Awards

Margaret Eisch Memorial Award in Sociology

Joan and John Eisch created this award in 1987 in honor of their daughter Margaret, a rising senior at Notre Dame in sociology who was killed on July 22, 1976 by a drunk driver. Each year, the most outstanding senior sociology major receives the Eisch Memorial Award at commencement time. 

In 2008, Joan and John Eisch expended their generous contributions and established the Eisch Endowment for Excellence. As a result, greater numbers of sociology majors who share the enthusiasm which Margaret had for sociology are receiving support to aid them in their independent research efforts and other types of creative academic endeavors.

2024 WINNER: Sean Lonergan

Our 2024 recipient of the Margaret Eisch Award in Sociology is Sean Lonergan. Sean majored in Sociology (honors track) and with minors in Business Economics and Constitutional Studies. 

Senior Essay Award

Each year, the Sociology Department sponsors a competition among graduating Sociology majors for the best essay or research paper submitted on a topic of sociological relevance. The recipient of this award receives a monetary prize along with having his/her name inscribed on a plaque displayed in the Sociology Department. In addition, the winner’s name will appear in the University’s commencement bulletin, and her/his name will be announced at the Sociology Department’s Senior Recognition Event, which takes place on the Friday of commencement weekend.

Though the prize is awarded to a graduating senior Sociology major, the paper need not have been written during your senior year. 

 

2024 WINNER: Elsa Bixby 

Our 2024 senior essay award winner is Elsa Bixby or her thesis, "Similarity and Social Influence: Exploring the Dynamics of Policy Diffusion". Elsa majored in Biologicial Sciences and Sociology.

Past Senior Essay Award Winners

Alpha Kappa Delta

Alpha Kappa Delta is an international honor society in Sociology, which was founded for the purposes of stimulating scholarship and promoting the scientific study of social phenomena for the promotion of human welfare.

Academically distinguished students are nominated for membership in Notre Dame’s Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta in either their junior or senior year. During their senior year, AKD members who were initiated as juniors are encouraged to become involved in activities that enhance the intellectual life of the department.