Each year a small group of students are recognized for their outstanding work by receiving one of three psychology awards. Listed here are the winners from recent graduating classes for these three prizes. Psychology students may also win college-wide awards (e.g., the Drake Bradley award for excellence in undergraduate research, the Drake Bradley award in statistics, the Robert Moyer Award for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, etc.). Since college-wide awards are not always given to psychology students these winners are recognized on the links to the students’ thesis abstracts when available.

Awarded annually to the graduating senior who, by vote of the faculty of the Department of Psychology, has completed the most outstanding experimental psychology project for a senior thesis. Funded by an endowment established by Catherine A. Lee in honor of her husband, a member of the psychology faculty for thirty-two years.

2024: Abigail Harkness

View the abstract for her project here

2023: Maya Golden

View the abstract for her project here

2022: Xaviar Fallone

View the abstract for his project here

2021: Katie Abramowitz

2020: Lily Patterson

2019: Alexa Harrison

2018: Gwen Savino

View the abstract for her project here

2017: Katherine Berger

2016: Julia Gordon and Robert Haran

View the abstract for Robert’s project here.

2015: Megan Lapp

View the abstract for her project here.

2014: Mariya Manahova

View the abstract for her project here.

2013: Alexandra Abry
View the abstract for her project here.

2012: Meredith Greene
View the abstract for her project here.

2011: Liz Johnston
View the abstract for this project here.

2010: Katherine Downing Reilly
View the abstract for this project here.

2009: Rachel Pelle Ogilvie
View the abstract for this project here.

2007: Kathryn McGoe Doherty

2006: Julie Diane Yeterian

2004: Saul Lawrence Miller

2003: Sarah Frances Hannigen

This award is given annually to the graduating psychology major who, by vote of the faculty of the Department of Psychology, has completed the best thesis or project on issues related to peace, conflict resolution, or social justice. The prize was established by the psychology faculty in recognition of Professor Wagner’s thirty-four years of teaching and service to Bates, including twenty-five years as chair of the department.

2024: Tamaki Hashiramoto

View the abstract for her project here

2023: Nathaniel Berry

2022: Megan Seabury

View the abstract for her project here

2021: Jevan Sandhu

View the abstract for her project here

2020: Janika Ho

2019: Caleb Perlman

2018: Rachael Rosow

2017: Sadie James and Alyssa Dole

View the abstract for Sadie’s project here and Alyssa’s project here

2016: Shannon Griffin

2015: Caroline Kern

View the abstract for her project here.

2014: Mary (Ali) Millard

2013: Stephanie Boyle
View the abstract for this project here.

2012: Alexa Hiley

2011: Kara Western
View the abstract for this project here.

2009: Isabel Smith Alexander

2008: Leah Marion Roberts

2007: Amanda Blake Peters

2006: Andrea Sue Lichtman

The Leland And Claudina Bechtel Award

This award is given annually to psychology students who have given significant community service to a local nonprofit agency:

2024: Ally Friedman and Julia Jeong

View the abstract for Ally’s project here and Julia’s project here

2022: Grace Beaudet and Gilleyanne Davis-Oakes

View the abstract for Grace’s project here

2020: Alex Onouha, Eleanor Shields, and Sam Alexander

2016: Isabel Ferguson

2015: Brett Emmons, Brenna Callahan, & Naima Qambi

2014: Aisling Ryan

2013: Andrea King

2012: Reann Gibson

2011: Cara Gomberg

2010: Whitney Catherine Harrison & Kate Jesse Riser
View the abstract for Kate Jesse Riser’s project here.

2009: Hannah Lynne Giasson & Devin Shaughnessy Wigler
View the abstract for Devin Shaughnessy Wigler’s project here.

2008: Fátima Alexandra Diaz