Department prizes

Caroline M. Picard Prize in Politics

Established in 1985 by her family in memory of Caroline M. Picard, Class of 1986. It is awarded annually to the junior(s) in the Department of Politics who, in the judgment of the faculty, present(s) the most promising senior thesis project which needs summer thesis support.

Lyman H. Atwater Prize in Politics

Established by the Class of 1883 as a memorial to the Reverend Lyman H. Atwater, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Political Science, 1869-1883. It is awarded to the senior who has written the best thesis on a subject in political science.

New York Herald Prize in Politics

Established by James Gordon Bennett. It is awarded to the senior who has presented the best thesis on a subject of contemporaneous interest in the domestic or foreign policy of the United States government.

Philo Sherman Bennett Prize in Politics

Established by Philo Sherman Bennett of New Haven, Conn. It is awarded to the junior or senior who has written the best essay discussing the principles of free government.

The John G. Buchanan Prize in Politics

Established by John G. Buchanan, Class of 1909. It is awarded annually to the senior who has attained during junior and senior years the highest standing in the Department of Politics. In the event that more than one senior has attained the highest standing, the prize will be awarded to the individual who has the highest standing in Constitutional Interpretation.


Related Prizes

The Stephen Whelan ’68 Senior Thesis Prize

Awarded by The James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, for the best senior thesis on a topic relating to the study of public or constitutional law.