Departmental Awards

Annual Competitions

Each year, the Classical Studies Department and Modern Greek Program are pleased to present students with awards acknowledging outstanding achievement and excellence in their field of study. The awards are made possible through the benevolence and generosity of University of Michigan alumni and patrons of the Classics and Modern Greek.

The Phillips Classical Prizes

Awarded in memory of Henry Phillips for excellence in classical Greek and in Latin at both the elementary and intermediate levels, as determined by written exams given each year near the end of winter term. Winners also receive a notation of the award on their academic records.

The Modern Greek Prizes

Awarded to top undergraduate students for excellence demonstrated in a Modern Greek translation competition in both the elementary and intermediate levels.

Contexts for Classics Prizes

Undergraduate and graduate students from all departments are invited to submit creative translations of texts from Latin, ancient Greek, and modern Greek. Translations may be in textual form, or presented as a work of music, visual and screen arts, drama, or dance. 

The Arthur and Mary Platsis Prize in the Greek Legacy

The awards for the Arthur and Mary Platsis Prize is given to undergraduate and graduate students for research or creative work related to the Greek Legacy. For more information click here.

Winners of the Phillips, Modern Greek and Context for Classics competitions are honored at the Phillips Prize Ceremony in April. The awards for the Arthur and Mary Platsis Prize in the Greek Legacy is given at the annual Platsis Symposium in September.

Awards for Graduating Seniors

The Department gives awards to graduating students for outstanding achievement in the concentrations. Recipients are honored at the departmental graduation reception for students, friends and family.

  • Archaeology: The Classical Archaeology Award
  • Classical Civilization: The Classical Civilization Award
  • Latin: The Copley Prize, in honor of Frank O. Copley
  • Greek: The Seligson Prize, in honor of Gerda M. Seligson
  • Modern Greek: The Modern Greek Prize, in honor of Calliopi Evangelios
  • Linguistics: The Classical Linguistics Prize (occasional)