Awards and Graduation Honors

Stanford students can win university awards for their leadership, service, and academic and research excellence.

University Awards

  • Gores Awards. The Walter J. Gores Awards recognize undergraduate and graduate teaching excellence.
  • Dinkelspiel Awards. The Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Awards recognize distinctive and exceptional contributions to undergraduate education or the quality of student life at Stanford. 
  • Cuthbertson Awards. The Kenneth M. Cuthbertson Awards recognize exceptional contributions of all types to Stanford University.
  • Nomination Process. Nominations for the Gores, Dinkelspiel and Cuthbertson Awards can be made by any member of the Stanford community. 

General Academic Awards

  • The Deans' Award. The Deans’ Award recognizes up to 10 undergraduates per year for their outstanding academic contributions. 
  • President’s Award for Academic Excellence in the Freshman Year. The President’s Award honors students who have exceptionally distinguished academic records that exemplify a strong program of study in the freshman year.
  • Phi Beta Kappa. Phi Beta Kappa is a nationwide society honoring students for the excellence and breadth of their undergraduate scholarly achievements. To be considered, a student must take three courses of 3 units or more at Stanford with a grade of ‘B-’ or better in three domains of knowledge. These domains are humanities; science, engineering, and math; and social sciences. Students’ academic records are automatically reviewed, so no special action is required for students who wish to be considered for membership.
  • Tau Beta Pi. Tau Beta Pi is the only engineering honor society representing the entire engineering profession. Membership in Tau Beta Pi recognizes a high level of accomplishment in undergraduate engineering majors. To be considered, a student must be a declared engineering major and have placed within the top 12 percent of their class as a junior or top 20 percent of their class as a senior. Eligibility for membership is determined twice a year, autumn and winter quarters, by the School of Engineering.
  • The Sterling Award. The Sterling Award recognizes a senior whose undergraduate activities demonstrate the strong potential for continued service to the University and the alumni community. Service includes clubs, athletics, fundraising, journalism, public service, student government, University committees, religious organizations, residential education, drama and musical productions, or social and political organizations.

Honors Awards

Departmental honors, noted on both transcripts and diplomas, are awarded for a thesis based on independent creative work at an advanced level.

Top honors theses are recognized annually by the following awards:

  • Golden Medal. The Robert M. Golden Medal for Excellence in the Humanities and the Creative Arts is awarded to the top ten percent of all honors theses in the humanities, senior projects or performance in the arts. 
  • Firestone Medal. The Firestone Medal for Excellence in Undergraduate Research recognizes the top ten percent of all honors theses in social science, science and engineering.
  • Kennedy Thesis Prize.  Kennedy Theses Prizes are awarded to the top Firestone/Golden medalist from each of the following areas of study: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and applied sciences/engineering.
  • The Award for Excellence in Honors Thesis Presentation. The Award for Excellence in Honors Thesis Presentation is granted by departments and programs to students whose honors presentations exemplifies the highest standards.

These prestigious awards are presented at the annual Medals Ceremony, held during commencement weekend.  This year's event will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2011.  For more information, please contact [email protected].

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Writing & Presentation Awards

  • Boothe Prize for Excellence in Writing. The Boothe Prize for Excellence in Writing recognizes outstanding examples of expository and argumentative writing. This is for first-year students in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric and the Introduction to the Humanities Program.
  • The Lunsford Oral Presentation of Research Award.  The Lunsford Oral Presentation of Research Award recognizes innovative multimedia presentations that students create in their PWR 2 classes.  This award is for second-year students in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric.
  • The Hoefer Prizes for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing. The Hoefer Prizes for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing recognize outstanding Stanford undergraduate writing in the Writing in the Major courses.

Service Awards

  • Walk the Talk Service Leadership Award. The Walk the Talk Service Leadership Award recognizes the public service activities of students involved in service through the Haas Center. It recognizes their long-term commitment and the behind-the-scenes work of building organizational infrastructure that is not often acknowledged.
  • The James W. Lyons Award. The James W. Lyons Award recognizes individual undergraduates who have made an exceptional contribution to Stanford through departments, teams, clubs, residences or community service projects.
  • The Legacy Award. The Legacy Award rewards groups who have sustained a high level of service over a long period of time.
  • The Outstanding Citizen Award. The Outstanding Citizen Award recognizes one undergraduate and graduate student who best exemplify and embody the Stanford University Fundamental Standard.

Community Center Awards

Stanford Community Centers sponsor a variety of awards, writing competitions and grants for students. Visit their sites for more information.

School, Departmental and Program Awards

Consult with Dean’s Office, department or program administrators about awards they confer.

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Awards Links:

Past Recipients of the Golden Medal

Past Recipients of The Firestone Medal

Past Recipients of the Deans’ Award

Related Links: