The Frank and Rachel Anne Laney Award
recognizes the graduating senior who has written the finest essay
reflecting on the value of a Millsaps liberal arts education.
In order to satisfy the Core 10 requirement,
all graduating seniors must submit essays in which they reflect
on the value of their liberal arts education. A faculty panel chooses
ten finalists whose papers are published as a record of the seniors'
reflections. The one winning essay is then selected each year for
the Laney Award based upon its excellence in thought and expression.
In order to pass down the wisdom of the graduating seniors, the
winning paper will become required reading for incoming freshmen
the following year.
The award was established in honor
of Frank and Rachel Anne Laney as a tribute to their commitment
to excellence in higher education. Dr. Laney was a professor of
history for 34 years at Millsaps. During his tenure he served as
Dean of the College from 1962-1969 and chaired the History Department
from 1971-1984, during which time he was named Distinguished Professor
of the Year. In 1987, he helped organize and lead the College's
successful effort to secure a Phi Beta Kappa Chapter. Mrs. Laney
was Frank's best friend and is loved by all who meet her. She is
gracious and supportive to faculty and staff alike and attended
nearly every event at Millsaps — student recitals, Singers
and Players performances, football games, lecture events, and ceremonial
occasions. In short, Dr. and Mrs. Laney worked tirelessly on behalf
of the College.
Millsaps prides itself on being an
institution that teaches students not what to think, but how to
think — and we now have the Laney Award to honor and preserve
our students' thoughts about the College and our philosophy of teaching
and of the life well lived.
The Frank and Rachel Anne Laney Award
is made possible through the generosity of the Phil Hardin Foundation.
Laney
Award Finalists
Laney Award Publication
Laney Awards Home
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