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Student Prizes

On behalf of Caltech and in recognition of students' achievements, HSS faculty select undergraduate and graduate students to receive the following awards and honors.



Prize recipients from the last 5 years are listed below and links to past papers (hosted on CaltechTHESIS) can be found under the "More Information" drop-downs.

David M. Grether Prize in Social Science

The prize rewards outstanding performance and creativity by a Caltech undergraduate who completes one of the social science options. The prize was established by Susan G. Davis in recognition of David M. Grether's contributions to econometrics and experimental economics and his service to the Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The prize is awarded annually by a committee of social science faculty.


Alexander P. and Adelaide F. Hixon Prize for Writing

The Hixon Prize for Writing was established in 2000 by Alexander P. and Adelaide F. Hixon. The prize is awarded annually to an undergraduate student for the best composition in a first-year humanities course. The prize is administered by the writing center, and the winner is chosen by a committee from the humanities division.


John O. Ledyard Prize for Graduate Research in Social Science

The prize rewards the best second-year paper by a graduate student in Social Science or Social and Decision Neuroscience. The prize was established by Susan G. Davis in recognition of John O. Ledyard's dedication to developing graduate students as independent researchers and his service to the Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The prize is awarded annually by a committee of social science faculty to a sole-authored work.


Mary A. Earl McKinney Prize in Literature

The Mary A. Earl McKinney Prize in Literature was established in 1946 by Samuel P. McKinney, M.D., of Los Angeles. Its purpose is to promote proficiency in writing. The terms under which it is given are decided each year by the literature faculty. It may be awarded for essays submitted in connection with regular literature classes or awarded on the basis of a special essay contest.


Rodman W. Paul History Prize

The Rodman W. Paul History Prize was established in 1986 by some of his many colleagues and friends to honor Professor Paul's 35 years of teaching and research at the Institute. The prize is awarded annually to a junior or senior who has shown unusual interest in and talent for history.


Eleanor Searle Prize in Law, Politics, and Institutions

The Eleanor Searle Prize was established in 1999 by friends and colleagues to honor Eleanor Searle, who was the Edie and Lew Wasserman Professor of History at Caltech. The prize is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student whose work in history, or the social sciences exemplifies Eleanor Searle's interests in the use of power, government, and law.


Hallett Smith Prize

The Hallett Smith Prize was established in 1997 to commemorate Professor Smith's long career as one of this century's most distinguished Renaissance scholars. The cash prize is given annually by the English faculty to the student who writes the best essay on English literature.


Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prizes

This prize is awarded to undergraduate students for excellence in written and oral communication skills. Awards will be given in the following fields: English, history, and philosophy.