President’s Office

Reed College Institutional Awards

Awards given by the college to distinguished alumni and others include the following.

Eliot Award

The Thomas Lamb Eliot Award for Lifetime Achievement by a Reed College Graduate recognizes a Reed alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated long and important service in their field of endeavor. Further, the award seeks to recognize graduates who exemplify qualities that Reed values, including intellectual rigor, independence, and integrity.   

Vollum Award

The Howard Vollum Award for Science and Technology recognizes and celebrates the exceptional achievement of one or more members of the scientific and technical community of the Northwest. The name of the award is a tribute to the late Howard Vollum ’36, Reed physics alumnus, long-time trustee, one of the nation's great innovators and technologists, and lifelong friend of the college. The committee searches for the kind of perseverance, fresh approach to problems and solutions, progress in the face of skepticism of "experts," and creative imagination that characterized Howard Vollum's career.

Babson Award

The Babson Society Outstanding Volunteer Award, established in honor Jean McCall Babson ’42, recognizes outstanding volunteer efforts by Reed alumni. Jean Babson was a committed volunteer for the college, a nationally recognized community activist working on behalf of children, and a member of the Reed board of trustees from 1971 to 1987. The Alumni Board Nominating Committee bestows the Babson Award each year.

Foster-Scholz Award

The Foster-Scholz Distinguished Service Award is given to alumni who have made major contributions to the community and the college. The Foster-Scholz Club, which confers the award annually at Reunions, was named for the first two presidents of the college and represents alumni from Reed’s earliest classes through the most recent 40th reunion class.