HAMILTON COLLEGE MEDALS
Hamilton College began its existence in 1793
as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy. A missionary to the Oneida Indians,
Samuel Kirkland, conceived of a plan for a place to help the Indians
adapt to a settled life and to provide schooling for the children of the
white settlers moving into central new York. During the first twenty
years the school faltered and nearly failed; very few Oneidas came to
the school. It was transformed into Hamilton College in 1812 - the third
college to be established in the State and today one of the oldest in
the nation.
Martin Hawley Medal
Silver, 41.8mm
This medal is not signed by George H. Lovett but because of
similarities with the Pruyn reverse and the fact he did work
for Hamilton College I am tentatively attributing this to him.
J.V.L Pruyn Medal
Gold, 42mm
(image courtesy of John Sallay)
Bronze, 41.75mm
Henry Curran Medal
Gold, 42mm
(image courtesy of John Sallay)
Silver, awarded to Jacob Marshall Campbell, 41.8mm
with original case of issue
Tompkins Mathematical Scholarship Medal
Silver
From the "Hamilton College Catalog, One Hundred and Fourth
Year, 1915 - 1916, Clinton New York, Published by the College"
"PRUYN MEDAL ORATION. A foundation of $500 by the
late Chancellor John V. L. Pruyn, of Albany, furnishes a gold medal for
the senior writing the best oration on 'The Political Duties of
Educated Young Men.' "
"TOMPKINS MATHEMATICAL PRIZES. A foundation of $1,200 by
Hamilton B. Tompkins, A.M., '65, of New York, provides two prizes and
four medals for juniors who excel in mathematics. The award is made
upon the basis of an examination early in June, involving the
mathematics of sophomore and junior years. 13 and 14."
"CURRAN AND HAWLEY MEDALS IN GREEK AND LATIN. A foundation
of $700 by relatives of the late Col. Henry H. Curran, '62, of Utica,
furnishes a gold medal and a silver medal for juniors who excel in
classical studies. A foundation of $500 by the late Martin Hawley,
’51, of Baltimore, Md., furnishes silver medals, not exceeding four,
for juniors who excel in classical studies.
The award of the Curran medals is determined by written
examinations in Greek and Latin; the Hawley medals are given for
excellence in the entire Greek and Latin work of a year. The
competition in a given year is based upon courses 9–10 (or the
alternative 11–12) in Greek, and 5–6 in Latin. The first opportunity to
take these courses occurs in junior year; but any senior may enter the
competition who in that year is pursuing the requisite courses in
both departments."
Image courtesy of the Hamilton College Archives
