UMass Boston

Honors for Graduating Seniors

There are five categories of student awards that UMass Boston presents to economics majors who graduate with outstanding records. These are the Leonard J. Kirsch Memorial Prize, the Joann P. Stewart Prize, the Alice E. Trost Memorial Prize, Senior Honors, and Distinction in Economics.

The National Economics Honors Society

The UMass Boston chapter of the national Economics Honors Society (Omicron Delta Epsilon) is open to students who have completed 12 or more credits in economics and have earned a 3.0 grade point average both overall and in their economics courses. The fee required for joining the Honors Society, all of which is submitted to its national headquarters, covers the cost of a certificate and a subscription to its journal. Many students find that membership in the Economics Honors Society provides an impressive addition to their resumes when it comes time to look for employment. If you are interested in signing up, you should contact the faculty advisor.

The Leonard J. Kirsch Memorial Prize

Each year the department chooses an outstanding economics graduate to receive the Kirsch Memorial prize, established in memory of a former faculty member. A significant factor in awarding the prize is a graduate's grade point average in economics courses.

The Alice E. Trost Memorial Prize

Each year the department chooses an outstanding economics graduate to receive the Trost Memorial prize, established in memory of a former faculty member. A significant factor in awarding the prize is a graduate's grade point average in economics courses.

The Joann P. Stewart Prize

Most years the department will choose an outstanding economics graduate to receive this prize, established in honor of the first woman to retire from the department (and one who was always particularly interested in the progress of women in the field of economics).

The Joanne Spitz Scholarship

A former student of Professor Joanne Spitz (who is currently teaching in the Department) donated the funding to create the scholarship in 2015. The scholarship is awarded to an economics major who is at junior level at the University of Massachusetts Boston. To be eligible for the scholarship applicants must have earned 60-89 credits and must have demonstrated excellence in economics at UMass Boston. The Department gave out the first award of the scholarship in Spring 2016.

Senior Honors

In order to graduate with Senior Honors, a student must successfully complete the Senior Honors Thesis Program.

Distinction in Economics

Economics majors may graduate with Distinction in Economics if they have outstanding cumulative grade point averages both overall and in their economics courses. The precise criteria may change from year to year; in recent years, the requirement has typically been to have earned a grade point average of at least 3.60 in economics courses and an overall cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50.

Joann P. Stewart Scholarship Award

Each spring the Economics Department awards one scholarship (of about $500) to an outstanding economics major completing his or her junior year. The scholarship is named after Joann P. Stewart, former Professor of Economics at UMass Boston, as a tribute to her commitment to the University and her interest in labor relations. For more information, see our website or the Stewart Award application.