Awards in Politics and Law

The seal of Rhodes College inlaid in the floor of Palmer Hall. If a student walk across it, the legend says that they will ever graduate

Each spring, the Department of Politics and Law presents the following awards to outstanding students.  The awardees for 2025 are:

Seidman Awards:
Senior Award: Mary-Hunter Brown
First Year Award: Sofia Lewis

Abe Fortas Award for Excellence in Legal Studies
Cormac Maclae

Mike Cody Award:
Isaac Vigoren

Charlie Cook Award:
Nathan Mobley

Marcus D. Pohlmann Award for Political Science and Mock Trial:
Kevin Caltry

Additional information on the awards and recent recipients are listed below. 

Seidman Awards

Seidman Awards are named for Philip K. Seidman, a former trustee and benefactor of the college. The Senior Seidman Award is for the senior with the highest GPA within the major. The First Year Seidman Award is for the best first year student in an introductory Political Science course. 

Senior Award:

2025: Mary-Hunter Brown
2024: Benjamin Boyd (Trey)
2023: Katie Miller
2022: Natalie L. Smith
2021: Nathaniel M. Siler
2020: Katherine N. Bryant
2019: Daniel Elliott
2018: Emily Buddy
2017: Samuel S. Polzin
2016: Alexandra C. Dileo (Alex)
2015: Brendan M. Tyler
2014: Landon R. Webber
2013: Maria L. Raffanti
2012: Mary Frances Dunlap
2011: Emily A. Sellers
2010: Peter F. Zanca
2009: Noah A. Pittman

First Year Award:

2025: Sofia Lewis 
2024: Elsie Prince
2023: Audrey Griffith
2022: Julie Becker, Kate Buikema, Anna Grace Travis
2021: Molly A. O’Connor, Patrick B. Grooms
2020: Natalie L. Smith
2019: Matthew Kenny
2018: Patricia M. Jones (MIchelle)
2017: Savanna A. Kurz, Nikita P. Smith, Charles R. Tammons
2016: Anna D. Baker-Olsen, Rebekah D. Birch, Joshua D. Elliott (Daniel), Lillie J. Stephens
2015: Noah B. Rinehard
2014: Akvile Zakarauskaite
2013: Brendan M. Tyler
2012: Cameron M. McGarrah
2011: Matthew J. Washnock
2010: William A. McGriff
2009: Anne K. Harper