Alpha Lambda Delta Award
This award is given to the graduating Alpha Lambda Delta member who has the highest cumulative grade point average.
Anne Gary Pannell Taylor Award in History
Honoring the fifth president of the College, this award is presented to a senior history major who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average.
“Big Sister” Award
Donated by Sweet Briar alumnae who teach at Tye River Elementary School in Nelson County, this award is given to a member of the senior class who has shown a commitment to community service by contributing to the educational and emotional growth of the children at Tye River Elementary School. The recipient gives valuable time and makes a positive difference in the lives of these young people.
Connie M. Guion Award
This award is given to a member of the graduating class for her excellence as a human being and as a member of the College.
Economics Department Outstanding Senior Award
Awarded to a senior economics major at graduation.
Emilie Watts McVea Scholars
Each year the College recognizes academic achievement by conferring upon the highest-ranking members of each class the honorary title of Emilie Watts McVea Scholar, a designation which bears the name of the second president of Sweet Briar College.
Engineering Outreach Award
This award is given to an engineering student who, through service to the engineering program and/or the local community, has demonstrated significant leadership in and enthusiasm for encouraging young women in engineering.
Excellence in Engineering Award
This award is given to a graduating engineering science major who has demonstrated high achievement in engineering courses and conducted herself in a professional and positive manner.
Excellence in Studio Art Award
Awarded to a senior studio art major at graduation.
George H. Lenz Excellence in Physics Award
Given to a senior physics major or minor who has shown dedication and success in the pursuit of learning physics. The winner of this award excels both in theoretical and experimental physics and exemplifies Professor Lenz’s excitement for understanding physics. The naming of this award honors Professor Lenz’s significant contributions to the physics department, where he taught from 1970 to 2004.
Gill Scholarship
Funded by Betty Byrne Gill Ware ’55 in honor of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Elbyrne Grady Gill, this award is presented to a rising junior or senior for their achievements in the environmental sciences or studies program and their interest in protecting the environment.
Helen K. Mull Graduate Fellowship in Psychology
Established in memory of Helen K. Mull, former professor of psychology, and awarded to a senior Psychology major who will be enrolling in a graduate or doctoral program.
Helen McClure Gager Award in Chemistry
Established by the husband, family and friends of Helen Gager, associate professor of chemistry, who taught at Sweet Briar from 1976 to 1980. The award recognizes a member of the Sweet Briar community — student, faculty or other — who has done distinguished work in the field of chemistry.
Irene Mitchell Moore Scholarship
Scholarship awarded to a junior or senior majoring in history, economics, or political science.
James Lewis Howe Award in Chemistry
Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Section of the American Chemical Society, this prize is awarded to a senior for excellence in chemistry. It is presented to the recipient in April at a meeting of the Blue Ridge Section of the American Chemical Society.
Jean Besselievre Boley Fund
Established by the parents and husband of Jean Besselievre Boley ’35 to encourage interest in creative writing. The fund provides a prize for the student submitting the best short story entered in the annual competition. It may also provide a grant-in-aid for a junior or senior with demonstrated ability in creative writing who requires financial assistance.
Jessica Steinbrenner Molloy Award
This award honors an outstanding senior in theatre arts, chosen by the faculty of that program.
John R. McClenon Award
Awarded to a senior chemistry major at graduation.
Judith Molinar Elkins Prize
Established by her family in honor of Judith Molinar Elkins, professor of mathematics. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of a senior majoring in the mathematical, physical or biological sciences, actively participating in the College community, and demonstrating the ideals and dedication to learning exemplified by the life of Professor Elkins.
Julia Sadler de Coligny Award
This award provides an annual prize to outstanding majors in music and English in alternate years.
Juliet Halliburton Davis Award
This award recognizes an outstanding major in environmental science or environmental studies for their academic achievement, leadership and service to the environmental science department.
Kathryn Haw Prize in Art History
Established by the art history program with support from Kathryn Haw ’92 in recognition of the quality of education she received. It is awarded to a graduating art history major who has demonstrated excellence by maintaining a grade point average of at least 3.5 in her major.
Kenmore Merit Scholarship
This scholarship is warded to a junior or senior who has maintained a 3.3 grade point average and who is recognized by the faculty of the government program for academic excellence.
Laura Buckham Book Award
Established by the friends of the late Laura Buckham, professor of French at Sweet Briar for 32 years, this award is presented to a rising junior who is a French major in recognition of excellence in French.
Loren Oliver Award in Studio Art
Awarded to an outstanding studio art major at Founders’ Day Convocation.
Magruder Excellence in Dance Award
Awarded to a senior dance major at graduation.
Mary Kendrick Benedict Award
Established in 1945 by former students, colleagues and other friends of Dr. Mary Kendrick Benedict, the first president of Sweet Briar College, this award honors an upperclass student of high academic standing and personal integrity who has shown a purpose for service in her college experience.
Mathematical Sciences Award
Awarded to a graduating mathematical sciences major who has demonstrated excellence by achieving at least a 3.3 GPA in mathematical courses and in one or more of the following ways: performance in the classroom, academic activities outside the classroom, service to the department, leadership on campus and service to the local community.
Nancy Godwin Baldwin ’57 Scholars
Awarded for the first time in 2015 in memory of Nancy Godwin Baldwin ’57 for her dedication and service to her alma mater for 54 years. The scholarship is awarded to students who have made major contributions to the school and community through their leadership and demonstration of academic excellence.
Nicole Greenleaf Service in Education Award
Named in honor of Nicole Clara Michelle Greenleaf, Class of 2003, this award honors a senior in the teacher education program who has demonstrated scholastic achievement and whose volunteer service in support of a struggling student in a local public school has been an inspiration to that student’s school community.
Outstanding Scholar in Education Award
This award is given in recognition to young women in Virginia colleges who have completed the teacher preparation programs in an exemplary fashion. It is awarded to advance the professional interest and position of women in education and to honor women who have given or who evidence potential for distinctive service in any field of education. The award is sponsored by Delta Kappa Gamma, a national honor sorority for leading women in education.
Penelope Land Czarra Award
Given to honor the senior who best exemplifies the combination of scholastic achievement, student leadership, and effective contributions to the improvement of the quality of student life at Sweet Briar.
Presidential Medal
Medal is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated exemplary intellectual achievement, in addition to distinction in some or all of the following areas: service to the community, contributions to the arts, enlargement of the College’s global perspective, athletic fitness and achievement, and leadership and contributions to community discourse.
Rebecca Tomlinson Lindblom Award
Established by the Rev. William L. Lindblom in honor of his wife, this award is given to a student or students who demonstrate academic excellence in philosophy and religion, as well as in the application of their principles to daily living.
Regatta Awards
The Regatta Awards are presented to students in the Introduction to Engineering class whose designs and performance in the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta are exemplary. The awards recognize the teams’ work in four categories: speed, buoyancy, design and overall excellence.
Sarah Porter Boehmler ’65 Scholarship
This award was established in 2006 to recognize a first-year student that exemplifies the qualities of leadership, character and integrity, as well as academic and extracurricular achievement balanced with participation in sports, dance or other health-related activities. This scholarship honors its namesake for her role as a mentor to young women and the first woman senior executive of the American Stock Exchange.
Shakespeare Prize
This prize is presented to the student who demonstrates excellence in any of the upper-level Shakespeare courses.
Sprague-Belcher Commencement Award in Biology
This award is given to a senior biology major who shows enthusiasm for, dedication to, and achievement in biological research, exploration and education. It is given in memory of long-time faculty members Elizabeth Sprague and Jane Belcher.
The Legacy Scholar
Established in 1974 by the board of the Alumnae Association to honor an alumna legacy student in either the junior or senior class who has demonstrated, while at Sweet Briar, the traditions of sound learning and social responsibility which have characterized the alumnae of the College since its founding.
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award
Given to outstanding Sweet Briar leaders for their scholastic ability, participation and leadership in academic and extra curricular activities, and community service.