C.J. Gray and Mace Awards

C. J. Gray Award

The C.J. Gray Award was established in 1973 by the Richmond College Class of 1933 in honor of their classmate, Clarence J. Gray.

The C.J. Gray Award is given to graduating seniors who are members of BOTH Phi Beta Kappa OR Beta Gamma Sigma AND Omicron Delta Kappa OR Mortar Board and who have outstanding four-year records in academic achievement and leadership in their division. Up to four C.J. Gray Awards may be given each year, with one recipient each from:

  • Arts & Sciences – Richmond College
  • Arts & Sciences – Westhampton College
  • Robins School of Business
  • Jepson School of Leadership Studies

A list of eligible seniors from each organization is created each spring. The registrar's office provides transcripts, school affiliation, GPA, class rank, WC/RC standing, and graduation date for each eligible student. Eligible students are then invited to submit their CV and a letter of recommendation from a faculty or instructional staff member describing the applicant's academic and leadership accomplishments. Awardees are selected by the C.J. Gray Awards Selection Committee, which is comprised of the university provost and representatives from Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Mortar Board. 

Nominations are NOT accepted for the C.J. Gray Awards.

Mace Award

The Mace Award was established in 1947. Recorded upon the mace, in each successive year for a full century, beginning with the session of the 1947-48 academic year, is the name of the University's Outstanding Student. In modern society, the “mace” is a ceremonial staff of office, or a symbol of academic or parliamentary authority. Each year, the name of the most outstanding University of Richmond graduating student will be inscribed upon the mace, and that student will have the honor of being the mace bearer during commencement. 

Any student who displays academic achievement, scholarly accomplishments, and campus engagement may be nominated for the Mace Award by a faculty or instructional staff member. 

Each year, faculty are asked to nominate worthy students for this award. Faculty solicit the curriculum vitae from their nominees, and submit this information, along with their letter of nomination to the school from which the student’s (first) degree will be received (contact information below.)

  • For graduates receiving their degree from A&S (Westhampton College): Kristen Phelps kristen.phelps@richmond.edu
  • For graduates receiving their degree from A&S (Richmond College): Maria Lapins mcedeno@richmond.edu
  • For graduates receiving their degree from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies: Kerstin Soderlund ksoderlu@richmond.edu
  • For graduates receiving their degree from the Robins School of Business: Nora Kostyk nkostyk@richmond.edu