Named for Edward Alexander Bouchet, the first African American Ph.D. recipient in the United States, the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (Bouchet Society) recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate. The Bouchet Society seeks to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster environments of support, and serve as examples of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy for students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the academy. In the spirit of Bouchet’s commitment to these pursuits both within and without the academic realm, inductees into the honor society bearing his name should also exhibit these qualities.
About Edward A. Bouchet
Edward Bouchet (1852-1918) graduated from Yale College in 1874. He went on to be the first African American to earn a doctorate from an American university when he earned a Ph.D. in physics at Yale University in 1876. At that time, Bouchet was the sixth person in the western hemisphere to earn a doctorate in physics. He was also one of the first African Americans to be elected to the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
Applicant Eligibility
- FIU PhD students who have advanced to candidacy (per the requirements in their programs). Applicants should currently be enrolled in a Ph.D. program – students in other doctoral programs are not eligible.
- FIU Postdoctoral scholars who received their Ph.D. within the past five years.
All nominees should exemplify the five Bouchet qualities of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy. (Priority consideration will be given to those who intend to pursue academic careers and who are from communities historically underrepresented in the academy.)
Selected students will be invited to participate in the Induction Ceremony at Yale University during the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Annual Conference on April 5-6, 2024. By applying to be selected, students commit to taking part in the conference and representing FIU.
Application
From the student/postdoc:
Due: December 22, 2023
- Cover Form
- Statement of purpose (2-page maximum) from the candidate indicating:
- Educational and career accomplishments
- Future professional goals
- Past and current academic experience
- Ways in which they have and will continue to fulfill the five pillars of Bouchet Society: scholarship, character, leadership, service, and advocacy
- How will your educational and other accomplishments contribute to the mission of the Bouchet Society
- A 250-word dissertation abstract
- A current curriculum vitae (2-page maximum)
Application materials should be submitted as a single PDF document to Mr. Ivan Melgar at imelgar@fiu.edu. The subject line should read: Bouchet Application Package-Last name, First name
Two Letters of Recommendation
Due: January 5, 2024
- From a faculty mentor or dissertation advisor:
- Recommendation Form
- Letter addressing the student/postdoc’s scholarship, academic excellence and overall qualifications for admission to the Bouchet Society (1-2 pages).
- From a community member, another faculty member, or administrator:
- Recommendation Form
- Letter from another person familiar with student/postdoc’s broader contributions outside classroom that complement research and teaching, such as advocacy and engagement with specific communities (1-2 pages)
Recommenders need to email the materials directly to the University Graduate School, Mr. Ivan Melgar at imelgar@fiu.edu with the following subject line: Bouchet Letter of Recommendation_Applicant Last Name, First Name
Selection Process
- Upon receipt of completed application materials for nominees, the Membership Selection Committee will review all applications.
- The FIU Membership Selection Committee will then provide a recommendation of inductees for consideration to the National Steering Committee.
- The National Steering Committee reviews all nominated applications submitted from chapter institutions and reserves the right to approve or decline membership into the Bouchet Society.
Timeline
- Deadline for application materials – December 22, 2023 at 5:00 PM
- Deadline for letters of recommendation – January 5, 2024 at 5:00 PM
- Applicants notified of final decision– February 9, 2024
- Annual Yale Bouchet Conference & Induction Ceremony – April 5-6, 2024 (In-person)