Goucher College Student Leadership Awards

The Student Leadership Awards are presented annually to selected students spanning all class years. It is one of the greatest opportunities at Goucher College to recognize students for their accomplishments and contributions to the Goucher community. Participating in the nomination process is an equally powerful way to witness and elevate a student’s leadership and growth as they inspire, organize, and build.

Please click below to read about each award.

Student Leadership Awards

Corene Elaine Amoss Award

 Sophomores or Juniors


The Amoss Award is intended to recognize students who approach the standards set by Corene Elaine Amoss while she was a student at Goucher College (1989-93). Awards from the Amoss Fund will be granted annually to one or more Goucher students who have established an outstanding academic record and also participated in more than one aspect of co-curricular student life at the college (i.e., student government, community service, intercollegiate athletics, etc.) To be eligible for the Amoss Award, candidates must have completed their freshman year and achieved academic standing as a Goucher College sophomore. In addition, Amoss Award recipients must have, and maintain, a minimum grade point average of 3.0. 

Apter Prize

Rising Seniors Only


This prize was established in 1983 in honor of Marilyn Silverman Apter, Class of 1941, who was disabled most of her adult life. The prize will be given to an outstanding rising senior who has achieved high academic honors, served the college and shown outstanding leadership qualities, to assist the awardee in completing his or her education. It is recommended (but not required) that the Apter Prize be awarded to a person who has a disability or someone who plans to work with persons with disabilities (or a related field). This prize will be given to one recipient.

Ethelmarie Apter Halpern Memorial Community Service Prize

Any Year


This prize is awarded annually to a student who is enrolled in the undergraduate program at Goucher College and who has demonstrated, through word and deed, leadership in combating prejudice and fostering good relations between groups and individuals with the college community or community at large. The purpose of the award is to recognize leadership in community service and to encourage other students to emulate the recipient. The recipient shall display an understanding of and sensitivity and respect for the special ethnic, racial, and religious diversity of our society and the uniqueness of individuals.

Ruth Baird Thompson Award

Presented to one or more Goucher students enrolled in the undergraduate program. Preference is given to those students who demonstrate academic excellence and exceptional leadership in extra and co-curricular activities.

Evenden Daley Herman ’37 Prize

The Evenden Daley Herman Prize provides need-based financial aid to a full-time international or immigrant student at Goucher College who has demonstrated leadership and service in college and/or community activities and who promotes understanding among people of different nations.

Rhoda M. Dorsey Leadership Award

Any Year


The Dorsey Award is presented annually to a student who represents sustained leadership, commitment, teamwork, ingenuity, and ability to work with fellow students, faculty, staff, and administration. It is presented with a gift and is recognized at Honors Convocation. This award is chosen by the Student Life staff based on recommendations by the selection committee.

Jennifer Margolis Marquez ’01 Prize in Environmental Sustainability

Any Year


The Margolis Marquez Prize is granted annually to students who are enrolled in good standing in the undergraduate program at Goucher College who demonstrate outstanding innovation and creativity in developing practical applications to environmental/ecological sustainability that have been implemented at Goucher College.

The Mazer Family Fund

The Mazer Family Prize Fund aims to provide an annual award to a student who is enrolled in the undergraduate program at Goucher College and exhibits an entrepreneurial spirit with “out of the box thinking.” Preference may be given to a student in the business management program. This prize is open to all changemaking students, of all classifications, including transfer students and students who may be overlooked for traditional academic prizes.

Martha A. Nichols Prize

Any Year


This prize is awarded annually at the Honors Convocation to a student who, upon the recommendation of the Dean of Students, is considered to have rendered outstanding service to the college community during the year. Jane Dummer ‘59 in honor of Martha Arnold Nichols established this prize in 1976.

Elizabeth Nuss Emerging Leader Award

First-Year Students, Sophomores


The Nuss Emerging Leader Award is presented annually to a first- or second-year student who has contributed significantly to the Goucher community through his/her involvement in a campus organization (club, committee, team, performance group, etc.) or a community service program. The nominee must also show significant potential for continued leadership and civic engagement.

Senior Leadership Awards

Seniors Only


Individuals are recognized for their continuous service, leadership, and commitment to the Goucher Community Principles during their time as a student at the College. Nominees have demonstrated proficiency in several of the following areas of a period of two (2) or more years: exceptional ability to chair or conduct student meetings for clubs, houses, or student organizations; effectiveness in organizing campus-wide activities; unusual capacity to work with peers; initiative in rousing sustained campus interest in pertinent topics or activities; support, interest, and enthusiasm for the mission and goals of the College; vision and foresight to work with change for the good of the College and one's peers; and/or service to the College.

Pearl Simon Award 

The Pearl Simon Award has been established to provide the means for undergraduate students to foster their own personal and emotional growth.  We know that relationships, resilience, and reflection are key to students' success in college and in life; this award is designed to make the development of these three R's possible.  When you finish the experience, a written reflection will complete the process. You can be awarded these funds for an opportunity, interaction, or exposure to people, a program, or culture beyond your current life experience.  Projects must be at least one month (or January term) in length.

 

Nominations & Applications

Any faculty, staff, or student is invited to nominate a student for one or more of the awards. A comprehensive nomination explains the nominee's contributions and accomplishments with specific examples (including the “what” and “how” in the examples) and provide an understanding of how the nominee's accomplishments and contributions affected the community, inside and outside of the Goucher campus.

Students may also nominate themselves, which is then considered an application. In place of a nomination letter, student applicants should submit a cover letter describing the same ideas for consideration. 

The deadline to submit a nomination or application is 5 pm, March 15, 2024. Late nominations or applications are not accepted. Incomplete nominations or applications are also not considered. 

Submit a Nomination (May need Campus Groups to access)

Nominations are reviewed by a committee of staff, faculty, and student representatives, unless otherwise denoted. Nominated students are notified via email of their nomination, and asked to submit a current resume. 

Recipients will be notified of their selection by May 1, 2024. 

Student Leader Awards will be given at Honors Convocation on May 10, 2024.