Awards and Scholarships

Peter Goldstein, Brunonian '08; Dena Schwartz, Penn '13; and Michael Blitstein, Brunonian '03 holding their Star and Crescent awards.
From left: Peter Goldstein, BRN '08; Dena Schwartz, PENN '13; and Michael Blitstein, BRN '03 holding their Star and Crescent awards.

Seward Scholarships

Seward Scholarships are annual, competitive-based grants given to individuals who demonstrate scholarly achievement, leadership, and significant contributions to their chapter and the community at their college or university. 

These merit-based scholarships are available to all initiated members of the Fraternity or Society who are undergraduates in the current academic year, who will be full-time students for part or all of the next academic year.

  • The Scholarships are named after their original benefactor, Clarence A. Seward (Geneva 1848), who throughout his studies and notable career made multiple donations to help undergraduates reach their academic goals. His understanding of the literary tradition as a treasure worth sharing is the fundamental goal of this scholarship

  • The Foundation awards these scholarships every year, to both Fraternity and Society members. Applications for the Seward Scholarships are released early in the spring semester, and due in early July. Applicants do need to provide a copy of a transcript and 2-3 letters of recommendation that can come from a peer, professor, supervisor, coach, or school administrator.

    Undergraduate Literary Competition

    Alumni Literary Competition

    The Undergraduate Literary Competition annually awards prizes for original literary composition in categories including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, STEM writing, visual art, music, film, and photography. There are cash awards in each category. All fully-initiated undergraduate members of the Fraternity or Society are eligible. Winners are announced at the annual Convention.

    The overall winner will receive The Daniel Pearl Memorial Prize for Literature. Named in honor of Daniel Pearl (Stanford 1985), who was executed by terrorists while reporting from Pakistan for the Wall Street Journal in 2002. The Pearl Prize comes with a cash award of $1,000.

    The Alumni Literary Competition annually awards prizes for original literary composition in categories including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and photography. All fully-initiated members of the Fraternity or Society who are not currently enrolled undergraduate students are eligible. Winners are announced at the annual Convention and have donations made in their name to the literary, arts, or educational charity of their choice.

    Lily of the Valley Award

    The Lily of the Valley Award recognizes outstanding contributions of an undergraduate member to the multitude of communities around them. This award highlights the achievements of members who have internalized the Ideals of Siblinghood and turned them outward, showing the world what it truly means to be an Alpha Delt.

    The Emerald and Pearl Award

    The Emerald and Pearl Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Alpha Delta Phi Society at the National level. This award highlights the achievements of undergraduate members who have left a lasting impact on the Society that will long outlive their undergraduate experience.

    • 2023: Ally Bonhaus, CAP 2023
    • 2023: Emery Miller, BING 2022
    • 2021: Jennifer Cheng, CAP 2021
    • 2021: Ian Kavanaugh, CAP 2020
    • 2019: Nora Hennessey, CAP 2019
    • 2018: Emily Law, CAP 2019
    • 2017: Kylie Madden, CAP 2017
    • 2017: Carolyn Dundes, MID 2017
    • 2016: Breanna Tyrell, URS 2017
    • 2015: Max Morant, PENN 2016

    Sword and Spear Award

    The Sword and Spear Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Alpha Delta Phi Society at the Undergraduate Chapter level. This award highlights the achievements of members who have exemplified leadership and service to an extraordinary level within their respective Chapters, often going above and beyond the call of Siblinghood.

    • 2023: Liv Negro, URS 2023
    • 2023: Ryan Claffey-Oagán, COL 23
    • 2023: Sophia Penn, MID 2023
    • 2022: Alvah Higginson, RPI 2022
    • 2022: Eugene Krumenacker, CAP 2022
    • 2022: Diana Burk, URS 2022
    • 2022: Zoe Boggs, BRN 2022
    • 2022: Madeline Glackin, CAP 2022
    • 2021: Carmen Horn, BRN 2021
    • 2021: Jenna Tishler, BRN 2020
    • 2019: Cailyn Hansen, BRN 2019
    • 2018: Lydia Ramharack, PENN 2018
    • 2017: Sarah Weinbrom, CAP 2017
    • 2016: Alex Moehring, BING 2016
    • 2015: Kaeden Thompson, MID 2015
    • 2014: Christine Chapman, BRN 2014
    • 2013: Michael Rose, BRN 2013
    • 2012: Zachary Wilson, BRN 2012
    • 2011: Phil Arevalo, BRN 2011
    • 2010: Haley Knapp, S 2011
    • 2009: Alexander Sayer Gard-Murray, BRN 2009
    • 2008: Robert C.K. Boyd, MID 2008
    • 2007: Lynn Cartwright-Punnett, MID 2007
    • 2006: Leah Stern, MID 2006
    • 2006: Michael Wasserman, BRN 2006
    • 2005: Chris Guhin, BRN 2005
    • 2004: KJ Iribe, MID 2004
    • 2003: Melissa Marks, COL 2003
    • 2002: George Curts, S 2002
    • 2000: Thomas Clark, BDN 1999

    The Rising Star Award

    The Rising Star Award recognizes outstanding contributions of a young graduate member to the Alpha Delta Phi Society at the National level. This award highlights the achievements of members who have shown early and tireless dedication to supporting and bettering the Phi, breathing new life into the Society and taking it to new heights.

    • 2023: Cailyn Hansen, BRN 2019
    • 2023: Mimi Walczuk, BING 2020
    • 2022: James Aykit, PENN 2021
    • 2022: Carmen Horn, BRN 2021
    • 2021: Haley Brush, URS 2017
    • 2021:Mattingly Gerasimovich, CAP 2020
    • 2021: Chris Jackson, MID 2020
    • 2020: Irissa Cisternino, CAP 2018
    • 2020: Isa Martinez, BRN 2017
    • 2019: Andy Richards, BRN 2019
    • 2018: Alina Lacombe, CAP 2015.5
    • 2018: Tiffany Moustakas, BING 2015

    The Timbers True Award

    The Timbers True Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Alpha Delta Phi Society from a graduate member who has become increasingly engaged in serving at the National level. This award highlights the achievements of members who may have spent time away from the Phi, but come back to us with wisdom and experience, which they synergize with those around them to guide the Society toward new horizons.

    • 2023: Emily Kasbohm, BRN 2018
    • 2022: Alison Errico, BRN 2006
    • 2021: Eric McClelland, BRN 1995

    The Star and Crescent Award

    The Star and Crescent Award recognizes outstanding contributions of a graduate member to the Alpha Delta Phi Society throughout their many years of service. This award highlights the achievements of members whose tireless work and dedication, whose nurturing support and wisdom, and whose steadfast force of character have helped to sustain and grow the Society, such that their influence and impact is still seen today, and will be seen for many more years to come.
    • 2023: Alanna Kwoka, BRN 2010
    • 2023: Ashley Taylor, GRN 2013
    • 2022: Michael Blitstein, BRN 2003
    • 2022: Dena Schwartz, PENN 2013
    • 2022: Peter Goldstein, BRN 2008
    • 2022: Lynn Cartwright-Punnett, MID 2007
    • 2021: Jim Sabo, BDN 1992
    • 2020: Kristen Soule, BRN 1999
    • 2019: Tom Giordano, COL 1986
    • 2018: Joan Charlotte Matelli, MID 1992
    • 2017: Leah Stern, MID 2006
    • 2016: Chad Wolfsheimer, BRN 2000
    • 2016: David Clodfelter, BDN 1989
    • 2014: Thomas Clark, BDN 1999
    • 2013: Paul Neshamkin, COL 1963
    • 2013: Craig Cheslog, BDN 1993
    • 2013: Clay Maitland, COL 1964
    • 2013: Peter Darrow, COL 1972
    • 2013: William Millard, ILL 1980
    • 2013: Terrie Eastmade, BDN 1997
    • 2012: Robert C. Wood, BRN 1958
    • 2012: Zanne Gerrard, MID 1994
    • 2012: KJ Iribe, MID 2004
    • 2011: Greg Smith, S 1988
    • 2011: Joel Parker, S 1991
    • 2011: Christina Van Aken, S 1995
    • 2010: S. Robert Austein, MID 1984
    • 2010: Mary M. Melchior, MID 1983
    • 2010: E. Jenny K. Flanagan, MID 1983
    • 2009: Charles E. Gross, Jr. BRN 1972
    • 2005: David Ehrlich, S 1984
    • 2005: Nessa Burns Reifsnyder, BDN 1986
    • 2005: Timothy N. Smith, BRN 1993
    • 2001: Robert G. McKelvey, MID 1959