Rackoff Prize

The Alan Rackoff Prize was established through the Betsy and Wayne Rackoff Fund and named in honor of Dr. Rackoff's late brother, an Emory student in the class of 1973. Dr. Wayne Rackoff (75C), vice president of clinical oncology at Janssen Research & Development (a Johnson & Johnson company), was among the first generation of Emory students in English courses to have access to primary materials in what was then known as “Special Collections.” The experience made a lasting imprint on his intellectual life and led him to become a long-time supporter of the archival collections.

The prize will award $750 to one student each academic year for the best paper, project, or honor's thesis written on the basis of primary source material from Rose Library related to a class or course of study in any academic department except the Department of English, $500 for a second place award, and a $250 honorable mention reserved for a first year student.  

Schuchard Prize

The Schuchard Prize was established through the Betsy and Wayne Rackoff Fund and named in honor of Dr. Wayne Rackoff's (75C) archival mentor, Ronald Schuchard, Goodrich C. White Professor Emeritus of English.

 The Schuchard Prize will award $750 to one student each academic year for the best paper, project, or honor's thesis created on the basis of primary source material from Rose Library related to a class or course of study in the Department of English only, $500 for a second place award, and a $250 honorable mention reserved for a first year student.  

Application Guidelines 

The deadline for application is Applications are due Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 5:00 pm EST.

Eligibility 

To be eligible to win, applicants must:

• be current Emory College undergraduates at any class level and in any discipline (humanities, social sciences, or sciences)
• have completed their research project in the form of a paper, digital project, performance, or poster since during the current academic year for an Emory University credit course
• allow library staff to display their research project for public viewing following receipt of the Rackoff Prize

An evaluation panel comprised of Emory University faculty, librarians, and community partners will focus primarily on the evidence of the applicant's research strategy, process, and personal learning, as summarized in an essay. Expectations for achievement will be commensurate with the applicant's class year and the requirements of the discipline. See more on award criteria below.

Applications will be submitted through Submittable and must include the following:

• A 500-750 word essay describing your research strategies and use of library tools and resources.  
• A final version of the research project, which may be in the form of a paper, digital project, performance footage or images, or a poster.

Evaluation criteria

Submissions will be judged based on how well they demonstrate the following:

• Sophistication, originality and/or unusual depth or breadth in the use of Rose Library collections in any media;
• Exceptional ability to locate, select, evaluate, and synthesize primary source materials and to use them in the creation of a project that shows originality and/or has the potential to lead to original research in the future; and
• Evidence of significant personal learning and the development of a habit of research and inquiry that shows the likelihood of persisting in the future.

An evaluation panel comprised of Emory University faculty, librarians and other educators will focus primarily on the evidence of the applicant's research strategy, process, and personal learning, as summarized in the research essay. Expectations for achievement will be commensurate with the applicant's class year and the requirements of the discipline.

• Primary focus of judging should be the research project.
• The project itself provides evidence of the appropriateness and synthesis of the research.
• The letter of support or statement of personal research should be used to learn about the initiative and independence shown by the student and to give an indication of the originality of the research and where it falls within its discipline.

An excellent submission should:

• Demonstrate use of complex research tools such as primary resources, archival finding aids and specialized databases
• Utilize a variety of types of information sources
• Make use of Rose Library collections and services to their fullest
• Show originality of thought and the potential to lead to original research in the future.
• Show evidence of significant personal learning and the development of research and inquiry skills
• Show careful evaluation of the quality of information sources
• Include correct and complete citation of materials, with annotations if appropriate.

For additional questions, please feel free to contact Shanna Early, Instruction Archivist at shanna.early@emory.edu.