In addition to five awards for teaching excellence, 191 students received academic achievement prizes, prize scholarships and other recognition at Hamilton's 55th annual Class & Charter Day convocation on Friday, May 6, in the Chapel. Among the top prizes, Jason Hecht '06 (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) won the Milton F. Fillius Jr./Joseph Drown Prize Scholarship and Alexandra Sear '05 (Canterbury, Conn.) was awarded the James Soper Merrill Prize. A total of 191 students won other prizes and scholarships for public speaking, writing and achievement in all academic disciplines.
Professor of Religious Studies Jay G. Williams gave the Class & Charter Day address titled "The Good Old Days?"
The Milton F. Fillius Jr./Joseph Drown Prize Scholarship, established by the Joseph Drown Foundation and named in memory of Milt Fillius, Jr. '44, is awarded to a student completing the junior year who has been very successful academically, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities while at Hamilton and who is likely to make a significant contribution to society in the future.
The James Soper Merrill Prize, established in memory of James Soper Merrill by his cousin, James P. Soper, Class of 1911, 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.
