To be eligible for graduation awards, students must complete at least 56 credits at John Jay College (52 credits for those who entered the college with an associate degree) with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Note: some awards require a higher grade point average. Awards that support graduate studies must be used beginning no later than the fall semester of the fourth academic year following graduation.
Simone Ackerman French Excellence Award
This award is given to a senior with the highest GPA in first- and second-year French courses who will pursue the study of French. It is given in memory of Dr. Simone Ackerman, a scholar at John Jay College for seven years who promoted French and the French culture.
Dorothy and Solomon Bohigian Operations Research Award
This award, established by Professor Emeritus Haig Bohigian to honor the memory of his parents, recognizes the graduating senior who has best demonstrated excellence and originality in Operations Research.
Distinguished Service Awards
Application required
The John Jay College Committee on Undergraduate Honors, Prizes and Awards grants the Distinguished Service Awards each year to five graduating seniors who have made significant contributions of service to the College. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Albert Elias Memorial Award
Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration
This award was established in memory of Professor Albert Elias by his family and the Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration. An expert in correctional studies, Professor Elias pioneered guided group interaction as an intervention to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents. The award is presented to the graduating correction officer with the highest cumulative grade point average.
Herbert L. Erlanger Wellness Award
This award was established by Professor Jane Katz of the Department of Health and Physical Education in 2008. It is given to the graduating female athlete with the highest cumulative GPA.
Phillip Gisses Award
Department of Public Management
This award was established by Associate Registrar Emerita Jennie Gisses in memory of her husband. It is given to the graduating senior who is a member of the New York City Fire Department or who has the highest grade point average in the Fire Science major. The faculty of the Department of Public Management selects the award winner.
Graduating Scholar Award
This award is presented to a graduating senior with the highest grade point average who entered John Jay College as a freshman. The recipient is verified by the Registrar.
Richard Henry Hommel Award
Department of Communication and Theatre Arts
The Richard Henry Hommel Award was established by alumnus Richard W. Hommel in memory of his son. The award is given to a graduating senior who has made an outstanding contribution to theatrical performances at the College. The faculty of the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts selects the award winner.
Humanities and Justice Award
This award is given to the graduating senior whose prospectus and senior thesis represent the highest standards of research in the study of justice as a humanistic discipline.
Interdisciplinary Studies Award
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Established by the faculty and alumni of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, this award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated not only academic excellence but also the ability to integrate the department’s various disciplines into some common understanding of the human condition. The faculty and alumni of the department select the winner.
Lawrence J. Kaplan Humanities Award
Established by Professor Emeritus of Economics Lawrence J. Kaplan, the award is presented to a graduating senior who has shown excellence in the study of the humanities. Winners are nominated and selected by faculty members, with the participation of Professor Kaplan.
Ruth S. Lefkowitz Mathematics Prize
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
This prize was established by Charles S. Lefkowitz in honor of his wife, Professor Emerita Ruth S. Lefkowitz and former chairperson of the Department of Mathematics. The award is presented to a graduating senior for outstanding academic performance in the Computer Information Systems major. The faculty of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science selects the award winner from nominees with the highest grade point averages in the Computer Information Systems major.
Bernard Locke Award
Department of Psychology
The Department of Psychology established this award in memory of Bernard Locke, professor of psychology and former dean of students. This award is presented to a graduating senior selected by a faculty committee of the Department of Psychology for outstanding achievement in psychology.
Howard Mann Humanitarian Award
This award was established in memory of Dr. Howard Mann, scholar, counselor, educator, humanitarian, associate professor and dean of students (1971–79). The award is presented to a graduating senior who has unselfishly and voluntarily worked for the welfare of others. The Committee on Undergraduate Honors, Prizes and Awards selects the award winner.
Jerome Metzner Award
Department of Sciences
The Department of Sciences established this award in memory of Jerome Metzner, professor of biology. This award is given to the graduating senior who has demonstrated academic excellence in the Forensic Science major. The faculty of the Department of Sciences selects the annual winner.
Robert S. Morrow Prize
Department of Psychology
The Department of Psychology established this award in memory of Professor Robert S. Morrow, the first coordinator of the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology Program. The award is given to one or more graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence in the Forensic Psychology major. The faculty of the Department of Psychology selects the award winner.
Arthur and Elaine Niederhoffer Undergraduate Prize
This award is given to a promising senior in the Forensic Psychology or Criminal Justice major, who has a strong research interest and plans to attend graduate school.
Elaine Noel Award
Department of Psychology
The Department of Psychology established this award in 1999 in memory of Elaine Noel who served as the department’s secretary from 1980 to 1996. The award is given to the forensic psychology student with an excellent record in psychology who has made a special contribution to the John Jay College community.
Outstanding Graduate in English
Department of English
This award, established by Professor Marny Tabb (2011), is given to an exemplary graduating senior in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and leadership in the English program.
Police Foundation Award
Established by Tova Friedler in 2007, this award is given to the graduating senior who is a member of the uniform forces with the highest cumulative GPA.
Leonard E. Reisman Medal
This medal was established in honor of the first president of John Jay College of Criminal Justice. It is awarded to an outstanding member of the senior class for distinguished scholarship and exceptional service to the College. The applicant must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5.
Donald and Leah Riddle Scholarship Award
Established in memory of John Jay College’s second President and his wife Leah, this award is given to the graduating senior with the highest GPA in the Criminal Justice or Legal Studies major. Dr. and Mrs. Riddle believed strongly in the importance of critical and analytical course content for law enforcement officers. After succeeding the College’s first President, Dr. Riddle introduced courses in languages and the humanities to the curriculum.
Armando Rosario Memorial Award
Established by the Auxiliary Police Benevolent Association (APBA) of the City of New York, this award is given in memory of Armando Rosario, one of five New York City Auxiliary Police officers to die in the line of duty. Honoring all who have given their lives, the award is presented to a graduating auxiliary police officer with a high scholastic average. The president of the APBA selects the award winner after a review of the candidate’s cumulative grade point average and assignment. An interview is required.
Scholar-Athlete Award
This award is given to a graduating senior with academic honors who has played on a varsity team for at least two years.
Scholarship and Service Award
The Scholarship and Service Award is given annually by John Jay College to a graduating senior with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 who has demonstrated scholarship and outstanding service to the College. The Committee on Undergraduate Honors, Prizes and Awards selects the award winner.
Anne Schreiber Memorial Award
Center for English Language Support
This award was established by Associate Registrar Emerita Jennie Gisses in memory of her sister Anne. It is given to a graduating senior who has made marked progress in English as a second language. The director of the Center for English Language Support selects the award winner.
Alex Smith Award for Excellence in Criminology
Department of Sociology
The Department of Sociology established this award in honor of Professor Emeritus Alex Smith, one of the founders of the College. The award is given to a graduating senior with the highest grade point average in the Criminology major. The Office of the Registrar identifies award candidates and the faculty of the Department of Sociology selects the award winner.
Petra Shattuck Prize for Distinction in Government
Department of Political Science
The Department of Political Science established this award in memory of Professor Petra Shattuck, whose most significant work centered on the civil rights of Native Americans. The award is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated academic excellence and distinction in the Political Science major. The faculty of the Department of Political Science selects the winner.
Juan Antonio Soto Scholarship Award for Excellence in Spanish
This award was established by Professor Liliana Soto-Fernandez and Professor Emerita Catherine Rovira of the Department of Modern Languages and Literature. It is given to a graduating senior with a minor in Spanish who holds the highest GPA.
Uniformed Fire Officers Association Award
Established in 1999 by the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, this award is presented to a New York City Fire Department officer graduating with a distinguished academic record.
Brother Wagner Award
Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration
The Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration, the Wagner family, and the Order of Christian Brothers established this award in memory of Brother Robert Wagner, Christian Brother, professor, and advocate for the rehabilitation of adolescent offenders. The award is given to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average in the Correctional Studies major. The Registrar’s Office identifies candidates and the faculty of the Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration selects the award winner.
Christopher Williams Memorial Scholarship
This award was established in memory of Christopher Williams, a dedicated college admissions counselor, by his wife, Sara Scaldafferry. It is given to a graduating senior with the highest GPA, who is registered with the Office of Accessibility Services.