Prize Scholarships

Prize scholarships are awarded either in the fall at Convocation or in the spring on Class & Charter Day. Additional criteria may apply to the awards shown here.

The Dr. Philip I. Bowman Prize Scholarship was established by friends in honor of Dr. Bowman, a distinguished chemical engineer. It is awarded to a student who has a deep interest in science (preferably chemistry), foreign languages, and co-curricular ­involvement; who strives for perfection; and who has a high level of tolerance and ­empathy for others.

The Madeleine Wild Bristol Prize Scholarship in Music, established in memory of Madeleine Wild Bristol, is awarded to a rising sophomore, junior, or senior music student who is an outstanding performer, composer, scholar, or leader in music and who is also an active participant in a broad range of extracurricular activities.

The Coleman Burke Prize Scholarship, established by Coleman Burke, Class of 1934 and former chairman of the Board of Trustees, and his wife, Mary Poston Burke, is awarded to a sophomore who has demonstrated strong academic ability, as well as broad-based extra­curricular involvement and the potential for leadership in the Hamilton community.

The Carter Family Prize Scholarship was established by Diane Carter Maleson, ­mother of Gwendolyn Maleson, Class of 1993, in memory of her parents, Gerald and Camille Carter, and her sister and niece, Joan and Christine Scholes. It is awarded to a student who excels in the visual or performing arts, who is a talented writer, and who maintains a minimum average of 85.

The Class of 2003 Memorial Prize Scholarship, established by the Class of 2003 in memory of their classmates and friends Jared Good, Matthew Houlihan and Christopher Kern, is awarded at the end of the sophomore year to that individual who exemplifies the true characteristics of a Hamiltonian as demonstrated by Jared, Matt and Chris.

The Class of 2009 Community Service Memorial Prize Scholarship is awarded to that rising junior or rising senior who has demonstrated a significant and substantial commitment to community service and, by his or her involvement, has affected a positive impact on the campus and the surrounding communities including, but not limited to, the Village of Clinton, N.Y. Established by the Class of 2009, this prize honors the memory of classmates Katharine Eckman and Andrew Sheridan.

The Thomas E. Colby III Prize Scholarship in German, established by his family in ­memory of Thomas E. Colby, Class of 1942 and a professor of German at Hamilton from 1959 to 1983, is awarded to a student concentrating in German who has demonstrated superior scholarship in that discipline.

The Frank C. and Marion D. Colridge Prize Scholarship, established by Frank C. Colridge, Class of 1918, and his wife, Marion, is awarded to a junior who possesses the outstanding qualities of leadership and character as evidenced by broad-based partici­­pation in extracurricular activities at Hamilton.

The Curran Prize Scholarship, established by relatives of Colonel Henry H. Curran, Class of 1862, provides a scholarship for a student enrolled in courses in the Classical Languages Department and who has achieved a distinguished record in those courses.

The Ned Doyle Prize Scholarships, established by Ned Doyle, Class of 1924, is awarded to a rising sophomore, junior, and senior, each of whom has made a significant contribution to the College’s extracurricular activities.

The Milton F. Fillius, Jr./Joseph Drown Prize Scholarship, established by the Joseph Drown Foundation and named in memory of Milton F. Fillius, Jr., Class of 1944, is awarded to a student completing the junior year who has been very successful academically, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities while at Hamilton, and who is likely to make a significant contribution to society in the future.

The Dr. Edward R. Fitch Prize Scholarships in Classical Language, founded by E. Root Fitch, Class of 1886, are awarded annually to students who are registered for courses in either Greek or Latin. The awards are made on the basis of scholarship standing, character, and salutary influence on the life of the College.

The Randall J. Harris Prize Scholarship, created in memory of Randall J. Harris, Class of 1974, by his family and friends, is awarded to a junior concentrating in ­philosophy who has demonstrated superior scholarship in that discipline. Preference is given to a student expressing a desire to undertake graduate study in philosophy.

The L. David Hawley Prize Scholarship in Geology, established by alumni in honor of Professor Hawley, who taught geology at Hamilton for 25 years, is awarded to an ­outstanding junior who intends to go on to a career in geology. Consideration is also given to promise as a scientist, breadth of background in the sciences and general academic standing.

The Grant ’21 and Silas ’52 Keehn Prize Scholarship honors the memory of Grant Keehn, Class of 1921, a distinguished businessman and former chairman of the Board of Trustees, and his son Silas Keehn, Class of 1952, a life trustee of the College. It is awarded after the first year to students who have demonstrated notably strong characteristics of leadership and who are in good academic standing.

The Leonard E. and Sue J. Kingsley Prize Scholarship, established by Leonard E. Kingsley, Class of 1951 and a life trustee of the College, and his wife, Sue, is awarded to members of the sophomore or junior class who have demonstrated the potential for both significant academic achievement and community leadership.

The Kirkland Alumnae Prize Scholarship, established by the Kirkland College Class of 1974 and supplemented by other Kirkland classes, is awarded to an upperclass woman who exemplifies the ideals of Kirkland women, specifically initiative, creativity, and ­ingenuity, and who has the ability to achieve objectives through self-directed academic and nonacademic pursuits.

The Paul S. Langa Prize Scholarship, established by Paul S. Langa, Class of 1948, is awarded to the Hamilton student who has demonstrated academic excellence along with outstanding determination, leadership, and commitment in extracurricular activities.

The Calvin Leslie Lewis Prize Scholarship in the Dramatic Arts was established by Elisabeth and Charles G. Mortimer, Jr., Class of 1949, in memory of Mr. Mortimer’s grandfather, Calvin L. Lewis, Class of 1890 and the Upson Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory from 1908 to 1935. It is awarded to students, preferably juniors, who have demonstrated an interest and ability in oral communication in its broadest aspects and who have actively and successfully participated in programs in the dramatic arts.

The Michael Maslyn ’01 Memorial Prize Scholarship, established by the Class of 2001 in memory of their classmate Michael Maslyn, is awarded at the end of the junior year to that individual who demonstrates exceptional class spirit.

The Carl B. Menges Prize Scholarship in College Governance was established in 2000 by John D. Phillips, Jr., Class of 1969, in honor of Hamilton trustee Carl B. Menges, Class of 1951, and in recognition of his work to improve all aspects of Hamilton governance. It is awarded to a junior or senior who writes the best essay on any significant aspect of ­college governance, defined broadly to include academic, administration, admissions, alumni, buildings and grounds, endowment, finance, student life, and trustee issues.

The Robert Leet Patterson Prize Scholarships in Philosophy, established by Robert Leet Patterson, Class of 1917, are awarded to sophomores and juniors who have excelled in the study of philosophy.

The Frank Humphrey Ristine Prize Scholarship was established by former students and other friends in memory of Frank H. Ristine, professor of English literature from 1912 to 1952, and is awarded for excellence in English. Consideration is also given to general academic standing, need for financial aid, and campus citizenship.

The Jenny Rubin Memorial Prize Scholarship, established by in memory of Jennifer Lynn Rubin, Class of 1983, by her friends is awarded to a rising senior woman who has evinced interest in, and ongoing commitment to, helping others improve their lives.

The William John Schickler III Prize Scholarship, established by family and friends in memory of William J. Schickler III, Class of 1982, is awarded to a rising junior who demonstrates good academic performance, financial need, enthusiasm for life, and dedicated participation in extracurricular activities.

The James Soper Merrill Prize, established in memory of James Soper Merrill by his cousin, James P. Soper, Class of 1911, is awarded at Commencement to that member of the graduating class “who, in character and influence, has best typified the highest ideals of the College.” Selected by the faculty, the recipient is presented with a gold watch.

The Frederick Reese Wagner Prize Scholarship in English, established by former ­students and others in honor of Professor Wagner, who taught English at Hamilton from 1969 to 1995, is awarded for excellence in the study of literature in English.

The Sam Welsch Memorial Prize Scholarship in Computer Science, established in memory of Sam Welsch by Jason Fischbach, Class of 1994, and his parents, is awarded to a student who excels in and shows enthusiasm for the study of computer science. The award is not limited to computer science concentrators.

The Sidney and Eleanor Wertimer Prize Scholarships in Economics, established by John Phillips, Jr., Class of 1969, and John Phillips, Sr. in honor of Sidney and Eleanor Wertimer, are awarded to up to five juniors who have excelled in the study of economics.