In an effort to highlight the
individual and collective accomplishments of African, African Caribbean, and
African American students at Dartmouth College, Reverend Gwendolyn King, then
the College Chaplain, suggested the creation of a yearly awards program during
the 1984-85 academic year. Members of the Dartmouth Black Caucus and
Afro-American Society endorsed the idea, which became a part of ongoing
discussions about encouraging and supporting the pursuit of excellence within
the Black community at Dartmouth.
The need for an honors celebration took on greater urgency the following year as a result of campus struggles to secure Dartmouth’s financial divestment from South Africa. On the night of the College’s observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday in 1986, a group of Dartmouth students destroyed the shanties that had been constructed on the Green as a symbol of the solidarity many in the Dartmouth community felt for those suffering under apartheid in South Africa.
That event triggered months of student protests featuring rallies, forums, and building take-overs, as well as a classroom moratorium, during which a special, College-wide discussion on tolerance and community was held.
In the
aftermath of those struggles, the need for collective healing and commemoration
resulted in the Black Awards program. Along with Chaplain King, Associate Dean
Gregory Ricks, Afro-American Society President Joseph Leake ’86, and other
members of the Society, the Black Caucus realized the dream, and inaugurated
this annual celebration of who we are and what we achieve. On May 24, 2008 we
mark the 23rd anniversary of this worthy tradition, which honors the very best
in our community and ourselves.
Submit via email or Hinman Box to:
Samantha M. Ivery
Hinman 6217
Samantha.M.Ivery@dartmouth.edu
***Click here to download nomination form***
(Nominations are accepted from all members of the Dartmouth community,
including self-nominations.)
Eligible: Any undergraduate student
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Eligible: Any undergraduate student (one per class for a total of 4 awards)
Nominees from each class will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Eligible: All graduating members of the senior class (Will be confirmed with Dean's Office)
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
NOTE: Edward Mitchell was a member of the Class of 1828 and the
first Black graduate of Dartmouth College.
Eligible: All graduating members of the senior class (Will be confirmed
by the Dean's Office)
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Eligible: Any undergraduate female student
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Eligible: Any undergraduate male student
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Eligible: Any undergraduate student involved in theater, music, dance, etc.
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Eligible: Any undergraduate student involved in painting, photography, sculpture, film, poetry, literature, etc.
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Eligible: All College employees (faculty, staff, administrators)
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois Awards for Academic Excellence
The W.E.B. DuBois awards are engraved tokens, honoring William E. B. DuBois,
scholar, author, orator, educator, and activist.
Award Recipients: This award is presented to the junior,
sophomore and first year students of African descent who have achieved the
highest cumulative grade point average in their respective class.
Aimé Césaire Award for Academic Excellence in the
Humanities
This book award in honor of Aimé Césaire, a Martinique poet, playwright,
educator and co-founder of negritude, an influential literary and political
movement is presented to the graduating student of African descent who
completed a major in the humanities and has demonstrated the highest academic
excellence in those courses.
Award Recipient: Given to the humanities major with the highest GPA in his
or her respective major. Based on GPA minimum of 3.33.
Zora Neale Hurston Award for Academic Excellence in the Social
Sciences
This book award in honor of Zora Neale Hurston, a leading African American
novelist, folklorist and anthropologist is presented to the graduating student
of African descent who majored in a social science and who demonstrated the
highest academic excellence in those courses.
Award Recipient: Given to the social sciences major with the highest GPA in
his or her respective major. Based on GPA minimum of 3.33.
Dr. Ernest Everett Just Award for Academic Excellence in Mathematics
and Sciences
This book award is named in honor of Dr. Ernest Everett Just, 1907 African
American graduate of Dartmouth College. A marine biologist, zoologist and
educator; Just was author of more than 90 articles and books and the recipient
of numerous international fellowships. This award is presented to the
graduating senior of African descent who has demonstrated the highest academic
excellence in a mathematics, technology or sciences major.
Award Recipient: Given to the mathematics, technology, or science major
with the highest GPA in his or her respective major. Based on GPA minimum
of 3.33.
Paul Robeson Award for Academic Excellence in Interdisciplinary
Studies
This book award is named in honor of Paul Robeson, son of an escaped slave,
superlative athlete, scholar, lawyer, world-acclaimed singer and actor, and
activist for social justice. This award is presented to the graduating
student who has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence in the
completion of a special or interdisciplinary major, a double major in two
divisions, or senior fellowship.
Award Recipient: Given to the student who completed a special or
interdisciplinary major, a double major in two divisions, or senior fellowship
with the highest GPA in his or her respective major. Based on GPA minimum
of 3.33.
Academic Honor Awards for GPA 3.5 -4.00
Award Recipients: A certificate is given to all students who have achieved
high academic excellence as demonstrated by their cumulative GPA.
