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The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to invite faculty, staff, graduating seniors and their families to celebrate at the College of Arts and Sciences Graduating Student Reception and Awards Ceremony. This event formally recognizes undergraduate student achievement and is one of the high points of the academic year. This ceremony and reception convey a sense of intellectual excitement and promise of future success to our entire graduating class.
Click here to download the 2012 Award Ceremony Program.
Scroll down for awards and recipients recognized in 2013.
During the ceremony, College award recipients are called to the stage to receive a graduation medal presented to them by the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. A photo and short bio of each of the recipients will be featured in the Award Ceremony Program. Acknowledgement of these College level awards is also made in the Seattle University Undergraduate Commencement Program.
Each year one or two outstanding graduating students of the College of Arts and Sciences are chosen to receive the Hickey Award. These students are presented with a medal at the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Awards Ceremony and also have the privilege of leading their class in the processional at graduation. Selection is based upon the student(s)' total contribution to academic life and is made by the department chairs and program directors of the College. The award honors the memory of Dr. Richard P. Hickey, professor of English, a beloved and respected teacher at Seattle University from 1947 until his death in 1968.
The LeRoux Leadership Award recognizes the graduating student(s) who has demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities, shown academic excellence, and performed significant service to the College. The recipients personify in character and in action the qualities of a liberal education, which constitute the "spirit" of our College. Selection is made by a faculty panel. The award honors the memory of Fr. William L Roux, S.J. who served as Dean of the College.
Department award recipients are called to the stage to receive a graduation medal presented to them by a faculty member from their department. A photo and short bio of each of the department award student recipients will be featured in the Award Ceremony Program.
This award recognizes the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
This award recognizes an undergraduate anthropology student in a Jesuit Institution of higher learning who has achieved the highest standards in both scholastic achievement and service to others. Father Buechal represents lifelong dedication to both scholarship and service. The award bearing his name is given to the individual who exemplifies outstanding and persistent scientific curiosity along with willingness to engage and serve others.
This undergraduate honor society recognizes achievement in anthropology by students in Jesuit institutions of higher learning. Ranked among the founders of the discipline, Fr, Lafitau was an early practitioner of the comparative method known for sensitive ethnological fieldwork and language acquisition. Members of the Lafitau Society shall exemplify both scholarship and service in their anthropological work in the context of a liberal arts tradition of Jesuit education.
The Social Work Program’s J. Robert Larson Award is named in honor of J. Robert Larson, a retired, long-time faculty member in the Department of Sociology who played an instrumental role in supporting the study of social work at Seattle University. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Sociology major’s Peronteau Award is named in honor of Fr. Howard Peronteau, S.J., Seattle University pioneer and founder of the sociology major. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
As director of the Human Rights Institute, Segundo Mozo traveled abroad where he presented the results of his study of Salvadoran refugees and human rights. One of six Jesuit martyrs in El Salvador, he is described as compassionate and a true reconciler, devoting his life to others. The Mozo Service Award recognizes the graduating student in Sociology who has demonstrated outstanding service.
The Communication Department’s Talevich Award is named in honor of Dr. John Talevich, long-time distinguished professor of journalism. This award is presented to the graduating students with the highest GPA in their major.
The Criminal Justice Department’s Kelliher Award is named in honor of Department founder Fr. Michael Kelliher, S.J. This award is presented to the graduating student(s) with the highest GPA in the major.
The Eugene Corr Criminal Justice Service and Ethics Award honors a graduating seniors in the Criminal Justice Department who have made significant service and ethics contributions to the criminal justice system. The award recipients are a graduating seniors who have engaged in extraordinary service activities (e.g., volunteer work, research assistance, guest presentations, etc) that help improve the criminal justice system in ways that increase the potential for ethical conduct in the criminal justice profession.
The English Department’s McDonald Award is named in honor of former chair and distinguished professor Fr. Alex McDonald, S.J. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Environmental Studies Department’s Hazel Wolf Award is named in honor of ecologist Hazel Wolf. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Fine Arts Department's Buhr Award is named in honor of Mr. Anthony Buhr, who died serving his country in World War II. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the department.
The History Department’s Donovan Award is named in honor of the late Fr. Joseph Donovan, S.J., long-time distinguished professor of history. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The International Studies Department’s Noel Brown Award is named in honor of Noel J. Brown, graduate of Seattle University and Yale University and retired director of the United Nations Environment Program. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Liberal Studies Major’s Newman Award is named in honor of John Henry Cardinal Newman, whose vision of university education championed the interdisciplinary nature of this major. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Military Science Department's Brady Award is named in honor of Major General Patrick H. Brady, a 1959 graduate of the Army ROTC program, Medal of Honor recipient, and emeritus member of the Seattle University Board of Regents. The award recipient is a graduating senior who has earned the highest GPA in the military science program.
The Foreign Language Department’s Michels award is named in honor of the Michels Family, supportive friends and benefactors of the Department. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Philosophy Department’s Reichmann Award is named in honor of Fr. James Reichmann, S.J., distinguished emeritus professor of Philosophy. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Political Science Department’s Kennedy Award is named in honor of President John F. Kennedy. This award is presented to the graduating student(s) with the highest GPA in the major.
The Psychology Department’s Gaffney Award is named in honor of the late Fr. Louis Gaffney, S.J., distinguished professor of psychology and former president of Seattle University. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Public Affairs Major’s Wilson Award is named in honor of Woodrow Wilson, university scholar, administrator, and U.S. president. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Sport & Exercise Science Major's Speck Award is named in honor of Sarah M. Speck, M.D., who hosts the exercise science lab in her medical practice. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Theology and Religious Studies Department’s Lacugna Award is named in honor of the late Dr. Catherine Lacugna, noted theologian and Seattle University alumna. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
The Women and Gender Studies Program's Susan L. Secker Award is named in honor of Dr. Susan Secker, distinguished professor, former chair of Theology and Religious Studies, former Associate Dean, and the first woman to be named Provost of Seattle University. This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the major.
Majoring with departmental honors offers an opportunity for motivated and capable students to engage in extensive interaction with faculty and complete challenging directed study projects and research in their major. Departmental Honors recipients are asked to stand in acknowledgement of their fine achievements during the Awards Ceremony. Student names and project titles are featured in the Awards Ceremony Program.
Student Executive Council (SEC) is a group of students representing each of the College of Arts and Sciences’ majors who act as an advisory board to the Dean. These students work together act as the students’ voices in regards to making policy and implementing change within the college. The graduating seniors serving on the Arts & Sciences’ Student Executive Council are asked to stand in acknowledgement of their service at the Awards Ceremony. Students names and roles appear in the Award Ceremony Program.
As an organization of student representatives in the College of Arts & Sciences, Student Executive Council is committed to the pursuit of academic excellence and freedom in an educational environment that values the unique contribution of each student. The purpose of the Scholastic Competition is to provide undergraduate students an opportunity to showcase their work, develop their writing and voice, and receive acknowledgement for their original, quality scholarship. Winners of the Scholastic competition are chosen by a panel of three professors and two students. At the Ceremony, Scholastic Competition winners are presented with their awards. Student names and project titles are featured in the Awards Ceremony Program.
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The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest undergraduate and graduate college affiliated with Seattle University, the Northwest's largest independent university. The College offers 42 undergraduate majors, 37 undergraduate minors, 7 graduate degrees, and 1 post-graduate certificate. The College of Arts and Sciences provides a solid grounding in liberal arts education along with a host of majors and minors to best fit the needs of individual students in the 21st century.
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