Seinfeld Scholar Award 2023-2024 Program Overview
Purpose and goals
Each year, Syracuse University honors the talents of outstanding faculty and students through the Seinfeld Scholar Award, a program made possible by a generous gift from Judith Greenberg Seinfeld ’56, distinguished alumna of Syracuse University and member of the University’s Board of Trustees. Ms. Seinfeld’s endowment honors Chancellor Emeritus Kenneth A. Shaw and Mary Ann Shaw in recognition of their years of devoted service to the University.
The Seinfeld Scholar Award highlights excellence, creativity, and innovation and encourages future contributions to society. The program recognizes those faculty and students:
- Who have (i) “made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world, who have added to human values, and to ending human abuse,”
- Who have (ii) passion for excellence, creativity, and originality in academic or artistic fields, and
- Who demonstrate the (iii) “ability to motivate and bring out the best in others.”
The designation of Seinfeld Scholar is not intended as a prize for past accomplishments so much as encouragement and stimulation for future contributions to society.
Award cycle
The Seinfeld Scholar Award proceeds through a three-year cycle (see chart below). For the first and second years of the cycle, a faculty member receives the award, and in year three, two graduating seniors are selected as the recipients. There are no restrictions on recipients’ use of the funds, nor is a report on the use of the funds required. Ms. Seinfeld may change the cycle order from time to time.
| Cycle year | Recipient | Award amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faculty member (1) | $10,000 |
| 2 | Faculty member (1) | $10,000 |
| 3 | Students (2) | $5,000 each |
This year, a faculty award will be given.
Nomination process
Faculty and students may be nominated for the Seinfeld Scholar Award by their respective dean or by their associate dean, department chair, or program director. Individuals may not self-nominate.
The complete nomination includes the following three documents combined (in order) into a single PDF:
- Coversheet: A fillable form found on the Office of Academic Affairs website
- Formal nomination letter that includes:
- A short description of the nominee’s work and accomplishments (a link to the nominee’s professional website may be included as supporting evidence)
- How the nominee and their work specifically address the award’s overall purpose and at least one of the following areas:
- (i) “made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world, who have added to human values, and to ending human abuse”
- (ii) passion for excellence, creativity, and originality in academic or artistic fields
- (iii) “ability to motivate and bring out the best in others”
- A short curriculum vitae
It is preferred that an individual be nominated by one person or by multiple people signing one nomination letter. Nominators are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues on the submission.
Nominations are due Friday, January 26, 2024. Please email the nomination as one PDF to Amanda Latreille, Faculty Affairs Specialist, at arlatrei@syr.edu (subject: Seinfeld nomination).
Selection process and recognition
The Seinfeld Scholar Award Review Committee, composed of Syracuse University faculty members, is responsible for recommending candidate(s) for the award. The committee reviews nominations and submits a recommendation report by the end of February. The Chancellor, with the approval of Ms. Seinfeld, makes the final selection, and the award is presented at the One University Awards Ceremony in April.
Past Seinfeld Scholar Awardees
Questions?
Please contact Amanda Latreille at arlatrei@syr.edu or 315-443-5413.