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The Language Studies Department administers a number of prizes and awards for achievement in foreign language learning which are described here in brief. Midshipmen enrolled in language courses are automatically considered for all relevant awards. The Maas (French), Steuben (German) and Smith (Spanish) prizes require the submission of essays in the respective languages; follow the links under the descriptions of these prizes for further details. POC for further information on these prizes is Associate Professor Joseph Gwara.
- Office of Naval Intelligence - Harry E. Ward Language Prize
- A combination ship's clock-barometer will be presented to that midshipman of the graduating class who has been outstanding in the study of foreign languages while at the Naval Academy. The funds for this prize were established by the late Harry E. Ward, Jr., as a tribute to his father, the late Harry E. Ward, and to the Office of Naval Intelligence. (Presented at the annual Prizes & Awards Ceremony during Commissioning Week.)
- Recent Recipients
- 2005 - Anne C. O'Donnell, USN
2004 - Horace M. Leavitt IV, USN
2003 - Sean J. Wolfe, USN
2002 - Benjamin M. Heineike, USN
2001 - Emily A. Markel, USN
2000 - Matthew S. Gull, USN
1999 - Kate E. Oliver, USN
1998 - Jason T. Berg, USN
1997 - Chad I. VanSomeren, USN
1996 - James H. Masterson, USN
1995 - Benjamin A. Shupp, USN
1994 - Leah G. Nelson, USN
- Office of Naval Intelligence - Harry E. Ward Medals
- Medals are presented to those six members of the graduating class who, as midshipmen, have achieved the greatest improvement in knowledge and proficiency in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish respectively. The funds for these medals were established by the late Harry E. Ward, Jr., as a tribute to his father, the late Harry E. Ward, and to the Office of Naval Intelligence. (Presented at a special ceremony.)
- Lemieux Second Year Foreign Language Award
- A check for $300 is presented in honor of Professor Claude P. Lemieux, in his memory by his family, to that midshipman of the first, second, or third class for the greatest improvement in a foreign language course at the intermediate level at the U.S. Naval Academy. All midshipmen enrolled in FL202 will automatically be considered for the award, with the following exceptions: No midshipman repeating the course or who has revoked validation for the course shall be eligible. (Presented at a special ceremony.)
- Lieutenant Commander Charles Oscar Maas, USNRF, Assistant Naval Attaché to the American Embassy, Paris, France, World War I Prize
- A prize, consisting of U.S. Savings Bonds, will be presented to that midshipman of the first, second, or third class, for whom French is not the native tongue, for the best essay to be submitted entirely in French, except for quoted material. Click here for a full statement of the nature of the essay, together with a list of suggested topics. Essays are to be submitted to the Language Studies Department Office in Nimitz 64 on or before 1200 on Friday, 24 March 2006. (Presented at a special ceremony.)
- Lindauer First Year German Award
- A prize, consisting of a $100 savings bond, will be presented to that midshipman of any class for whom German is not the native tongue, for the greatest improvement in the first year German course at the U.S. Naval Academy. All midshipmen enrolled in FG102 will automatically be considered for the award, with the following exceptions: no midshipmen repeating the course or who has revoked validation for the course shall be eligible. (Presented at a special ceremony.)
- The Steuben Society of America Award
- A dress sword, scabbard, and case will be presented by the Steuben Society of America to that midshipman of the first, second, or third class, for whom German is not the native language, for the best essay to be submitted entirely in German, except for quoted material, on a topic relating to the German and American past and present. Click here for a full statement of the nature of the essay, together with a list of suggested topics. Essays are to be submitted to the Language Studies Department Office in Nimitz 64 on or before 1200 on Friday, 24 March 2006. (Presented at a special ceremony.)
- Thomas First Year Russian Award
- A $100 savings bond presented in honor of Lieutenant Cathleen M. Thomas, USN, Class of 1981, in her memory by her family, to that midshipman of the first, second, or third class for whom Russian is not a native language, for the greatest improvement in the first-year Russian course at the U.S. Naval Academy. All midshipmen enrolled in FR102 will automatically be considered for the award, with the following exceptions: No midshipman repeating the course or who has revoked validation for the course shall be eligible. (Presented at a special ceremony.)
- Vice-Admiral C. C. Smith, Jr., USN, Spanish Essay Award
- A check for $350 will be presented in honor of Vice Admiral C. C. Smith, Jr., USN, to that midshipman of the first, second, or third class for whom Spanish is not a native language, for the best essay to be submitted entirely in Spanish, except for quoted material. Click here for a full statement of the nature of the essay, together with a list of suggested topics. Essays are to be submitted to the Language Studies Department Office in Nimitz 64, on or before Friday, 24 March 2006. (Presented at a special ceremony.)