2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog

Awards and Academic Honor Societies



Awards Program

College Awards

Academic Consultant of the Year Award: Presented to the outstanding Academic Consultant for their exceptional work and contributions to the Center for Academic Success and Excellence (CASE). CASE - The Center for Academic Success and Excellence opened its doors to students September 4, 2019, and provides peer-to-peer academic mentorship to students in disciplines across the sciences, humanities, and business divisions of Millsaps College.

Alpha Epsilon Delta Award: Presented to an outstanding senior majoring in the pre-health field.

Bishop’s Medal: Presented to the outstanding senior entering seminary who plans to pursue the pastoral ministry of the United Methodist Church.

Dora Lynch Hanley Award for Distinguished Writing: Awarded annually to honor excellence in writing.

Founders’ Medal: Awarded at Commencement to the senior who has the highest grade point average for the entire college course of study at Millsaps College, and who has received a grade of Excellent on the comprehensive examinations. To be eligible for the award, students must have begun their course of study as a freshman at Millsaps College and completed the majority of the work required for the degree at Millsaps College; while credit by examination is permitted, only students with a maximum of eight earned hours (applying toward graduation requirements) of transfer credit from another domestic institution may be eligible.

Frank and Rachel Ann Laney Award: Given each spring for the best reflective paper written during the academic year, the award is intended to encourage students to reflect on the value of their education in the liberal arts.

Janet Lynne Sims Award: A medal and stipend presented to a rising senior who is a full-time student in pre-med and has completed five semesters of work. Selection is made on the basis of academic excellence.

Lewis and Reiff Awards: Presented annually to up to four seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to the life of the mind and the life of the spirit, with contributions to college, church, and community.

Omicron Delta Kappa Awards: Recognizes Outstanding Freshman Man and Woman of the Year and the W. Charles Sallis Leader of the Year.

Outstanding Student Religious Life Leader: Presented to the student leader who, while engaging in the programming and services of religious life at Millsaps, has displayed the deportment of a religious life role model for the student body.

Reverend Ed King Leader of Values and Ethics (L.O.V.E.) Award:  Presented each spring to a student who best exemplifies principled leadership  for a cause of deep moral consequence that may meet with opposition but proves over time to be just.

Thomas G. Ross Scholarship: Presented by the faculty to the outstand­ing senior pre-medical student.

Velma Jernigan Rodgers Scholarship Award: Presented to the rising senior woman student who has the highest grade point average in the humanities.

William H. Tribette Scholarship: Awarded to the member of the sophomore or junior class whose quality index is highest for the year.

Division of Arts and Humanities Awards

Academic Achievement in Theatre Award: Presented to the senior theatre major with the most distinguished academic achievement.

Albert Godfrey Sanders Award in French: Presented to the outstanding student in French language and literature.

Albert Godfrey Sanders Award in Spanish: Presented to the outstanding student in Spanish language and literature.

Art History Paper Award: Presented to the student who wrote the most outstanding art history paper during the previous academic year.

Best Philosophical Writing Award: Presented to a student who has shown excellence in philosophy.

CAMWS Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in Classical Studies: Presented to the student who excels in an interdisciplinary classic curriculum.

Clark Essay Award: Awarded to the senior English major who presents the best and most original paper in an English course.

Communication Studies Award: Presented to a graduating senior for significant achievement in the field of communications studies.

Excellence in Art History Award: Presented to the outstanding art history major who has demonstrated excellent achievement as well as potential for growth in the field.

Excellence in Religious Studies Award: Presented to a senior religious studies major with an especially distinguished record of academic work and departmental leadership.

Frank M. Laney Jr. Award: Presented to a senior history major who has had an outstanding record in history and plans to pursue a graduate education in history.

Henry and Katherine Bellamann Awards: Presented to graduating seniors who have shown particular distinction in one of the creative or performing arts.

Jim Lucas Award: Presented for exceptional talent and the desire to pursue a career in technical theatre.

Latin American Studies Award: Presented to a graduating senior for significant achievement in the field of Latin American Studies.

Magnolia Coullet Senior Classics Award: Presented to the senior who has best demonstrated excellence in and love for the classics.

Mu Phi Epsilon Senior Achievement Award: Presented to an outstanding senior member for excellence in scholarship and leadership, as well as for participation in fraternity, school, and professional activities.

Outstanding Junior Studio Art Award: Presented to a junior art major for demonstrating excellent achievement as well as potential for continued growth in studio art at Millsaps.

Paul D. Hardin Senior English Award: Given annually to the outstanding senior major in English.

Pi Delta Phi Intermediate French Award: Presented to the outstanding student in intermediate French.

Religious Studies Paper Award: Presented for distinguished writing in religious studies.

Robert H. Padgett English Award: Given annually to the student with the most outstanding work on the English comprehensive exam.

Ross H. Moore History Award: Presented to the outstanding senior history major.

Senior Music Award: Presented to the senior music major who, in the opinion of the faculty, has been the most outstanding student in the Department of Music.

Senior Project in Theatre Award: Presented for outstanding work on the senior project.

Sigma Delta Pi Intermediate Spanish Award: Presented to the outstanding student in intermediate Spanish.

Swearingen Prize for Excellence in Classical Languages and Literature: Presented to the students with the highest scholastic averages in advanced Greek and Latin reading courses.

Swearingen Prize for Excellence in Introductory Greek: Presented to the student with the highest scholastic average in introductory Greek.

Swearingen Prize for Excellence in Introductory Latin: Presented to the student with the highest scholastic average in introductory Latin.

Swearingen Prize for Excellence in Second Year Latin: Presented to the students with the highest scholastic averages in Latin and Greek.

Sweat Summer Studies Awards: Presented for excellence in music  performance.

W. Charles Sallis History in Service Award: Presented to a senior history major who has exemplified the critical role historians play in advancing public conversations about complex issues.

William D. Rowell Memorial Award in Art: Presented to the senior demonstrating a commitment to and growth in studio art.

 

Division of Sciences Awards

ACS Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Award: Presented to the Senior Chemistry Major who has shown outstanding commitment to Organic Chemistry in classroom and/or research setting.

Best Overall Psychology Comprehensive Exam: Presented to the student with the most outstanding work on the Psychology comprehensive exam.

Biology Department Scholar Award: Recognizes an outstanding biology major as distinguished by GPA, performance on comprehensive exams, and dedication to research.

Biology Department Award for Service: Presented for outstanding service to the department of biology.

Biology Research Award: Recognizes a biology major who has won recognition in biology on the basis of interest, scholarship, and demon­stration of research potential.

Chemistry Department Senior Research Award: Presented each year to the outstanding senior chemistry major in the study of chemistry, research, and service to the department.

Chemistry Department Service Award: Awarded to the chemistry major who has demonstrated leadership and service among his fellow students.

Chi Omega Social Science Award: Presented to the outstanding female senior in the social sciences.

College Physics Award: Presented to the student with the highest scholastic average in college physics.

Congressman David Bowen Award for Applied Politics: Presented to the Government and Politics major or minor who best exemplifies the art of applying the academic study of politics with meaningful, direct practice.

Connie S. Schimmel Award: Presented to an outstanding student receiving supplemental licensure in special education for outstanding contributions and potential service to students with special needs.

Edward L. Shrader Award: Presented for outstanding achievement in environmental science. Ed Shrader initiated the environmental geology program at Millsaps in the early 1990’s while he served as department chair.

Frances H. Coker Award in Sociology: Given each year to the outstanding senior majoring in sociology.

Frances and L. B. Jones Award in Anthropology: Presented to the  outstanding anthropology major.

Freeman Scholarships for International Study in Sociology and  Anthropology: Presented to deserving students majoring in sociology and anthropology that might not otherwise have a chance to study abroad.

General Physics Awards: Presented to the two students with the highest scholastic averages in general physics.

Gordon Allport Award for the Application of Psychology: Presented for outstanding involvement in the application of psychological science to the public interest.

Iren Omo-Bare Memorial Award: Presented to the junior or senior student who has performed most capably in the field of International Politics through written and oral expression, critical thinking, and towards the betterment of humanity.

J. B. Price General Chemistry Award: Presented annually to the student with the highest scholastic average in general chemistry.

J. M. Whitfield Service Award: Awarded to the chemistry major who has demonstrated leadership and service among his/her fellow students.

Jennifer L. Sorrells Memorial Award: Awarded for outstanding achievement in geophysics.

John F. Kennedy Award: Presented to the outstanding senior in Gov­ernment and Politics demonstrating excellence in academics, personal integrity, and commitment to the highest ideals of the public good in a democratic society.

Junior Analytical Chemistry Award: Awarded to the most outstanding junior enrolled in analytical chemistry.

Marlys T. Vaughn Excellence in Elementary and Secondary Student Teaching Awards: Given to the seniors who demonstrate potential for outstanding contributions in teaching at the elementary and secondary school level.

Mary Sue Enochs Lewis Endowed Scholarship: Presented to a woman in the junior class who has demonstrated academic excellence and leadership and who plans to teach upon graduation.

Mary Whiton Calkins Award for Outstanding Research in Psychology: Presented for excellence in psychological research.

Noam Chomsky Psychology Award: Presented to the psychology student who excels beyond the classroom and demonstrates a true enthusiasm for the field, as well as a desire to pursue a career in which the study of psychology will be applied.

Outstanding Scholarship in Education Award: Given to the senior receiving teacher certification with the highest scholastic average.

Physics Service Award: Presented to a physics student in recognition of service to the Department of Physics.

Reid and Cynthia Bingham Awards: Presented to the junior and senior scholars of distinction in government and politics.

Richard R. Priddy Award: Presented to a senior geosciences major with an outstanding record of scholarship, research, and service.

Robert A. Shive, Jr. Freshman Mathematics Award: Presented to the outstanding freshman in mathematics.

Samuel Kernell Award for Outstanding Research in Government and Politics: Presented to the student who has best demonstrated excel­lence in the area of government and politics research, having produced a research project that illuminates the study of government and politics in a way that is practical and meaningful to the field as well as those who practice the art of politics.

Samuel R. Knox Senior Mathematics Award: Presented to the outstanding senior mathematics major.

Santiago Ramon y Cajal Research Award: Presented annually to the outstanding neuroscience and cognitive studies major or minor for excellence in research.

Tri Beta Award: Recognizes an outstanding member of the chapter who has demonstrated scholastic excellence and service in the field of biology.

W. A. Tarr Award: Presented to a geosciences major most reflecting the ideals of scholarly excellence and professional integrity.

Wendell B. Johnson Award: Presented to a junior geosciences major with an outstanding record of scholarship, research, and service.

William James Award for Academic Excellence: Presented to the  outstanding graduating senior(s) majoring in psychology.

ELSE School of Management Awards

Business Administration Faculty Excellence Award: Presented to the business administration senior who scores highest on the nationally normed field exam.

Business Administration Comprehensive Exam Award: Presented to the business administration senior who scored highest on the comprehensive exam.

CFA Society of Mississippi Award for Excellence in Finance: Presented to the outstanding undergraduate or graduate student for excellence in financial analysis.

Charles Sewell Award: Presented to the most outstanding M.B.A. student.

Charles W. and Eloise T. Else Scholars: Presented to seniors in the Else School of Management who have distinguished themselves academically in their overall College work and in required junior-level course work.

Else School of Management Service Award: For outstanding service to the Else School in the area of entrepreneurship.

Enactus Service Award: Presented to an outstanding student for leadership and service to the Enactus chapter at Millsaps.

Entrepreneurship Service Award: Presented for outstanding work and contribution to ELSE- Works, the Entrepreneurship Initiative of the Else School of Management.

Howard McMillan Award: Presented to an outstanding Else School undergraduate whose contributions to the Else School embody the diverse qualities displayed by Howard McMillan’s numerous leadership roles throughout his career in corporate and community endeavors.

Merrill Lynch Award: Presented to the student who has demonstrated high achievement in the area of finance.

Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants Outstanding Senior Award: Presented to a senior accounting major who has compiled an outstanding record.

Richard B. Baltz Award: Presented to the outstanding student majoring in economics.

Division of Student Life Awards

“Ad Excellentiam” Award: Presented to the undergraduate student who has contributed most to the Millsaps student body to fulfill the College’s motto “Toward Excellence.”

Ars Ducendi Emerito (translated “the art of leadership through service”): Presented to a transfer student who is now a graduating senior and has demonstrated a superior level of leadership and service benefiting the Millsaps Community.

Cooper Residence Life Student Staff Member of the Year Award: Presented to one graduating senior who was the year’s most distinguished Resident Assistant.

Darby K. Ray Souls Afire Honors: Presented each spring to the four students who best exemplify community service, activism, and the College ethics of giving to others.

Don Fortenberry Award: The Don Fortenberry Award is presented each year to a graduating senior who is considered to have performed the most notable, meritorious, diligent, and devoted service to Millsaps College with no expectation of public recognition, reward, or remembrance.

Hall of Fame: Awarded to four graduating seniors in recognition of overall excellence in scholarship; leadership; participation in activities, organizations, and campus life; service to the Millsaps student body, College community, and/or local  community; and other notable achievements.

Most Distinguished Man and Woman Awards: Presented by campus-wide vote to the graduating students who are esteemed as the two most outstanding members of the senior class.

The Rev. Ed King Leader of Values and Ethics (L.O.V.E.) Award: Named in homage to the national civil rights icon, this title is only given in those years in which a recipient is worthy of advocating for a moral principle or cause that may encounter public criticism or opposition but over time may prove to be true.

Sherryl Wilburn Award: Presented to one or two students who have contributed to the celebration of campus diversity, inclusion, and equality.

Who’s Who of Millsaps College: Presented to up to 25 of the most well-rounded graduating seniors of the year. Must hold a cumulative GPA of 2.50 

The Paul Benton and Carla Webb Awards: Presented to the senior male and female athletes, respectively, for their exceptional results while performing their sports.

The Archie Lamb Awards for Sportsmanship: Presented to a senior male and senior female athlete who best personify the attributes of good char­acter, disposition, behaviors, and statements in com- petition and in life.

 

Academic Honor Societies

Alpha Epsilon Delta is an honorary pre-health fraternity. Leadership, scholarship, expertise, character, and personality are the qualities by which students are judged for membership. The organization seeks to bridge the gap between pre-medical and medical studies.

Alpha Kappa Delta, an international sociology honorary, promotes the use of the sociological imagination in understanding and serving human beings. The Gamma of Mississippi chapter, founded in 1984, is a joint chapter with Tougaloo College.

Alpha Psi Omega, a national honorary dramatics fraternity, recognizes members of the Millsaps Players for their effective participation in acting, directing, makeup, stage management, costuming, lighting, and publicity.

Beta Alpha Psi encourages and recognizes scholastic and professional excellence in accounting.

Beta Beta Beta, established at Millsaps in 1968, is a national honor fraternity for students in the biological sciences. Its purpose is to stimulate sound scholarship, promote the dissemination of scientific truth, and encourage investigation of the life sciences.

Beta Gamma Sigma is a national honor society dedicated to the prin­ciples and ideals essential to a worthy life, as well as to a commendable business career. Membership is the highest scholastic honor that a student in a school of business or management can achieve.

Eta Sigma Phi is a national honor fraternity recognizing ability in Greek and Roman studies. Alpha Phi, the Millsaps chapter, was founded in 1935.

Financial Management Association National Honor Society, established in 1984 on the Millsaps campus, encourages and rewards scholarship and accomplishment in financial management, financial institutions, and investments among undergraduate and graduate students and encourages interaction between business executives, faculty, and students of finance.

Kappa Delta Pi, the education honorary at Millsaps, is a service-based organization. The mission is to spread the message of the importance of education and for students to gain personal teaching experiences through service projects.

Kappa Pi is an international honorary art fraternity established in 1911.

Mu Phi Epsilon promotes scholarship and musicianship among its members, promotes service and friendship on campus and in the community, and rewards excellence in music.

Nu Rho Psi is an honorary organization for neuroscience students.

Omicron Delta Epsilon is the international economics honorary society. It is dedicated to the encouragement of excellence in economics, with a main objective of recognizing scholastic attainment in economics. The Delta chapter of Mississippi was formed at Millsaps in 1981.

Omicron Delta Kappa is a leadership society with chapters in principal colleges and universities. Pi Circle at Millsaps brings together members of the student body, faculty, and administration interested in campus activities, with a limited number of alumni, to plan for the betterment of the College.

Order of Omega is a national leadership society that recognizes student achievement in promoting inter-Greek activities. The Millsaps chapter, Eta Kappa, was founded in 1986.

Phi Alpha Theta, founded in 1921, is an international honor society in history. Membership is composed of students and professors, elected on the basis of excellence in the study and writing of history. It encourages the study, teaching, and writing of history among all its members.

Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society, was installed at Millsaps in the spring of 1989. It recognizes and encourages excellence in the liberal arts. The Millsaps chapter, Alpha of Mississippi, elects members from the senior class on the basis of broad cultural interests, scholarly achievement, and good character.

Phi Delta Kappa is an international association for professional educators.

Phi Eta Sigma is a national honorary society that recognizes outstanding academic achievement among freshmen. The Millsaps chapter was estab­lished in 1981. Membership is open to all full-time freshmen who achieve a grade point average of 3.500 in either the first semester or both semesters of the freshman year.

Phi Sigma Tau is a national philosophy honorary.

Pi Delta Phi, the national French honor society, was established at Mill­saps in 1957. This honor society recognizes attainment and scholarship in the study of the French language and literature.

Pi Mu Epsilon is a national mathematics honorary.

Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political science honor society for college and university students of government in the United States. It seeks to stimulate productive scholarship and intelligent interest in the subject of government among students.

Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology.

Sigma Delta Pi, the international Spanish honorary, was established at Millsaps in 1968. This honor society recognizes attainment and scholarship in the study of the Spanish language and literature.

Sigma Gamma Epsilon is a national geology honor society. Established in 1993, the organization recognizes achievement in geological sciences.

Sigma Lambda is a leadership and service honorary society whose members are primarily sophomores selected on the basis of character, scholarship, and involvement in College and community activities.

Sigma Pi Sigma, a national honor society in physics, was established at Millsaps in 1988. Its purpose is to honor excellence in physics.

Sigma Tau Delta is the national English honor society. The purposes of the society are to confer distinction for achievement in the English language and literature, promote interest in literature and the English language, and foster the discipline of English in all its aspects, including creative and critical writing. The Zeta Sigma chapter was chartered at Millsaps in 1983.

Theta Alpha Kappa is the national honor society for religious studies and theology majors.