Knox College

Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership, and service. The organization provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to colleges and universities and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community. Several Knox College students were accepted as members at the end of the 2019-20 academic year.

A student received an academic award from Knox College's American Studies Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Hermann R. Muelder Award is given to the graduating senior doing the most outstanding work in anthropology and sociology. It was established by an anonymous donor in memory of J. Howell Atwood, professor of sociology 1930-60, and subsequently endowed by a gift from Mrs. Atwood.

Two students received academic awards from Knox's Computer Science Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Baker-Velde Student Research Fund is awarded to a junior or senior pursuing independent academic research in the disciplines of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience, environmental science, and mathematics. It was established by William H. Baker, class of 1958, and Ann Velde Baker, class of 1960, in honor of their fathers, William Jesse Baker, M.D., class of 1917, and Richard William Velde, class of 1929. Paul's Prize in Computer Science is awarded annually to a senior showing great potential for a distinguished career in computing or computer science. The recipient need not be a computer science major but must have exhibited problem-solving skills and an enthusiastic interest in computer science. It was established by Cecile Smith, a longtime employee of Knox, in honor of her brother, Paul H. Smith 1927-97.

Two students received academic awards from Knox's Biology Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Inn-Siang Ooi Prize is awarded to the Knox student who has demonstrated skill in field biology, a commitment to conservation, and a concern about human co-existence with the other species of this planet. The Alvah Peterson Biology Prize is awarded to a junior or senior student majoring in biology who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance in biology courses and/or research.

Five Knox students received a competitive Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship during the 2017-18 academic year. The Gilman scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, helps offset the costs of international education. According to the Gilman Foundation, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate strong academic ability, financial need, and a passion for their chosen program.

Two Knox students were selected for the Faculty Scholarship Prize, which is the highest honor that Knox faculty members give to a student. It is awarded to seniors who have exhibited exceptional academic ability while participating significantly in extracurricular activities.

Alyssa Stetkevych received the Elbridge Pierce Prize, which is awarded to the senior who has made the greatest scholastic improvement since the end of the first year at Knox.

Thirty-eight Knox College students were welcomed into the nation's oldest and most prestigious honor society, Phi Beta Kappa.

Three recent Knox College graduates have been chosen as recipients of prestigious Fulbright awards for international research and teaching. Lindsay Smith '19, Eunice Shek '18, and Sofia Gillespie '18 are studying and teaching abroad through the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program. The program places recipients in primary and secondary schools or universities overseas to foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world.

Eleven Knox students in the Class of 2019 received College Honors credit for their Honors theses.

Knox College senior and philosophy major Francis Miyata received two highly competitive scholarships that will help fund his study abroad in Japan during the 2017-18 academic year.