURETTA J. KELLETT FELLOWSHIPS
(1932) Established through a bequest from the estate of Euretta Jane Schlegel, this fellowship is awarded to Columbia College seniors who have shown exceptional proficiency in the study of liberal arts for one or two consecutive years of study at Oxford University or Cambridge University.
Special Undergraduate Fellowships
BEESEN GLOBAL EXPERIENCE TRAVEL FELLOWSHIPS
(2015) Established by Charles F. Beesen LS’58, this fellowship is awarded annually to undergraduate students of Columbia College and Barnard who are not native speakers of French for summer study abroad in Paris.
THE CLASS OF 1939 SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
(1989) Established by the Class of 1939 in honor of the 50th anniversary of their graduation, this fellowship grants students the opportunity to pursue their intellectual goals, gain valuable research experience, and cultivate stronger relationships with faculty members.
THE COMER UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP IN CLIMATE SCIENCES
(2023) This fellowship supports undergraduate students participating in summer research projects related to sustainability and climate. First-generation, low-income and/or underrepresented students are particularly encouraged to apply. The fellowship seeks to create meaningful new research opportunities, with the ultimate goal of encouraging a more diverse community of students who seek to pursue graduate study or professional engagement in climate related fields.
HERBERT DERESIEWICZ SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
(2011) Established by Robert Leslie Deresiewicz CC’79, P: CC’13, CC’16, in memory of his father Herbert Deresiewicz SEAS’48, SEAS’52, P: CC’79, CC’85, BC’78, GSAS’90, GSAS’93, GSAS’98, JRN’87, PT’79, a long time SEAS faculty member and department chairman who held a deep and abiding love for undergraduate teaching. This fellowship is awarded to a Columbia College or SEAS student for full-time laboratory research on the Morningside Heights campus in biological sciences, biomedical engineering, chemistry or chemical engineering.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FELLOWSHIP FUND
(2019) Established by an anonymous donor, this fellowship is awarded to Columbia College juniors majoring in political science proposing summer research focusing on international relations, human rights, or regional studies.
SOLOMON AND SEYMOUR FISHER CIVIL LIBERTIES FELLOWSHIP
(1989) Established by Solomon Fisher, CC’36, LAW’38, P: CC’62, GSAS’68 and Seymour Fisher, CC’45, this fellowship is awarded annually to a Columbia College student for work during the summer at the Legal Department of the American Civil Liberties Union National Office in New York City.
KLUGE FELLOWS SUMMER RESEARCH GRANT
(1988) Established by John Kluge, CC’37, P: CC’05 this fellowship. Administered by the Columbia University Scholars Program (CUSP) Summer Enhancement Fellowships, grants are awarded competitively to students from underrepresented groups for independent research projects during the summer under the sponsorship of a faculty member. The application process includes a series of seminars and workshops.
RICHARD LEWIS KOHN TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP
(1959) Established in memory of Richard Lewis Kohn CC’60 from gifts of various donors, this fellowship is awarded annually to a Columbia College student for study during the junior year in Great Britain.
MYRA KRAFT PRIZE FOR EXCEPTIONAL PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY
(2013) Established by Robert Kraft CC’63, P: CC’94, in memory of his wife Myra Kraft P: CC’94, this prize is awarded to the rising Columbia College senior majoring in human rights for a summer or one-term human rights internship.
MELLON MAYS UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
(1996) Awarded in the spring semester of the sophomore year to undergraduates who wish to pursue a Ph.D., whose research interests display a commitment to diversifying humanistic fields of study, and whose intellectual and social commitments embody those of the late Dr. Benjamin Mays. The fellowship supports a two-year academic enhancement program funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
NOBUHISA AND MARCIA ISHIZUKA GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP IN EAST ASIAN STUDIES
(2015) Established by Nobuhisa Ishizuka CC’82, LAW’86 this fellowship is awarded annually to a Columbia College student for an international experience studying Japanese language and culture.
PRESIDENTIAL GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP
(2014) Established by Lee C. Bollinger, Columbia University's 19th president, the fellowship is awarded to first-year undergraduates (CC, SEAS, GS) for participation in global engagement opportunities.
SANFORD S. PARKER PRIZE SUMMER FELLOWSHIPS
(1980) Funded by the family and friends of Sanford S. Parker CC’37, this prize is awarded to Columbia College juniors who aspire to conduct summer research projects. Recipients will show promise of doing original work, and demonstrate boldness of thought and a commitment to excellence.
RICHARD AND BROOKE KAMIN RAPAPORT SUMMER MUSIC PERFORMANCE FELLOWSHIP
(1993) Established by Brooke Kamin Rapaport and Richard A. Rapaport CC’69, P: CC’22, this music fellowship is awarded to Columbia College students who are particularly gifted in musical performance, composition or conducting.
ARTHUR ROSE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP
(1958) Established by Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Rose in memory of their son, Arthur Rose. This fellowship is awarded to a senior in Columbia College whose work supports the faculty in one of the departments that contribute to the courses in Contemporary Civilization and the Humanities.
THE PHYLLIS STEVENS SHARP FELLOWSHIP IN AMERICAN POLITICS
(2005) Established by John Stevens Sharp CC’79, GSAS’80, GSAS’82, this fellowship is awarded to Columbia College students majoring in political science for research in American politics or policy making or uncompensated internships in a government office, agency, or other organization serving the public.
SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Awarded to undergraduate students for hands-on biology related laboratory research on either the Morningside campus or in the biomedical labs at Columbia’s Health Sciences. The fellowship provides for one summer of full time research.
RICHMOND B. WILLIAMS TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP
(1988) Established through a bequest from the estate of Richmond B. Williams CC’1925, JRN’1925, this fellowship is awarded to Columbia College juniors majoring in English for a summer research project requiring foreign travel.
YATRAKIS SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
(2019) Established in honor of Kathryn B. Yatrakis GSAS’76, GSAS’81, P: CC’94, CC’96, CC’05 by her family, this fellowship is awarded to Columbia College students for summer research in urban studies.
Special Endowments
CLASS OF 1954 URBAN NEW YORK PROGRAM ENDOWMENT
(1981) Established by the Class of 1954, this fund enables students and faculty to jointly experience cultural events through the Urban New York Program.
ARNOLD I. KISCH, M.D., AND VICTORIA L. J. DAUBERT, PH.D FUND FOR STUDENTS TO EXPERIENCE OPERA IN N.Y.C.
(1993) Created for students to experience opera in New York City within the Urban New York Program.
VALENTINI ENDOWMENT FUND FOR THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE JOURNEY
(2021) Established in honor of James J. Valentini’s tenure as dean of Columbia College, this fund provides support for students pursuing experiences beyond the classroom, including unpaid or low-paid internships, research opportunities with Columbia faculty or faculty at other institutions, community engagement opportunities and summer study abroad.
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