Bouchet - University Graduate School

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.

Eligibility

All Ph.D. students at FIU who have been advanced to candidacy (per the requirements in their programs) are eligible for nomination to the Society. Applicants should currently be enrolled in a Ph.D. program – students in other doctoral programs are not eligible.

Students may nominate themselves or they may be nominated by their departments or by a member of the FIU faculty.

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.)

Application

The following application materials, per the eligibility requirements outlined above, must be submitted by Friday, December 16th, 2022 at 5:00 PM:

From the student:

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 thrusts of scholarship, character, leadership, service, and advocacy
- How the candidate’s educational accomplishments will 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 the UGS Office of Fellowships and Training. The subject line should read: Bouchet Application Package-Last name, First name

From a faculty mentor or dissertation advisor:

A letter of recommendation addressing the student’s scholarship, academic excellence and overall qualifications for admission to the Bouchet Society (1-2 pages)

Optional – From a community member, additional faculty, or staff:

A letter of recommendation from a community member or another faculty/staff who is familiar with the student’s broader contributions that complement research and teaching, such as advocacy and engagement with specific communities.

Submitted directly by email to amirzoya@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 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 receipt of nomination letters and application materials – Friday, December 16, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Applicants notified of final decision– By March 1, 2023
Annual Yale Bouchet Conference & Induction Ceremony – March 31- April 1, 2023 (In-person)

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