The below message was sent to faculty, staff, and students on March 2, 2026.
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Each year, the College honors members of the faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate student bodies as McPherson Fellows. The recipients are recognized for achievement and for service to the community, either within or beyond the boundaries of Bryn Mawr. The awards, now in their 28th year, are supported by the McPherson Fund for Excellence, an endowed fund that honors President Emeritus Pat McPherson's extraordinary tenure at Bryn Mawr and her long-standing commitment to encouraging the highest standards of achievement among members of the College community.
The McPherson Fund was established by the Board of Trustees in 1997, the last year of President McPherson's tenure at Bryn Mawr. By the terms of the Fund, recipients of the McPherson Award receive public recognition and a financial award that varies by recipient group.
I write to encourage you to nominate outstanding individuals in the Bryn Mawr community for a McPherson Award. You may nominate someone for this award in any of the categories described below. Cross-nominations, such as the nomination of a faculty member by a student or of a staff member by a faculty member, are encouraged. I hope you will submit nominations in a number of categories, as the strength of the program depends upon the quality of the nominations we receive.
The McPherson Award website contains more information, including past recipients. The community may submit nominations for this prestigious honor online through the nomination form or by letter. This year, we will be centralizing the nomination process, so please direct any letters or emails to officeofthepresident@brynmawr.edu or Office of the President, Taylor Hall. All nominations will be directed to the appropriate selection committee. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 20 at 5 p.m.
Faculty
One McPherson Award is given each year to a tenured, tenure-track, or continuing, non-tenure-track faculty member for achievement and for community service at Bryn Mawr or elsewhere. The award supports either a research stipend or a one-course reduction in the semester following the next leave, to be scheduled in coordination with the faculty member's department and the Provost's Office. The faculty McPherson Fellow is chosen from the pool of nominees by the Committee on Appointments in consultation with the Provost.
Staff
McPherson Awards are given to members of the staff for exceptional service to their own community or that of the College. Each recipient receives a monetary award. Eligible staff may be part- or full-time employees who have completed at least three years of continuous service at the College by Thursday, March 20. The President and those who report directly to her are not eligible, nor are prior McPherson or Distinguished Staff Award winners or the Director of Human Resources. Nominations will be reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of a member of the Staff Association Executive Council, the Vice President of Human Resources, the immediate past recipients of the McPherson faculty and staff awards, and representatives from the undergraduate and graduate student bodies.
GSAS Students
One or more McPherson Award recipients are selected from the student body of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for academic achievement and exceptional community service, whether at Bryn Mawr or elsewhere. The winners receive a monetary award and are chosen from the pool of nominees by the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Committee on Graduate Awards. Specific comments on the nominee's community service are very helpful.
GSSWSR Students
One or more McPherson recipients are selected from the student body of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research for academic achievement and a distinguished record of community service. The winners receive a monetary award and are chosen from the pool of nominees by the Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research in consultation with their respective Faculty Advisory Committees.
Undergraduate Students
Three McPherson Award winners are chosen from the senior class in recognition of their academic achievement and a distinguished record of community service. Each receives a monetary award to support their pursuit of academic, career, personal or service interests. Students who are nominated and are being considered for this award are invited to submit an application discussing their contributions to the community and their future plans. Recipients are selected by a committee staffed by the Undergraduate Dean's Office.
I look forward to announcing this year's McPherson Fellows at the end of the semester.
With best wishes,
Wendy Cadge
President and Professor of Sociology
Bryn Mawr College
101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Pronouns: she/her
brynmawr.edu
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