The Minerva and Emil V. Novak Prize in Government and Law is awarded to a major(s) in the Department of Government and Law who has demonstrated overall excellence in academic work and citizenship in the campus community. Selection is made by the Department. This prize was established in 1964 by Mr. & Mrs. Novak’s daughter, Mrs. Edward B. Foote. Recipients of the prize receive a cash award and are recognized at the College’s annual Honors Convocation.
Junior and senior Government and Law majors who have a proven record of academic excellence will be contacted by the Department in the spring semester and invited to apply for the Prize. The Prize may be awarded to one or more students judged to be deserving of the honor.
2024: Emma Chen and Sophie Himmel
2023: Kaitlyn Ahern, Dylan Gooding, Nathan Kornfeind, Charles Mirsky, and Ry Stratton
2022: Jack Hatzimemos, Kelly Mwaamba and Jillian Updegraff
2021: Thalia Charles, Rachel Cox, Luisa Gunn and Carly Jones
2020: Emily Boyle, Joslyn Brodfuehrer, and Mary Zimmerman
2019: Princess Adeyinka, Julia Dash, Reeve Lanigan, and Daniel Markovits
2018: Connor Burwell, Emma Sherry, Claire Swanson
2017: Katelyn Arnold, William Gordon, Sara Hayet, Kaitlin Kinsella
2016: Andrew Keck, Vanessa Milan, Dante Piccolo
2015: Alyssa Braver, Connor Heinlein, Kidane Kinney
2014: Ryan Monahan, Sara Yeganeh
2013: Alexandra Behette, Anna Eisentein, Jason Goldfarb, Kelly Senters
2012: Juliet Lodi, Madeline Laskoski
2011: Melissa Drennan, Nathan Kenison-Marvin
2010: Jason Pang, Zachary Romano
2009: Alexis Beveridge, Adam Pié, Sara Walter
2008: Kevin Farrell, Alex Naito, Michael Platt, Carolyn Romney
2007: Malorie Ferrick, David Myers, Katherine Okun, Amy Polizzano
2006: Teresa J. Cridge, Lori L. Weaver
2005: Laura J. Capotosto, Josie A. Dykstra, Sarah M. Hazel, John C. Stephenson, Benton M. Wilmoth
2004: Angela M. Guarino; Tessa L. Shambaugh; Devan J. Theiler
2003: Bethany A. Abele, Sarah A. Stocker