The following awards are given annually to deserving Kenyon College students for recognition of an academic work, achievement within the classroom, or contributions within the campus community and/or beyond.

The winners of these awards are either nominated by a member of the Kenyon College community, or are required to submit an original essay or written work.

*The deadline for Nominations & Essays for 2013 is
Monday, February 18 at 4:30pm, unless otherwise noted.*

• George B. Ogden Prize
• George Gund Award
• Dalton Fellowship for American Studies

George B. Ogden Prize

(original essay by student required)

The Ogden is awarded for the "best essay in English prose." This competition is open to all students, and the winner receives a monetary prize.

Essays may take a variety of forms. The intent of this prize is to recognize short pieces of writing that envision a general audience and that reflect the author's personal point of view. Papers written for classes or sections of Senior Exercise projects generally won't succeed as essays of this kind, and previous judges for the award discourage the submission of such papers. A good essay for the Ogden competition might be analytical, but it won't be overly specialized or written for a narrow academic audience. Above all, it will spring from the author's care -- even passion -- for a topic or question. It will be about something that matters to the author. It may seek to persuade, or offer reflections. It may be highly personal or more detached, lyrical in its language or more prosaic, narrative or expository in nature. But it should engage the interest of an intelligent reader not already familiar with the subject.

Students are encouraged to submit essays of no more than 1,500 to 2,000 words.

Four copies of an essay must be submitted to the Academic Advising office (2nd floor, Edwards House).

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George Gund Award

(original essay by student required)

A collegiate prize awarded annually for the best essay in American Studies. The Gund Award will be juried by the faculty in American Studies in consultation with the Dean of Academic Advising. The winner will receive a monetary gift.

Three copies of an essay must be submitted to Peter Rutkoff at O'Connor House 203.

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Dalton Fellowship for American Studies

(application required)

An annual collegiate award for the student who has done the best work in American Studies. A proposed graduate program of study and evidence of leadership ability and character are required. The Dalton Prize provides significant support towards tuition for graduate work in American Studies and will be used within three years of graduation. Nomination forms are available through the link below and must be returned to Peter Rutkoff at O'Connor House 203, by 4:30 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013.

Dalton Application (.doc)
Dalton Application (.pdf)

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