Prizes
The Anthropology Department is proud to recognize our majors and minors for their passion, academic excellence, research acumen, and dedication to promoting understanding of cultural diversity and global citizenship at Bowdoin and in our communities, more broadly. We award three different prizes.
Award for Engaged Anthropology
One of anthropology’s best-known scholars, Margaret Mead, said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” This prize is awarded to those students majoring or minoring in Anthropology who demonstrate an exemplary engagement in public scholarship and/or community service. Prize recipients may be seniors, juniors, or sophomore anthropology majors or minors and are nominated by themselves, peers, or faculty and staff members.
Elbridge Sibley Prize
The Sibley Prize is a prestigious prize awarded to the Sociology or Anthropology major with highest mid-year general scholastic average in their Bowdoin Class.
David I. Kertzer Prize in Anthropology
The Kertzer Prize is awarded to a senior major for overall excellence in an Honors thesis or Independent Study project. Established in 2009, the prize is named for David I. Kertzer who taught at Bowdoin from 1973 to 1992. Professor Kertzer was the first anthropologist in the joint Department of Sociology and Anthropology.