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A Brief History

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. In May, 2010 we mark the 25th anniversary of this worthy tradition, which honors the very best in our community and ourselves.

DESCRIPTION OF BLACK AWARDS FOR NOMINATION

Fannie Lou Hamer Community Service Award

Eligible: Any undergraduate student.  Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Expressed commitment to civic engagement and social justice
• Demonstrated community service on a local level (i.e. Upper Valley community)
• Demonstrated community service outside of the Dartmouth community

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Awards

Eligible:  Any undergraduate student (one per class for a total of 4 awards).  Nominees from each class will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Proven leadership within the Black community
• Noted scholastic accomplishments in and outside of the classroom
• Expressed commitment to the Black community

Nguzo Saba Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Leadership and Service

Eligible: All graduating members of the senior class (Will be confirmed with Dean's Office),  Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Academic excellence (minimum GPA 3.333), honors thesis or senior fellowship
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the intersections of scholarship, civic engagement, and social justice
• Sustained active commitment throughout Dartmouth career within and to the benefit of the Black community at Dartmouth
• Established dedication to leadership and mentoring within the community of African descent and its organization
• Outstanding accomplishments in the arts, sports, service, or other co-and extracurricular activities
• Personal integrity and strong personal character

The Edward Mitchell Award

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:

• Academic success (minimum GPA 3.00)
• Outstanding contribution to the greater Dartmouth community in the creation of or creative implementation and/or maintenance of an established program or event
• Sustained active commitment throughout Dartmouth career within co-curricular organizations, activities and opportunities across the campus
• Personal integrity and strong personal character

Althea Gibson Award for Athletic Achievement

Eligible: Any undergraduate female student.  Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Team leadership
• Sportsmanship
• Performance (i.e., stats)

Jesse Owens Award for Athletic Achievement

Eligible: Any undergraduate male student.  Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Team leadership
• Sportsmanship
• Performance (i.e., stats)

Lorraine Hansberry and James Van Der Zee Awards for Performing Arts

Eligible: Any undergraduate student involved in theater, music, dance, etc.  Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Participation in performing arts
• Accomplishments
• Artistic creativity

Lorraine Hansberry and James Van Der Zee Awards for Fine Arts

Eligible: Any undergraduate student involved in painting, photography, sculpture, film, poetry, literature, etc.  Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Participation in fine arts
• Accomplishments
• Artistic creativity

Distinguished Service Award

Eligible: All College employees (faculty, staff, administrators).  Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated service to the Black community
• Demonstrated dedication to the Black community

DESCRIPTION OF BLACK AWARDS DETERMINED BY MERIT

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.