The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society

 

Bouchet Society

GW Bouchet Society inductees, left to right: Thomas Dolan, Shonda Goward, Justin Mann, Mary Lee, David Jeffries and Rachel Burga

In the spirit of Edward Alexander Bouchet—the first self-identified African American to earn a doctorate from an American university—the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate.

Bouchet Society members form a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster a supportive environment and serve as examples of scholarship, leadership, character, service and advocacy for students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the academy.

 

Edward Alexander Bouchet

Edward Alexander Bouchet (1852-1918) graduated from Yale in 1874 and earned his PhD in physics from the university in 1876. He was just the sixth person in the western hemisphere to earn a doctorate in physics and the first self-identified African American to earn a doctorate from an American university. He was also one of the first African Americans to be elected to the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

 

Bouchet Society Chapters

Yale University and Howard University are the founding chapters of the Bouchet Society. The national charter was inaugurated on Sept. 15, 2005, in commemoration of Edward Bouchet’s birthday.

The GW Bouchet Society Chapter was founded in 2011 under the direction of Tara Wallace, former associate dean for graduate studies in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

Chapter Institutions

  • Yale University                                       
  • Howard University
  • Cornell University
  • Emory University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Michigan State University
  • Northwestern University
  • Rutgers University
  • The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  • The George Washington University
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of California, San Diego
  • University of Florida
  • University of Miami
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • Washington University, St. Louis

 

Membership

Individuals must be nominated for membership in the Bouchet Society and approved by the National Steering Committee.

Levels of Membership

Doctoral Student Membership is available to any individual who is currently a doctoral student in good academic standing and, through initial research achievement in the humanities, social science or science field, has demonstrated outstanding promise as a scholar, as evidenced by independent investigation or current work on a dissertation project.

Postdoctoral Membership is available to any individual who has received their PhD degree within the last 6 years and, through initial research achievement in a humanity, social science or science field, has demonstrated outstanding promise as a scholar, as evidenced by independent investigation, completion of the dissertation and publications.

Faculty Membership is conferred upon any individual who has demonstrated noteworthy achievement as a scholar and exemplar of the Bouchet Society’s mission. The faculty member must currently hold an appointment in the humanities, social sciences or sciences and have records of publication and evidence of research and teaching in their field of study. Individuals who are invited to membership have, by virtue of their scholarship, research, teaching and service, shown their commitment to ensuring excellence and equity in graduate education.

Alumni Membership is conferred upon any individual who has demonstrated noteworthy achievement as a scholar and exemplar of the Bouchet Society’s mission in the humanities, social sciences or sciences, and received their PhD from the member institution. Individuals who are invited to membership have, by virtue of their scholarship, research, teaching and service, shown their commitment to ensuring excellence and equity in graduate education.

Lifetime or Honorary Membership is conferred upon any individual who has demonstrated outstanding and noteworthy achievement as a scholar and exemplar of the Bouchet Society’s mission in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. Individuals who are invited to membership have, by virtue of their scholarship, research, teaching and service, shown their commitment to ensuring excellence and equity in graduate education. 

Nomination & Application

Nominations for the George Washington University Chapter of the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society will open November 1.  

Membership into the Bouchet Society is by nomination only. All student nominees must be ABD (i.e., completed qualifying exam, orals, qualifying papers or equivalent) and submit all materials listed below.

1. A current curriculum vitae

2. An abstract/description of dissertation

3. Two faculty recommendations

Should you have any questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies [email protected] or 202-994-8397.

 

Annual Conference at Yale University

The Annual Yale Bouchet Conference on Diversity and Graduate Education originates from the founding collaboration between Yale University and Howard University.

Dynamic and increasingly recognized for its academic importance, the conference enables attendees to engage in vigorous discussions on diversity in graduate education and learn more about ongoing research across disciplines at other universities. The conference is also an extraordinary opportunity to network with graduate and undergraduate students, faculty and administrators from across the country.

This year's theme is "Reflections on Racism and U.S. Racial Tensions in the 21st Century".

The 2019 Annual Conference took place on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, at the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences campus.  

Call for Proposals

Call for proposals for the 2020 Annual Conference will be posted when available.  In the meantime please visit the Edward A. Bouchet Conference webpage for information on 2019 proposals.