Academics / Undergraduate Program / Honors & Awards

Honors & Awards

Departmental Honors

To apply for Departmental Honors in Philosophy, a student must graduate with a 3.5 cumulative GPA or above in PHI courses and write a senior thesis. Students are encouraged to enroll in PHI 395 for support in writing the senior thesis, which should occur second semester senior year but can begin first semester senior year. Deadline to apply for Departmental Honors for those intending to graduate in May is Nov. 30.

Contributions Welcome to Fund Undergraduate Awards

Due to the generosity of alumni, the Philosophy Department was able to make several awards to deserving undergraduate philosophy majors. The Kuiper-DeBoer scholarship is based on academic achievement and financial need, while the Matchette Award and the newly formed Senior Achievement Award are based on academic achievement. The Philosophy Department is grateful to all the past donors whose contributions made it possible to award deserving students in our program. We welcome any donations that will help us continue to support our students’ success.

Undergraduate Awards

Every spring, the Philosophy Department recognizes undergraduates for outstanding work. These awards are separated by year of study, which is calculated by the number of completed semesters of post-secondary education (sophomore two-to-three semesters, junior four-to-five semesters, senior six-to-seven semesters). No letters of recommendation are required, but faculty will be asked for their recommendations. All qualifying majors are automatically nominated for each award; only the Matchette award (junior) requires a paper submission (see below). 

Kuiper-Deboer Award 

To recognize outstanding promise in philosophy and to honor student for outstanding academic performance.
Recipient must be completing sophomore year (three-to-four semesters of post-secondary education). Considerations include GPA in all course work, especially in philosophy; financial need also weighed.
No letter of recommendation is needed. All qualifying students are automatically considered. $500.
   

Franklin J. Matchette Foundation Scholarship (paper submission due March 23rd)

To recognize outstanding achievement and promise in philosophy.
The award must go to a student completing junior year (five-to six semesters) of post-secondary education). Considerations include: GPA in all course work and especially in philosophy, breadth of study in philosophy, and quality of written work based on one paper submitted for review.  $500
 
***Please submit paper for consideration to eric.sanday@uky.edu by Monday, March 23. Papers will be read by a select committee of Philosophy Department faculty. Paper parameters are flexible, given that they can originate from very different sources. For advice and one-on-one help with your submission, see Eric Sanday or approach any faculty member of your choice.
    

Senior Achievement Award(s)

To recognize outstanding achievement, and to provide an incentive for senior students to excel; several students may divide this award.
Students completing their senior year (seven-to-eight semesters of post-secondary education) are eligible. 
Considerations include: GPA in all course work and especially in philosophy.
No letter of recommendation needed. All qualifying students are automatically considered. $100-$1,000
 
 

Award Recipients

2024-25  Award Recipients

  • Luke Williams (Kuiper-De Boer Award)
  • Owen Meyer (Franklin J. Matchette Foundation Award)
  • Calvin Higdon (Senior Award)
  • Cara Howe (Senior Award)
  • Rachel Hwang (Senior Award)
  • Brenna Staser (Senior Award)

 

2023-24  Award Recipients

  • Laken Tackett  (Kuiper-De Boer Award).
  • Rachel Hwang (Franklin J. Matchette Foundation Award).
  • Carson Loring (Senior Award).

 

2022-23 Award Recipients

  • Julia King (Kuiper-De Boer Award).
  • Rick Marino & Brenna Staser (Franklin J. Matchette Foundation Award).
  • Carleigh Parr (non-graduating Senior Award).
  • Robert Webb III (graduating Senior Award).
2023 Undergrad Awards

2022-23 Recipients Pictured Left to Right: Carleigh Parr, Julia King, Rick Marino, Robbie Webb III, & Brenna Staser

 

 

2021-22 Award Recipients:

  • Edmund Dye (Kuiper-De Boer Award).
  • Ryan Mckenzie (Franklin J. Matchette Foundation Award).
  • Valarie Newberg & Matthew Chaney (nongraduating Senior Award).
  • Elias Cope Weekley & Christiane Canant (graduating Senior Award).