The High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI) confers several prizes at the end of each academic year that recognize graduating seniors for outstanding research, outreach, and contributions related to the environment. Prize recipients are recognized at the Class Day ceremony for the Program in Environmental Studies.

Each Class Day, HMEI presents prizes to select seniors for outstanding thesis research, or their exceptional engagement with environmental studies. Ben Buchovesky ’23 (right) received the Peter W. Stroh ’51 Environmental Senior Thesis Prize from HMEI Director Gabriel Vecchi (left), for his thesis on the extent to which plant physiological changes in response to CO2 increase.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES SENIOR THESIS PRIZE

The Environmental Studies Senior Thesis Prize recognizes a seniors enrolled in the minor in Environmental Studies who has written an outstanding thesis in the broad area of environmental studies. Nominations are made by departmental thesis advisers.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES BOOK PRIZES

The Environmental Studies Book Prizes recognize students in different categories for outstanding senior thesis research and the ability to communicate the results and significance of their work. The awards are presented in the areas of Environmental Engineering and Applied Sciences, Environmental Humanities, Environmental Natural Sciences, Environmental Performing and Visual Arts, and Environmental Social Sciences. Candidates are interviewed by HMEI faculty and members of the institute’s executive committee, who then select the recipients.

HENRY HORN PRIZE

Established in 2021, the Henry Horn Prize recognizes the graduating senior in the Minor in Environmental Studies who has produced the best visual presentation of their independent research for a broad audience. The prize honors the late Henry Horn, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, emeritus, and founding director of the Program in Environmental Studies.

PETER W. STROH ’51 ENVIRONMENTAL SENIOR THESIS PRIZE

The Peter W. Stroh ’51 Environmental Senior Thesis Prize is awarded to any member of the senior class who has been determined to have written the best thesis on an environmental topic. Students are nominated by their academic departments.

T. A. BARRON PRIZE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

The T. A. Barron Prize for Environmental Leadership honors a member of the senior class who has distinguished themself by showing exceptional dedication to environmental concerns in their classes and independent academic work, as well as by leading and encouraging activities among fellow students and community members.