Academic Prizes 2016

The Rebecca Willow Prize, established in 2008 in memory of Rebecca Willow, Class of 1995, is awarded to students whose presence bring personal integrity and kindness to the community and who unite an interest in human history and culture with a passion for the natural world. Ian Hitchcock and Christopher Lamb

The Robert H. MacArthur Prize was established in 1973 in memory of Robert MacArthur, Class of 1951, and recently rededicated to Robert and also to John and to John and Robert’s parents, John and Olive MacArthur, who founded the science program at Marlboro College. The contest for the prize is in the form of a question or challenge offered to the entire student community. First place, Christopher Maleney; second place, Helen Pinch and Andrea Tirrell; Honorable Mention, Daniel Medeiros

The Sally and Valerio Montanari Theater Prize is awarded annually to a graduating senior who has made the greatest overall contribution to the pursuit of excellence in theater production. Laura (Rainbow) Stakiwicz

The Roland W. Boyden Prize is given by the humanities faculty to students who have demonstrated excellence in the humanities. Roland Boyden was a founding faculty member of the college, acting president, dean, and trustee. Matthew Czuba, Lauren Hunley, Edward Suprenant

The Freshman/Sophomore Essay Prize, given annually for the best essay written for a Marlboro course. Helen Pinch, for her essay “Principles and Prohibitions: the Female Body and Existential Freedom in A Very Easy Death.” Willa Decker, Honorable Mention for “The Photographed Image as a Phenomenological Account.”

The Audrey Alley Gorton Award, given in memory of Audrey Gorton, Marlboro alumna and member of the faculty for 33 years, to the student who best reflects the Gorton qualities of: passion for reading, an independence of critical judgment, fastidious attention to matters of style, and a gift for intelligent conversation. Jocelyn (Marceline) Mitchell

The Helen W. Clark Prize, awarded by the visual arts faculty for the best Plan of Concentrations in the fine arts. Emily Tatro and Ethan Minkema

The Dr. Loren C. Bronson Award for Excellence in Classics, established by the family of Loren Bronsen, class of 1973, to encourage undergraduate work in classics. Adam Wood

The Buck Turner Prize, awarded to students who demonstrate excellence in the natural sciences, who use interdisciplinary approaches, and who place their work in the context of larger questions. Megan Stypulkoski and Naji Forest Pride

The Hilly van Loon Prize, established by the Class of 2000 in honor of Hilly van Loon, Marlboro Class of 1962 and staff member for 23 years, is given to seniors who best reflect Hilly’s wisdom, compassion, community involvement, quiet dedication to the spirit of Marlboro College, joy in writing, and celebration of life. Lily Kane, Liliana Hollertz, Sophie Gorjance

The William Davisson Prize, created by the Town Meeting Selectboard and named in honor of Will Davisson who served as a faculty member for 18 years and as a trustee for 22 years, is awarded to one or more students for extraordinary contributions to the Marlboro community. Solomon Botwick-Ries and Felix Jarrar

The Ryan Larsen Memorial Prize was established in 2006 in memory of Ryan Jeffrey Larsen, who felt transformed by the opportunities to learn and grow within the embrace of the Marlboro College community. It will be awarded annually to juniors or seniors who best reflect Ryan’s qualities of philosophical curiosity, creativity, compassion, and spiritual inquiry. Matthew McIntosh and Trevor Asbury

The Robert E. Engel Award established in 2011 in honor of Bob Engel, Marlboro Faculty member for 36 years, is awarded to a student who demonstrates Bob’s passion for the natural world and his keen powers of observation and inquiry as a natural historian. Andrea Tirrell

The Jedediah Adam Leland Fels (JALF) Award, established in 2015 in memory of Jed (Adam) Fels, class of 1992, recognizes a second semester freshman or a sophomore who demonstrates a passion for the literary and/or dramatic arts and whose sense of humor and unique or even provocative community presence embodies the core values of the college. Saron Zewdie

The Ellen McCulloch-Lovell Prize was established in 2015 in honor of Ellen’s 11 years as president of Marlboro College. The prize commemorates Ellen’s passion for education and the arts, lived out through her professional career and published poetry. It recognizes accomplishment and potential in writing across genres—including fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and creative non-fiction—and encourages emerging writers to keep developing their craft. Each year, recipients will alternate between Marlboro College undergraduate and graduate students who have shown both potential and improvement in their writing. Anna Loucka

The President’s Award established in 2005, is given to graduate and professional studies students who demonstrate excellence in their academic experience. Student work must show complexity in content and execution, and demonstrate individual growth and personal transformation with potential for significant community impact. Teresa Benevento MSM, Rachel Ruppel MSM, Heidi Doyle MAT, and Robert Crowley BSMIS