Endowed Faculty Professorships and Fellowships, Awards, and Grants
Professorships
The Robert Emory Blackwell Professor of Humanities is named in honor of Dr. Blackwell, the distinguished 10th president of Randolph-Macon College. Professor Robert Emory Blackwell was elected president and held the position until his death in 1938. He entered Randolph-Macon at the age of 14 as a member of the first student body in Ashland. Except for one year of study in Europe, he spent 70 years on campus as a student, instructor, professor, and president.
The Macon and Joan Brock Professorship in Psychology was established in 2008 by Joan and Macon Brock ’64. It recognizes a senior member of the psychology department for exemplary teaching and scholarship.
The Dorothy and Muscoe Garnett Professorship in Mathematics was established in 2008 through a bequest from Dorothy and Muscoe Garnett ’30 of Suffolk, Virginia. This award acknowledges an exceptional member of the department of mathematics.
The A.G. Ingram Professorship in English was established in 1998 by Alexis Gordon Ingram, Randolph-Macon College Class of 1961, to recognize and promote exemplary teaching and scholarship. The chair is awarded to a senior member of the department of English.
The Dudley P. & Patricia C. Jackson Professorship in Chemistry was established in 2000 by the late Patricia Custer Jackson ’45, to recognize and support a distinguished member of the college’s department of chemistry. The position is named for Mrs. Jackson, a noted plant physiologist, and her late husband, a distinguished physician and alumnus of the college.
The James L. Miller Professorship in Political Science was established in 2018 by James L. “Jim” Miller ‘52 to recognize and promote exemplary teaching and scholarship. The professorship is awarded to an accomplished, senior member of the Political Science Department.
The Stavros Niarchos Professorship in Classics was established in 2009 by the Niarchos Foundation to benefit the classics department, in general, and supports, specifically, the work of Randolph-Macon’s excavations in the Agora (ancient marketplace) in Athens, Greece.
The Garnett-Lambert Professorship in Chemistry, originally named The Lambert Fund in Chemistry was created in 1925 to honor alumnus, Jordan Wheat Lambert, Class of 1872. In 2008, this fund was significantly bolstered by gifts from the Estate of Muscoe Garnett, Class of 1930, and renamed The Garnett-Lambert Professor- ship in Chemistry. This fund recognizes a distinguished member of the chemistry department.
The Charles J. Potts Professorship was initiated in 1995 by a bequest from the estate of Charles J. Potts ’32, to recognize an outstanding member of the faculty in a social science discipline.
The Edward W. Seese Professorship in Business and Economics was established in memory of Edward W. Seese, a distinguished businessman who was a member of the Class of 1929.
The Jean Renner Short Professorship in Liberal Arts was created in 2010 to honor Jean Renner Short, loyal friend of the college. This professorship will attest both to her commitment to higher learning and to her affection for Randolph-Macon College.
The Shelton H. Short III Professorship in Liberal Arts was established in 2010 to honor Dr. Shelton H. Short III, who was a friend of the college and the son of the late Shelton H. Short, Jr., a member of the Class of 1918. His great-grandfather, William Goode, introduced the legislation in the Virginia Senate which later became Randolph-Macon’s Charter. This professorship honors Dr. Short’s commitment to liberal arts and sciences.
The I.N. Vaughan Professorship is named for Isaac Newton Vaughan, Jr., an alumnus of the Class of 1898 and a member of the college’s Board of Trustees. The professorship is awarded to a member of the history department faculty.
The Watts Professorship was established in 1979 in memory and gratitude to Stephen H. Watts, a member of the Class of 1896. Although the holder of this professorship will normally be one whose academic discipline is either biology or physics, in exceptional circumstances, he/she may be from another physical science.
The Paul H. Wornom, M.D. Professorship in Biological Sciences was established in 1999 by Dr. Wornom, a member of the Class of 1937, to recognize and promote exemplary teaching and scholarship. The chair is awarded to a senior member of the science faculty committed to enhancing the pre-med program for the college.
Fellowships
The Karl Peace Fellowship in Mathematics was established in 2015 with a gift from Karl E. Peace, a noted scientist, researcher, professor, philanthropist, and former tenured professor of mathematics at Randolph-Macon College. The Fellowship provides funds to help Randolph-Macon College attract, recruit, and retain outstanding faculty in the Department of Mathematics by making available to them both funds and awards established explicitly to encourage their further outstanding accomplishments at Randolph-Macon.
The John B. Werner Fellowship in Liberal Arts was established in 2020 by the Board of Directors of The Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation in memory of Mr. Werner and to recognize his significant impact to the philanthropic efforts of The Cabell Foundation during his 15-year tenure as its executive director.
Awards
The Thomas Branch Awards for Excellence in Teaching were established in 1969 by a grant from the Cabell Foundation as a memorial to Thomas Branch, a member of the Board of Trustees of the college in 1859. Awards are given to up to three members of the faculty each year for excellence in teaching.
The Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award, established in 1977 by Mrs. Samuel Nelson Gray, is awarded annually to an outstanding member of the faculty or the administration.
The Noë-Kilgore Award, established several years ago by an anonymous alumnus of the college, honors Randolph-Macon College faculty emeriti. The award is named in honor of retired Randolph-Macon professors Bill Noë and Pete Kilgore.
Grants
The Chenery Research Professorships were established by an endowment from Alan J. Chenery, Jr. Professorship Grants are awarded annually on a competitive basis to full-time faculty from the departments of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics.
The Walter W. Craigie Teaching and Research Grants were established by Walter W. Craigie to support and sustain faculty research and other scholarly activity and to ensure the academic vitality of the faculty. Funds are provided on a competitive basis.
The Rashkind Faculty Grants were established by a gift from the Rashkind Family Foundation. These grants are awarded to members of the Randolph-Macon College faculty to assist in the pursuit of advanced study and/or sabbatical leaves. Funds are provided on a competitive basis.
The Wornom-Rippe Faculty Endowment was established in 2010 by Peter Rippe and his wife, Maria Wornom Rippe. This fund will help Randolph-Macon attract and successfully recruit outstanding new faculty by making available to them both funds and awards established explicitly to encourage their further outstanding accomplishment once they begin work at Randolph-Macon.
Student Prizes and Awards
The following prizes and awards are presented annually, unless otherwise noted.
The American Chemical Society Award is presented to a senior chemistry major chosen by the chemistry department faculty.
The American Institute of Chemists Award is presented to a senior chemistry major chosen by the chemistry department faculty.
The Bennett Memorial Historical Award, established in 1899 by Bishop James Cannon, Jr., D.D. and Mrs. Laura Bennett Cannon, in memory of Mrs. Cannon’s father, the sixth president of Randolph-Macon College, is given for the best historical essay.
The Edwin W. Bowen Prize in Advanced Latin was given by an anonymous friend of the college in memory of Dr. Edwin W. Bowen, professor of Latin for 45 years. The award is given to the student who has done the most outstanding work in Latin.
The Branch Oratory Medal, established prior to 1924, is awarded to students who have earned recognition for excellence in intercollegiate public debating. Excellence will be defined as winning individual or team awards at three tournaments.
The Mathilde de Brylkine French Prize, awarded for excellence in French language and literature, was established by Mrs. Georgina Childs, late wife of the late Honorable J. Rives Childs, Class of 1912, in honor of her mother.
The Hall Canter Memorial Award in Chemistry, established anonymously by an alumnus in 1948 in honor of the late Dean Canter, is awarded under conditions determined by the chemistry department.
The Henry and Genevieve Chenault Arts Award may be awarded annually by the department of arts faculty to a student or students who demonstrate innovation and extraordinary creativity in the study of fine arts. The award is intended to encourage students who seek either to take artistic chances and reach for new levels of achievement in the arts or to make meaningful connections between the arts and other academic courses or endeavors.
The Georgina Childs Spanish Prize is awarded for excellence in Spanish language and literature.
The Asbury Christian Award, established in memory of the Reverend Asbury Christian, D.D., 1866-1936, is given annually to the outstanding pre-ministerial student on the basis of character, scholarship, and leadership.
The George P. Compton Award is presented to a male student who exhibits athletic ability, academic achievement, leadership, and sportsmanship.
The William Neal Cunningham Memorial Fund was established in memory of a member of the Class of 1968 by his family, friends, and classmates to be awarded to a student in non-medical biology.
The Susan Locke deNagy Award is presented to a female student who exhibits athletic ability, academic achievement, leadership, and sportsmanship.
The Barbara Sylvia Doggett Award was established in 2010 by her husband, Robert V. Doggett, Jr. ’57 and children, Philip V. Doggett, Valerie Doggett Sikora, and Gregory R. Doggett, to reward the most outstanding music major at Randolph-Macon College.
The Barbara S. Doggett French Fellowship Fund was established in 2015 by her husband, Robert V. Doggett, Jr. ’57, to memorialize and perpetuate Barbara’s love of the French language. The fellowship is a merit based competitive award supporting study by a French student while residing in a French-speaking country.
The Robert V. Doggett, Jr. Award for Academic & Athletic Excellence was created by Robert V. Doggett, Jr. '57 to annually recognize the graduating student-athlete with the highest academic grade point average.
The Emory and Winifred Evans Prize in History was established in 2000 and is awarded annually to recognize and promote high scholarship in the study of history.
The Jerry Garris Student Research Award in Chemistry was established in 2015 by Randolph-Macon Chemistry Professor Dr. Serge H. Schreiner, and his wife, Linda, in honor of Dr. Jerome “Jerry” H. Garris, a highly-respected, former provost and dean at Randolph-Macon who established the SURF program at the college. The Garris Award is given to an outstanding chemistry student.
The Gerd and Johanna Gillhoff Award in German was established in 1986 in memory of Gerd A. Gillhoff, Ph.D., professor of German and former department head at Randolph-Macon from 1958-1976. The award is given annually to the student who has done the most outstanding work in German.
The William S. Gray Award was established by the Gray family to honor Professor William S. Gray, professor and friend of the college, who died in 1992. The award is presented annually to an outstanding senior English major as determined by the English faculty.
The Richard E. Grove Award in Computer Science was established by alumni in 1988 in memory of Dr. Richard E. Grove ’42, founder of the computer science center at Randolph-Macon in 1963. The award is given annually to the student who demonstrates outstanding achievement in the area of computer science.
The Joseph Boyd Haley Prize is restricted to a member of the freshman class who has attained an excellent standard in first-year Greek.
The R. Bowen Hardesty ’32 and R. Bowen Hardesty, Jr. ’63 Award for Innovation in Quality Education was established in 1977 by Dr. R. Bowen Hardesty and is presented to the graduate demonstrating innovation in providing quality education.
The Porter Hardy, Jr. Public Service Fellows Award is given to academically-outstanding students who participate in the Washington, D. C. public service internships in either political science or economics and who are interested in a career in public service.
The William Hesse Memorial Award was established by friends and family in 1986 in memory of William P. Hesse, Ph.D., professor of physics from 1977-1985 and former department head at Randolph-Macon. It is awarded annually to a student who has made significant contribution to the physics department through research, scholarship, or service.
The Interfraternity Council Scholarship Award is given each year by the Interfraternity Council to the pledge who makes the highest academic average.
The Robert Epes Jones Prize was established by an anonymous donor in 1980 in honor of Robert Epes Jones, alumnus of the college and professor emeritus of classics. It is awarded to a graduating major for excellence in classical subjects.
The Pepper and Stuart Laughon Commitment to Community Award, established in 2004-05 by Pepper and Stuart Laughon, is presented annually to a student organization or individual making significant contributions to enrich the lives of others. Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon, Jr. ’59, was devoted to all-things Yellow Jacket. Serving on the Randolph-Macon Board of Trustees, Student Affairs Committee, Athletic Committee, and Greek Alumni Advisory Board, Pepper always put students first. Stuart Laughon’s steadfast support of the Yellow Jackets further evidences the Laughons’ dedication to enriching the lives of our students.
The Eugene Thomas and Carolyn Macleod Long Award in Philosophy provides an annual award for rising seniors who have demonstrated significant promise in the philosophy of religion. Should there not be such a student in any particular year then the award may be made to a student who has demonstrated significant promise in the history of philosophy. Although most recipients of the award are likely to be majors in philosophy, majors in other subjects who have demonstrated significant promise in philosophy may be considered.
The Jon D. Longaker Student Art History Award was established to honor Professor Emeritus Jon Longaker and his lifelong commitment to the arts, the college, and its students. It is presented each year to a senior whose work in art history is outstanding.
Klein-Maloney Fellowship, established in 2010 by Sabra Klein ’92 and her husband, Drew Maloney ’91, supports students who are interested in research opportunities in the lab sciences.
The Joe and Marilyn Mattys Award was created in 2013 by friends, colleagues, former students, and current students in honor of Joe and Marilyn Mattys on the occasion of Joe Mattys’ retirement from Randolph-Macon College. Since coming to Randolph-Macon in 1990, Joe Mattys has served as an active leader, faculty member, theatre director, and chair of the arts department. The Mattys Award is given to an outstanding theatre student.
The Noble R. McEwen–Pi Gamma Mu Award for outstanding achievement in the social sciences was established in 1972 in memory of Noble R. McEwen, professor of psychology at Randolph-Macon for 23 years. The award is presented to the graduating senior majoring in a social science, history, or philosophy who has the highest academic average in those courses.
The W. Schuyler Miller Award is given annually to the most outstanding student in third-year chemistry at Randolph-Macon. The award honors the career of Randolph-Macon College Professor W. Schuyler Miller, Sr., who for 52 years had a distinguished record as a teacher and scholar of chemistry and geology.
The Moore-Peace Prize for Mathematical Scholarship was established in 2004 with a gift from Karl E. Peace, who taught applied mathematics at Randolph-Macon College from 1969-1978. The award was established as a tribute to Ronald L. Moore and his lifelong dedication to Randolph-Macon College including his time as professor and head of the department of mathematics from 1967-2000. Throughout their lives, both Moore and Peace exemplified high standards of academic excellence and character. Awarded to senior mathematics majors who have demonstrated superior academic achievement and promise for graduate study in mathematics.
The Merrill C. Munyan Award, established in 1977 by teachers, former students, and friends to honor the former chairman of the college’s history department, is awarded annually to a student or students for excellence in poetry and prose.
The H. W. Murray Medal for Scholarship, established in 1889 by legacy of Mrs. W. R. Goodwin of Louisa County, Virginia, in memory of her father, is awarded to the member of the graduating class having the highest average for the entire degree course.
The H. Burnell Pannill Award in Philosophy and the Humanities was established in 1981 by Mrs. Mary Alleta Pannill to honor her late husband, an alumnus and the chairman of the philosophy department, which he established at Randolph-Macon. The award is given annually to a graduating senior who demonstrates both an outstanding ability in the humanities and “a perception of philosophy as the living account of the constant questioning where there are no final answers.”
The Ladell Payne Writing Prize was established by Professor Emeritus and Mrs. Robert Epes Jones to honor a student in an American or English literature survey course for having written the best essay in the fall semester. This annual award’s recipient is determined by the English faculty and is named in honor of Randolph-Macon’s 13th president, Dr. Ladell Payne.
The William A. Shepard Memorial Chemistry Medal, established in 1903, honors Major William A. Shepard who joined the Randolph-Macon faculty in 1858 to organize and direct a department of agricultural chemistry. The medal is presented to the student showing excellence in organic chemistry.
The Smithey Mathematics Medal was established by Mrs. Royall Bascom Smithey in memory of her husband, an alumnus of the college and for 40 years its professor of mathematics.
The Stevenson Holy Land Travel and Study Award was established by an alumnus, the Rev. A. L. Stevenson, in memory of his wife, and is awarded to a pre-ministerial student or to a religious studies major. The recipient is given the opportunity to study and travel in Israel.
The Student Education Association Academic Achievement Award is given annually by the education department to the outstanding senior education major.
The Student Education Association Service Award is given annually by the education department to the senior education major who most consistently worked to promote the education department and education in general.
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan Awards, established by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation of New York in 1970, are awarded annually to those who serve others.
The Sutherlin Oratory Medal, established in 1872, is awarded to students who have earned recognition for excellence in intercollegiate parliamentary debating. Excellence will be defined as winning individual or team awards at two tournaments.
The George Spotswood Tarry Prize is awarded to a junior or senior religious studies major who embodies the personal and social values and the academic excellence to which Professor Tarry was committed.
The David Trent Prize in English is awarded in memory of David Harman Trent (1941-1963) who attended Randolph-Macon from September 1960 to June 1963. The prize is awarded to a junior or senior who has shown unusual ability in the study of poetry.
The Janet Harvey Trivette ’78 and W. Porter Harvey, Jr. Endowed Student Award, established in memory of Janet Harvey Trivette ’78, is awarded to a student who is completing coursework at Randolph-Macon College. The award recipient will have demonstrated Janet’s distinctive characteristics of compassion, generosity of spirit, and leadership.
The Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award presented at Randolph-Macon since 1993, is given to an outstanding business and/or economics student by the economics and business department.
The Walton Latin Prize, established in 1872 by George E. M. Walton of Hanover County, Virginia, is awarded annually to a student for excellence in first-year Latin.
The Walton Prize for Greek Scholarship was established in 1872 by Mr. George E. M. Walton of Hanover County, Virginia.
The Rice Warren Award is presented annually to a married couple (one of whom is a full-time student) that has made noteworthy contributions to student life.
The Wightman Bell Award was established by Robert V. Doggett, Jr. '57 to annually recognize the athletic team with the highest percentages of players who make a gift to the Yellow Jacket Club.