Department  of Economics

Undergraduate Honors and Awards

Harold M. Groves Undergraduate Economics Prize is awarded each year to the outstanding graduating senior in economics. The criteria for selection include distinguished scholarly achievement, as evidenced by a superior grade point average and an outstanding research paper or senior thesis. This prize carries a $100 cash award. You may and are encouraged to nominate yourself if you meet the criteria. 

Anna M. Ely Undergraduate Economics Award is presented each year to one or more outstanding graduating seniors in economics. The criteria for selection include distinguished scholarly performance, as evidenced by a superior grade point average, an outstanding research paper or senior thesis, or some combination of these things. Nominations are solicited from the faculty or from personal nomination. This prize carries a $100 cash award.

 Senior Thesis Award is presented each spring for the best senior thesis in economics written during the prior calendar year. Nominations are solicited from the faculty or personal nomination, which must include a supporting letter and a copy of the thesis. The Prizes and Awards Committee reviews these nominations and its file of senior theses and will select a winner. This prize carries a $100 cash award.

 Gerald G. Somers Undergraduate Essay Award is presented each spring to the student writing the best undergraduate paper in economics during the prior calendar year. Nominations from the faculty or personal nomination must include a supporting letter and copy of the student's paper. This prize carries a $75 cash award.

 The Frank W. Taussig Article Award is a national competitive award bestowed upon the undergraduate or recent graduate in economics submitting the best article in any year. Articles may be on any topic in Economics. They must be based on work done as an undergraduate. Entries of up to 5,000 words are preferred but up to 10,000 words are accepted. Members of Omicron Delta Epsilon who are undergraduate students or have received their bachelor's degree in the previous year are eligible. Students may be nominated by faculty or by personal nomination. These papers will be reviewed in May of each year and the nominee selected. The entry must be forwarded to the Editor of the Award not later than November 30th. An international selection board will then review all entries and announce the award winner by approximately March 1. The Frank W. Taussig Award consists of a cash prize of $250 to the winner, $100 to the winner's chapter, and publication of the paper in The American Economist.