Julie-Francoise Kruidenier, a candidate for graduation from Hamilton College later this month, was named the recipient of the James Soper Merrill Prize at Hamilton's annual Class and Charter Day on May 10.
The prize is awarded at commencement to that member of the graduating class "who in character and influence, has best typified the highest ideals of the College." Selected by the faculty, the recipient is presented with a gold watch. The James Soper Merrill Prize was established in his memory by his cousin, James P. Soper, class of 1911.
Kruidenier also won the Senior Prize in Comparative Literature, the Hamilton College Book Award in Russian and the Kirkland Endowment Essay Prize in Interdisciplinary Studies. The Senior Prize in Comparative Literature is awarded to the outstanding senior concentrator in that subject, and the Book Award is given to a student who has excelled in the study of Russian. The Kirkland Prize is awarded to the student who writes the best essay on interdisciplinary studies.
A Phi Beta Kappa, comparative literature major at Hamilton, Kruidenier has been active as a resident advisor, a writing center tutor, and the choir. She has been on the Dean's List and the Alexander Hamilton list of outstanding writers. Kruidenier is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bastian Kruidenier of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Complete list of Class and Charter Day Prize recipients
