Bowdoin College held its 17th annual Honors Day ceremony to recognize the academic achievements of Bowdoin students and faculty. The ceremony was held May 8 at Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall.

Lecturer in Chemistry Michael Danahy, recipient of the 2012 Sydney B. Karofsky Prize for Junior Faculty, delivered the Honors Day address, “Better Living Through Chemistry?” in which he described the sometimes serendipitous nature of discoveries in chemistry, and both the good (new medicine) and the bad (drug addiction) these discoveries can bring into the world.

“As you continue through Bowdoin and one day leave us, remember that what you do with your intellectual discoveries is in your hands,” Danahy said. “Please strive to apply your knowledge in a positive way and help further the “common good.”

Following Danahy’s address, Dean for Academic Affairs Cristle Collins Judd presented the 2013 Karofsky Prize to Robert Sobak, assistant professor of classics. The prize, given by members of the Karofsky family, is awarded annually on the basis of student evaluations to an outstanding Bowdoin teacher who best demonstrates the ability to impart knowledge, inspires enthusiasm and stimulates intellectual curiosity.

Departmental prizes were then presented by academic department and program chairs. Download the 2013 Honors Day Program with the names of all the prize winners.

A musical interlude was provided by soprano Katarina Holmgren ’13 and Professor of Music Robert Greenlee, who performed “Un bel di” from Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini.

Photos by Brian Jacobel ’14 and Dennis Griggs