Student Awards and Achievements

The department has three awards for undergraduate student achievement: The Francis X. Boden Memorial Award, The Rev. John Naus, S.J. Award, The James H. Robb Memorial Award.

The Francis X. Boden Memorial Award

This award is presented annually to an undergraduate major in Philosophy who is in the graduating class and has been selected by the Philosophy faculty on the basis of excellence in academic achievement in social, political and legal philosophy.  The award honors Mr. Francis X. Boden who graduated from Marquette College in 1895 and practiced law in Milwaukee until his death in 1935. Throughout his life, Mr. Boden had a deep interest in philosophy.

Recent Winners of the Francis X. Boden Memorial Award

  • 2023: Shir Bloch
  • 2022: Joe Hennessey 
  • 2021: Noelle Douglass 
  • 2020: Jason Hanselman 
  • 2019: Andrew Depkon
  • 2018: Jared Corbet
  • 2017: Paul Calfo
  • 2016: Isabelle Bishop
  • 2015: Samantha Zlevor
  • 2014: Calvin Nixon
  • 2013: Sarah Gresser
  • 2012: Christopher Frenier
  • 2011: Mara Brandli
  • 2010: Desiree Valentine
  • 2009: Shanti Chu
  • 2008: Sara Stellpflug
  • 2007: David Cascio
  • 2006: Nicholas Zettel
  • 2005: James Annala
  • 2004: Christin Van Dam
  • 2003: Garrett Curler


The James H. Robb Memorial Award

This annual award was presented for the first time in 2001 to an undergraduate major in Philosophy who is in the graduating class and has been selected by the Philosophy faculty on the basis of excellence in academic achievement in the study of the History of Philosophy.  The award honors the much-beloved Dr. James H. Robb, Professor of Philosophy from 1956-1993.

Recent Winners of the James H. Robb Memorial Award

  • 2023: Jianda Ni
  • 2022: Josephine Napolski 
  • 2021: Marinella Krezic 
  • 2020: Jake Stavsky 
  • 2019: Chris Gregorio
  • 2018: Allison Bitz
  • 2017:
  • 2016: Caleb Reidy
  • 2015: Mitchel Gutbrod
  • 2014: Kyle Nilsen
  • 2013: Mary Parmeter
  • 2012: Machessa Samz
  • 2011: Anne Stutzman
  • 2010: Joseph Platta
  • 2009: Kevin Hogan
  • 2008: Timothy Hogan
  • 2007: Erin DeYoung
  • 2006: Toby Svoboda
  • 2005: Thomas S. Carroll
  • 2004: Zachary Mountin
  • 2003: Katherine Milco


The Rev. John Naus, S.J. Award

This annual award was presented for the first time in 2010 to an undergraduate major in Philosophy who is in the graduating class and has been selected by the Philosophy faculty on the basis of excellence in academic achievement in the study of Ethics and Values.  The award honors the legendary Philosophy professor Rev. John Naus, S.J. 

Recent Winners of the Rev. John Naus, S.J. Award

  • 2023: Maryn Schaefbauer
  • 2022: Claire Connelly 
  • 2021: Eric Miller
  • 2020: Alanna McCauley 
  • 2019: Brian Martindale
  • 2018: Meredith Kuhn
  • 2017:
  • 2016: Taylor Zientara
  • 2015: Elena Fransen
  • 2014: Trevor Gundlach
  • 2013: Alex Zurek
  • 2012: Paul Nona
  • 2011: Katherine Thometz
  • 2010: Donald Jankowski