Honor Societies

Phi Beta Kappa—This nation’s pre-eminent honor society recognizes outstanding achievement in the study of the liberal arts in the United States. The oldest of the American Greek-letter societies, Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary and now has 270 chapters at colleges and universities across the country. The Davidson College Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa received its charter as Gamma of North Carolina from the United Chapters (now the Phi Beta Kappa Society) on March 1, 1923. Since then, the local chapter has elected more than 2,200 students to membership-in-course. Seniors at Davidson who maintain an overall average of 3.6 or above on at least eighteen graded, countable courses are ordinarily considered for election, which is by ballot of faculty and staff of the local chapter. Election to membership, however, is not automatic on the attainment of a certain grade average. In accordance with the constitution of the national Society, students elected must have qualifications of “high scholarship, liberal culture, and good character.” Not more than 12.5 percent of a senior class may be elected. Elections take place during the spring semester.

Omicron Delta Kappa— This national leadership society recognizes eminence in five phases of campus life: scholarship; athletics; social and religious activities; publications; and forensics, dramatics, music, and other cultural activities. O.D.K. has three purposes: (1) to recognize persons who have attained a high standard of efficiency in college and collegiate activities, and to inspire others to strive for conspicuous attainment along similar lines; (2) to bring together the most representative men and women in all phases of collegiate life and thus to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate interest; and (3) to bring together members of the faculty and student body on a basis of mutual interest and understanding.

Omicron Delta Epsilon—The economics honor society has as its objective the promotion of scholarly achievement in economics, fellowship among those in the profession, and understanding of key economic issues and problems.

Alpha Epsilon Delta— The Davidson chapter of this national honor premedical fraternity is North Carolina Alpha.

Delta Phi Alpha — A nationally organized honor fraternity that recognizes achievement in German. The society seeks to promote greater understanding of German life, culture, and language.

Alpha Phi Omega— This national service fraternity is composed of students who wish to carry through college days the ideal of service to college, community, and nation.

Alpha Psi Omega— A national honor dramatic fraternity restricted to juniors and seniors who have demonstrated a particular interest in theater through participation in the college drama program.

Eta Sigma Phi— An honor society founded at the University of Chicago in order to stimulate interest in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome, and to promote closer relationships among students interested in classical study.

Gamma Sigma Epsilon —A national fraternity recognizing excellence in chemistry. The chapter at Davidson, founded in 1919, is the mother chapter.

Omicron Gamma Chapter of the Order of Omega— A national Greek Service and Leadership Honor Fraternity for men and women who are outstanding within their own organization. Annual initiation to the Order of Omega is open to the top five percent of the Greek population on campus. As a member in this organization students are charged with taking an active role in campus wide leadership and participation as a group in service activities.

Phi Beta Delta— An international honor society open to juniors, seniors, faculty, and staff. It recognizes exceptional achievement in international studies or service and promotion of international awareness.

Scabbard and Blade— A national military honor society designed to recognize excellence in the study of military affairs and to promote interest in military education. Lifetime membership is by election as an outstanding ROTC student in the junior or senior year. The Davidson chapter, B Company, 5th Regiment, has been in continuous existence since 1923.

Sigma Delta Psi— An honor athletic fraternity open to all students who can perform all 14 prescribed athletic feats.

Sigma Pi Sigma— The national Physics Honor Society. Founded in 1921, the chapter at Davidson is the mother chapter.

Awards

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Alumni Medal —For the freshman with the highest academic average; given by the Alumni Association.

Vereen Bell Memorial Award —For the student submitting the best piece of creative writing; given in memory of author Vereen M. Bell, Class of 1932.

Sandy Black Memorial Award —For the rising senior premedical student judged most outstanding in academic record and who gives promise of an outstanding contribution in the field of medicine: established by Mrs. Sam Orr Black in memory of her grandson, Sandy Black, Class of 1966.

Franz Boas Award in Anthropology —For the senior anthropology major who best exemplifies the qualities of scholarship, intellectual curiosity, and ethical concern for all of humanity demonstrated by Franz Boas, the principal founder of modern American anthropology.

Bremer German Language Award —For excellence in the study of the German language; established by C. Christopher Bremer, M.D., Class of 1960.

Agnes Sentelle Brown Award —For a sophomore, junior, or senior, chosen for outstanding promise as indicated by character, personality, and academic ability; established by the late Dr. Mark Edgar Sentelle, Davidson Professor and Dean of Students, in memory of his sister.

William Scott Bryant Memorial Award —Established by family and friends to increase understanding of our national government by helping outstanding students participate in work and study programs in Washington, D.C.

James A. Chapman, Jr. Annual Award —For a promising student interested in a career in commerce. Established by the Textile Veterans Association in memory of a 1943 alumnus who was a leader in that industry.

Tom Daggy Biology Award —Established in honor of Professor Daggy, who taught in the Department of Biology from 1947 to 1981, this award recognizes outstanding achievement, leadership and service, and a love of exploring the secrets of life.

The Davidson Black Alumni Network Award —Established by Davidson alumni for students of African-American descent who through strength of character and commitment have demonstrated distinguished service to college and community.

Department of the Army Superior Cadet Award —For the outstanding cadet in each year’s group of Military Studies students based on scholastic excellence and demonstrated leadership ability.

Alberta Smith DeVane Religion Award —To a senior religion major whose overall excellence promises outstanding contributions in ministry, medicine, the study of religion, or other service; established by Mrs. Helen DeVane Carnegie in memory of her mother.

Eumenean Literary Society Award —For a member who best exemplifies the society’s motto: Pulchrum est colere mentem, “It is beautiful to cultivate the mind.”

Gladstone Memorial Award —For a rising senior with high potential for future service to mankind as indicated by leadership, service, and academic record; established by family and friends of George L. Gladstone, Jr., Class of 1960.

Leona M. Goodell Memorial Award —Established by friends and family of this career government servant to help students explore careers in government.

Goodwin-Exxon Award —For a sophomore, a junior, and a senior judged to exemplify the highest standards of character, good sportsmanship, and consideration of others; established by Henry S. Goodwin, Class of 1930, and his wife Claire L. Goodwin and funded in part by the Exxon Education Foundation.

Greek Prize —Occasional award of books to a student with the greatest ability and promise in the study of Greek; presented by the Class of 1922.

R. Windley Hall Fund —A first-year student writing award which also provides for a visiting lecturer on campus; honors the memory of a member of the Class of 1963.

William B. Hight, Jr. Teaching Award —Established by colleagues, alumni, and friends in memory of Bill Hight, founder and longtime chair of the department of education; for the senior who has demonstrated great potential for a successful career in teaching at the secondary level.

Douglas Houchens Studio Art Award —For the studio art major in the junior class who made the most progress during the previous year; honoring the professor who founded Davidson’s Art Department in 1953.

David Halbert Howard, Jr. Chemistry Award —For a rising senior studying chemistry who gives promise of the largest degree of usefulness in a related field of service; established by the mother and sister of David Howard, Class of 1928, who died while a chemistry professor at Davidson in 1936.

Lucile and Max Jackson Award in Art History —Established by Charlotte art lovers and friends of the college; presented annually to the rising senior who has demonstrated not only ability and aptitude, but dedication to the discipline of art history.

The Keiser Prize in English —Established in 2000 by Albert Keiser, Jr., Class of 1966 in honor of his father, Professor Albert Keiser, Ph.D.: recognizes superior contributions by one Davidson student each year to the performance of classical English literature.

Kendrick Kelley Award in History —Awarded to the senior history major who best exemplifies the qualities displayed by Ken Kelley, Class of 1963: distinguished academic performance, self-effacing leadership and personal integrity. Established by family and friends in memory of Ken Kelley.

Le Prix de Français (The French Award) —Established in 1991, the French Award was created to honor outstanding achievement in French studies and/or exceptional contributions to the Davidson French program by a senior major.

Henry T. Lilly Award for Excellence in English —Established in 1993 and given in memory of Henry T. Lilly, Class of 1918, Professor of English from 1926 -1966.

Charles E. Lloyd Award —For the student submitting the best piece of nonfiction writing; established in memory of English professor (1956-80) Charles E. Lloyd.

The Samuel D. Maloney Essay Prize —Given in honor of Emeritus Professor Samuel D. Maloney by the Thomas Jefferson family, the Maloney Essay Prize recognizes the student essay that best exemplifies outstanding work in the field of religion, ethics, and culture.

William G. McGavock Mathematics Award —For the member of the senior class who has demonstrated the greatest promise and accomplishment in mathematics while at Davidson; honors the memory of W. G. McGavock, Class of 1930, and longtime professor of mathematics.

Mundo Hispanico (The Spanish Award) —Established by the Spanish Department to recognize excellence in the study of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture.

Phifer Economics Award —For an upperclass student who has made a distinguished record in the study of economics; established by Mrs. A.K. Phifer.

The Physics Award —Established by alumni and friends to honor outstanding achievement in the study of physics.

W. Kendrick Pritchett Award in Classics —Presented to a senior classics major who exemplifies the qualities displayed by W. Kendrick Pritchett, Class of 1929: distinguished academic performance, personal integrity, and love of ancient literature, history, and archaeology.

Harris Proctor Award —Established through gifts from colleagues to honor Professor Emeritus J. Harris Proctor. The award is presented annually to the outstanding senior political science major.

Charles Malone Richards Award —For a rising senior, ordinarily preparing for the ministry, who has made the most significant contribution to the religious life of the college community; established by family and friends of Dr. Richards, Class of 1892, and Davidson pastor and professor.

Richard Ross Memorial Music Award —For a graduating senior music major who during four years of study has demonstrated the greatest achievement in the three areas for which Richard Ross was known: musical artistry, academic excellence, and Christian character.

Dean Rusk Program Award —For the student who has contributed most to international studies at Davidson.

The C. Shaw Smith Award —Presented annually to a rising junior or senior who has made outstanding contributions to the life of the college community through service at the College Union; honors C. Shaw Smith, Class of 1939, and College Union Director from 1952-1983.

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award —Two medallions presented annually, one to a member of the senior class and the other to a person outside the student body, recognizing fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living, usually going to persons who have given unselfish service without due recognition; established in 1926 by the New York Southern Society in memory of its founder.

Theatre Award —For the senior who has contributed most to better theatre at Davidson College during four years on campus.

Rawley P. Turner Drama Award —Presented to the student who, in the opinion of a committee made up of faculty and community threatre-goers, has given the best performance in a major drama production for the year.

Porter P. Vinson Chemistry Award —For a rising junior, recognizing unusual mastery of the field and significant promise for further study; established by family in memory of Porter Paisley Vinson, M.D., Class of 1909, Davidson M.A. in Chemistry 1910.

William D. Vinson Mathematics Award —For a rising junior, recognizing unusual mastery of the field and significant promise for further study; established by family in memory of Davidson mathematics professor (1883-97) William Daniel Vinson, LL.D.

Daniel Blain Woods Award —For the rising senior premedical student who best exhibits the qualities of a good doctor: wisdom, compassion, the desire to serve, the ability to analyze problems, integrity, and academic excellence; established by Dr. James B. Woods, Jr., Class of 1918, and his wife in memory of their son.

James Baker Woods III Memorial Award —For a rising senior military science cadet who has displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, moral character, academic achievement, and aptitude for military service; established by Dr. James B. Woods, Jr., Class of 1918, and his wife in memory of their son, Class of 1962, who gave his life in defense of his country.

William Gatewood Workman Psychology Award —For the senior judged to have come closest to attaining Dr. Workman’s extraordinary standards of scholarship, character and service; established in honor of this longtime professor of psychology by psychology faculty and alumni.

Athletic Honor Awards

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Helen DeVane Carnegie Award —Presented to the most outstanding freshman athlete.

David Parrott Memorial Award —Presented to a student in recognition of contribution, outstanding sportsmanship and participation in the intramural athletic program.

Tommy Peters Memorial Award —Presented to a male athlete with outstanding dedication and contribution to intercollegiate athletics.

Susan K. Roberts Award —Presented to a woman athlete best exemplifying the Davidson spirit in intercollegiate athletics and campus leadership.

Thomas D. Sparrow Award —Presented to a male athlete best exemplifying the Davidson spirit in intercollegiate athletics and campus leadership.

Rebecca E. Stimson Award —Presented to a woman athlete in recognition of outstanding dedication and contribution to intercollegiate athletics.