Those who make a difference in their communities are often recognized by awarding them with a Sydney Prize. These awards can be a great way to encourage people to continue making a positive impact in the world. They can also help increase the visibility of their work, which is always a good thing. There are many different types of Sydney prizes that can be awarded, with each one having a specific set of criteria for who should receive it.
The Sidney Hook Memorial Award recognizes national distinction in three endeavors: scholarship, undergraduate teaching, and leadership in the cause of liberal arts education. The Society publishes a call for nominations a year and a half in advance of its Triennial Council Meeting, in the Key Reporter and on its website. The winner is announced at that meeting and in the following issue of the Journal of the Society of Fellows.
Another prestigious award is the Hillman Prize, which is awarded to writers and journalists who pursue social justice and public policy in service of the common good. This prize is named after a union leader who worked to build a vibrant union movement that went beyond shop floor issues. Past winners include Ta-Nehisi Coates for his essay on America’s history of black plunder and white democracy, as well as Amanda Hess for her article about online sexism. The prize is awarded each month and can be won by anyone who works in journalism in the U.S. and Canada.
There are also several Sydney prizes that honor young writers. The Neilma Sydney Short Story Prize, sponsored by Overland magazine and the Neilma Sydney Foundation, gives young writers a chance to demonstrate their skills each month with the winner being published in Overland as well as online. This competition is open to everyone worldwide and there are a number of ways to enter, including purchasing a new subscription to Overland or entering a piece that focuses on a particular theme.
Sidney prizes are also available for those who wish to promote science. These prizes can be awarded to individuals for writing or speaking about the benefits of science, encouraging others to get involved in the field, and even creating new technologies that could benefit humanity. In addition to monetary rewards, those who win the Sidney prize can expect recognition from many different organizations and groups.
The Iwanter Prize is given annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding humanities-based scholarship of a broad and interdisciplinary nature. The award is made possible by a gift from the family of Sidney E. Iwanter, a former Hamilton chemistry professor and chairman of the Department of Chemistry and Physics. The winning student is invited to speak at the College of Letters and Science Baccalaureate service in the spring. Nominees are chosen by the faculty from a list of undergraduate seniors submitted by their departments and by the Vice President for Student Affairs. The recipient is announced at the undergraduate faculty meeting in early April.