Class of 2023 Senior Honor Award Recipients
IVY DAY AWARDS
The Ivy Day Ceremony at the University of Pennsylvania is a tradition that dates to 1873. Held on the Saturday of Alumni Weekend, this annual ceremony recognizes outstanding graduating seniors for their leadership and service to the University community.
In addition to the presentation of senior honor awards, engagement prizes, class leadership and scholastic awards, the ceremony includes the unveiling of the class ivy stone, a traditional marker to symbolize each graduating class and their permanent connection to Penn.
All awards with one exception are senior applicants only. Seniors may apply for multiple awards, and self-nominations are preferred to ensure complete and accurate submissions. The Sol Feinstone Undergraduate Award is open to senior, junior, and sophomore applicants. After reviewing award descriptions, select the award’s name to access the nomination form.
Awards for Seniors
The Senior Honor Awards
(Click on the award name above to access the nomination form)
Spoon, Bowl, Cane and Spade for those who identify as men; Hottel Shield, Harnwell Flag, Goddard Loving Cup and Brownlee Skimmer Hat Awards for those who identify as women.
Nominees must be members in good academic standing of the Class of 2023(defined as those who enrolled at Penn in the fall of 2019, transfer students who enrolled at their previous school in the fall of 2019, or students who enrolled in the fall of 2020 but are graduating with the Class of 2023) who have actively contributed to campus life through activities and leadership.
A committee of staff & administrators and the senior class board will participate in a selection process to narrow the pool of candidates to 15 men and 15 women.
Once these 30 students are identified, the Senior Class will participate in an online voting process whereby the top 4 men and top 4 women receiving the most votes will be the Class of 2023 award recipients.
The nomination deadline for the Senior Honor Awards is 5p on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
The James Howard Weiss Memorial Award and Penn Student Agencies Award
(Click on the award name above to access the nomination form)
The Weiss & PSA Awards recognize distinguished academic achievement (minimum G.P.A. of 3.7) and significant leadership in undergraduate activities by a member of the senior class. Applicants are asked to submit a brief essay describing the impact of their campus involvement as well as two letters of recommendation. A committee comprised of staff and students will select the recipients of the awards.
The nomination deadline for the Weiss & PSA Awards is 5p on Friday, March 24, 2023.
The Student Award of Merit
(Click on the award name above to access the nomination form)
This award, sponsored by Penn Alumni, is presented to members of the Senior Class on the May graduation roster (Nominees must be members in good academic standing of the Class of 2023 (defined as those who matriculated at Penn in the fall of 2019, transfer students who matriculated at their previous school in the fall of 2019, or students who matriculated in the fall of 2020 but are graduating with the Class of 2023) who have actively contributed to campus life through activities and leadership.
The selection committee recognizes that University service takes many different forms, including but not limited to academic, co-curricular, athletic, and community service. Alumni relations and/or advancement experience is not required. Applicants are asked to use the brief essay portion of this application to describe the nature of their contributions to the Penn community and provide meaningful examples of the same. This award will be given to no fewer than one and no more than five members of the senior class. A committee comprised of alumni makes the final selection from the list of candidates. There is no minimum G.P.A. requirement.
The application deadline for the Student Award of Merit is 5p on Friday, March 24, 2023.
Award for Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores
The Sol Feinstone Undergraduate Awards
(Click on the award name above to access the nomination form)
These awards may be presented to a senior, junior or sophomore who has contributed to “orderly and constructive social and educational change within or outside the University community.”
Past recipients have included:
- The undergraduate who established the first mental health student group in the nation.
- The creators of a Saturday African-centered enrichment program for local children.
- The organizers of a pre-orientation leadership program for incoming first-year students.
- The founder of the first and the only youth-led LGBT statewide organization in the nation.
Applicants are asked to submit a brief essay describing their contribution as well as two letters of recommendation. A committee comprised of staff and students will select the recipients of the award. [Keep in mind that there must be a specific, impactful contribution, not simply a list of activities or leadership position(s) held].
The application deadline for the Sol Feinstone Undergraduate Award is 5p on Friday, March 24, 2023.