For the second straight spring, the pandemic has forced Prize Day to be a virtual affair.
On Saturday, May 8, at 11 a.m., the campus community will gather virtually to honor students for their achievements in academics, research, service and governance. A total of 116 prizes will be awarded.
Among the top awards bestowed are the Josephine Daggett Prize to the senior for conduct and character and the Frank Bailey (1885) Prize to the senior who has rendered the greatest service to the College in any field.
The ceremony will stream live on the College’s Facebook page. It is open to all.
Remarks will be given by President David R. Harris; Strom Thacker, the Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Fran’Cee Brown-McClure, vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students; and Matthew Toy ’21, president of Student Forum.
The ceremony will also feature two musical performances.
The first Prize Day was held on May 18, 1932. Complementing the annual Block U Dinner for athletic achievement, the new event honored 20 seniors for their intellectual accomplishments.
Prize Day is typically held in Memorial Chapel and coincides with the Steinmetz Symposium weekend, which highlights student research and creativity. The event features oral and poster presentations, engineering displays, dance, music and art exhibits.
The symposium, now in its 31st year, will also be mostly virtual for the second year in a row, beginning Friday, May 21.