Senior Awards

A Gold Key may be awarded in each concentration to one graduating senior who has achieved a high degree of excellence in their chosen academic field. The criteria for the Gold Key awards are: a minimum 3.50 GPA based on all credits in the major field completed through the January semester of the year of Commencement; a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 through the January semester of the year of Commencement; 60 or more credits scheduled to be completed at MMC through the Spring semester of the year of Commencement; self-reliance in independent learning and research ability; written clarity of expression; verbal clarity of expression and breadth of purpose. Faculty members in each department decide on the recipient of the Gold Key award. There may be one honorable mention for each Gold Key. Two Gold Keys and two Honorable Mentions may be awarded in Communication and Media Arts.

A Certificate in a Minor may be awarded in each minor to one graduating senior who has achieved a high degree of excellence in this field of study. The criteria for this certificate are a minimum GPA of 3.50 based on all credits in the minor field completed through the January semester of the year of Commencement and a minimum of 60 credits completed at MMC through the Spring semester of the year of Commencement. Faculty members in each minor select the recipient from among eligible students.

Each year, Marymount Manhattan College bestows five Awards of Distinction to graduating seniors who, during their time at Marymount Manhattan College, have made exceptional contributions in the areas of educational achievement, leadership, service and spirit. The College’s Awards Committee, composed of faculty and staff, review all complete applications and make decisions based on merit. The winners also receive recognition in the Commencement Program.

The Rowley Founder’s Medal

Established in memory of Mother Rita Rowley, founder of Marymount Manhattan College (MMC). The Rowley Founder’s Medal is awarded to the senior who, through extraordinary determination and effort, has been able to overcome adversity to attain educational achievement. 

The Raymunde McKay Award

Established in memory of Sister Raymunde McKay, the first President of Marymount Manhattan College, the Raymunde McKay Award is awarded to the senior who has made an outstanding contribution toward meeting the problems and demands of our society through service at MMC and in the larger community. 

The MMC Crest

Established by the College in memory of Mother Joseph Butler, who was responsible for establishing a network of colleges throughout the United States called “Marymount;” the MMC Crest is awarded to the senior who has best demonstrated the spirit and embodiment of the educational mission of MMC: academic excellence and leadership within a strong liberal arts program. 

The Trustees’ Award

In recognition of student leadership and volunteerism, the Trustees’ Award is awarded to a senior who has made a significant contribution to the building of community among the students at Marymount Manhattan College. 

The Alumni Association Medal

This medal is awarded to the senior who has shown outstanding leadership and has made the most noteworthy contribution to Marymount.  Serving as an alumni liaison for her/his/their class, the recipient of this medal will work closely with the Alumni Office and the Alumni Leadership Council.  Students may include ONE additional recommendation from an MMC student in addition to a required faculty/staff recommendation.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Students apply for the Awards of Distinction:

1. After viewing the descriptions of the individual Awards of Distinction, please complete the Awards of Distinction Application for the award(s) you choose to apply for:

2. Write a personal statement describing why you believe you are deserving of the specific award(s). No more than 250 words. One personal statement should encompass all awards for which you are applying. Please note, each award has different criteria, and your letter statement should reflect the spirit of the awards you are applying for.

3. Ask a faculty or staff to email a recommendation letter(s) to graduation@mmm.edu with the subject line “Awards of Distinction Recommendation.” One recommendation letter is required and no more than (3) three recommendation letters should be submitted.

4. All recommendations must be received by the application deadline date (Friday, March 19, 2021) or else the entire application will be deemed incomplete and not considered by the Committee.

NOTE: If you are applying for the Alumni Association Award you can also submit an additional recommendation from a current MMC student. This recommendation letter is not required, and can be submitted to graduation@mmm.edu.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE
The Awards of Distinction Application and recommendation letter(s), must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 19, 2021. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered by the Committee.

The Awards of Distinction application will be available by February 19, 2021.

The College Honors Program (CHP) graduates are recognized for their participation in this academically demanding program that challenges them intellectually and creatively. More information on the CHP can be found here.

Honor Cords are special cords given to a cohort of students to indicate their membership in various academic and student leadership activities. They should be worn around the neck on the outside of a student’s cap and gown. At MMC, Honor Cords are given to members of the National Honor Societies, the College Honors Program, Core Council, Senior Marshals, and Veteran students.

The Honor Cords will be mailed to the graduating students in the Spring 2021 semester.

Seniors have an opportunity to recognize staff and faculty who have most impacted their time at MMC. After all nominations have been collected, candidates will be announced, and graduating seniors will vote from a list of nominated staff and faculty.

Award winners cannot be nominated two years in a row.

OUTSTANDING ADMINISTRATOR (STAFF) AWARD

Please nominate a full-time staff member who has been supportive to you during your years at MMC.

OUTSTANDING FACULTY MEMBER AWARD
Please nominate up to 5 full-time members of the Faculty (1 for each Division) who have significantly impacted you during your years at MMC.

Senior-Nominated Faculty & Staff Awards past recipients have included:

Year	Name	Award
2020	Ben Giuliana	Staff Member
2020	Emily Goldsmith, Ph.D.	Business
2020	Laura Tropp, Ph.D.	Communication and Media Arts
2020	Catherine Cabeen, MFA	Fine and Performing Arts
2020	Andreas Hernandez, Ph.D.	Humanities and Social Sciences
2020	Nava Silton, Ph.D.	Sciences
2019	Carly Schneider	Staff Member
2019	Lorraine Martínez-Novoa, Ph.D.	Business
2019	Peter Schaefer, Ph.D.	Communication and Media Arts
2019	Robert Dutiel, MFA	Fine and Performing Arts
2019	Lauren Erin Brown, Ph.D.	Humanities and Social Sciences
2019	Deirtra Hunter-Romagnoli, Ph.D.	Sciences
2018	Denice Alwaiz	Staff Member
2018	Gunjali Trikha, Ph.D.	Business
2018	Jennifer Dixon, Ph.D.	Communication and Media Arts
2018	Melissa Tonning-Kollwitz, MFA	Fine and Performing Arts
2018	Carrie-Ann Biondi, Ph.D.	Humanities and Social Sciences
2018	Benedetta Sampoli Benitez, Ph.D.	Sciences
2017	Mary Brown	Staff Member
2017	Andrea Tsentides, Ph.D.	Business
2017	Erin Greenwell, MFA	Communication and Media Arts
2017	Mary Fleischer, Ph.D.	Fine and Performing Arts
2017	Cecilia Feilla, Ph.D.	Humanities and Social Sciences
2017	Ann Aguanno, Ph.D.	Sciences

 

The nomination form will be available in the Spring 2021 semester.

The Silver M is awarded to up to thirty (30) graduating seniors who have shown student leadership and service to MMC during their years at the College. Students who receive this prestigious honor will be announced at the Senior Awards Ceremony. Recipients of the Silver M Award will also receive recognition in the Commencement Program.

NOMINATOR:

Only administrators, faculty, and staff may nominate a student. Nominators should focus on personal knowledge of the student’s involvement, leadership, service to the college, and outstanding accomplishments. Please complete the Silver M Award Nomination Form below if you (administrator, faculty, and staff) would like to nominate a student.

CRITERIA:

Must be a current graduating senior.

Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Demonstrate leadership and service to MMC through participation in campus activities, involvement in Registered Student Organizations, and service that is decidedly above average.

NOMINATION PROCESS:

All nominated students will be evaluated by the Silver M committee, composed of select faculty, staff, and administrators. This process is confidential; no disclosure will be made to the nominees until after the recipients are chosen.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 

The Silver M application will be available by February 19, 2021.