Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Explained

Bouchet Graduate Honor Society
Letters:BGHS
Crest:Edward Alexander Bouchet Yale College class of 1874.jpg
Birthplace:
Affiliation:Independent
Status:Active
Type:Honor society
Emphasis:Doctoral, Post-Doctoral, Faculty
Mission:To recognize scholarly achievement and promote diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate.
Scope:National (U.S.)
Chapters:19
Country:United States

The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (often referred to as the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, Bouchet Society or BGHS) is an American honor society named after Edward Alexander Bouchet, the first African American to earn a doctorate degree (Ph.D. in Physics, Yale University, 1876). Established to recognize outstanding scholarly achievement and promote diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate, it was co-founded by Yale University and Howard University on September 15, 2005, commemorating Bouchet's birthday.

History

The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society was co-founded by Yale University and Howard University on September 15, 2005, in commemoration of Bouchet's birthday.[1] [2] [3] [4] Inaugurated with a simulcast ceremony between Yale and Howard, the founding institutions reflect a commitment to combating historical underrepresentation in academia.

Honor societies have historically been critiqued for systemic bias and racism, often reflecting broader societal inequities in their membership and recognition practices. Traditional honor societies have sometimes perpetuated exclusion by upholding criteria or cultures that do not fully recognize the diverse potential of all scholars, particularly those from minority backgrounds. The Bouchet Society was established in part to address these gaps, emphasizing inclusivity and the importance of diverse scholarly contributions.[5] [6]

The Bouchet Society aims to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster supportive environments, and serve as exemplars of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy for those traditionally underrepresented in the academy.[7] [8]

The Bouchet Society has expanded to include numerous chapters across the United States.[9] [10] [11]

Membership

Membership is granted to individuals who demonstrate significant achievements aligned with the society's core values, including doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members. A distinct aspect of the society's nomination process is its focus on self-nominations and endorsements from faculty, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups such as minorities and women in STEM.[12] [13]

Activities and awards

The society organizes annual conferences and forums, fostering professional development, networking, and academic exchange among members. These events also serve as platforms for discussing and promoting DEI initiatives within higher education.[14] [15]

The Bouchet Leadership Medal recognizes leaders who exemplify outstanding scholarly and community-oriented achievements, serving as role models in both academic and broader social contexts.[16] [17]

Chapters

Following is a list of Bouchet Society chapters.[18]

ChapterCharter dateLocationStatusReferences
Yale UniversityNew Haven, ConnecticutActive
Howard UniversityWashington, D.C.Active
Cornell University2006Ithaca, New YorkActive[19]
Washington University in St. Louis2007St. Louis, MissouriActive[20]
University of Michigan2008Ann Arbor, MichiganActive[21]
George Washington University2009Washington, D.C.Active
University of California, San Diego2010San Diego, CaliforniaActive[22]
University of Wisconsin–Madison2010Madison, WisconsinActive[23]
The Chicago School2013Chicago, IllinoisActive[24]
Virginia Tech2015Blacksburg, VirginiaActive[25] [26]
Northwestern University2017Evanston, IllinoisActive[27]
Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MarylandActive[28]
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MichiganActive[29]
Emory University2019Atlanta, GeorgiaActive[30]
Florida International University2023University Park, FloridaActive[31]
Rutgers UniversityActive
University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CaliforniaActive
University of FloridaGainesville, FloridaActive
University of MiamiCoral Gables, FloridaActive

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . April 19, 2024 . Yale GSAS.
  2. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . April 19, 2024 . Howard University.
  3. Web site: Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Scholars . April 19, 2024 . Cornell University.
  4. Web site: About the Program: BGHS . April 19, 2024 . University of California, Los Angeles.
  5. Web site: Bouchet Honor Society . April 19, 2024 . University of Michigan Rakham Graduate School.
  6. Web site: Bouchet Honor Society . April 19, 2024 . Northwestern, The Graduate School.
  7. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . Johns Hopkins University . April 19, 2024.
  8. Web site: About the Program: BGHS. University of Wisconsin . April 19, 2024.
  9. Web site: The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . April 19, 2024 . George Washington University.
  10. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . April 19, 2024 . Virginia Tech University.
  11. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . April 19, 2024 . FIU Graduate School.
  12. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . University of Wisconsin . April 19, 2024.
  13. Web site: Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . Washington University in St. Louis, Office of the Provost . April 19, 2024.
  14. Web site: Bouchet Society and Conference. University of Miami . April 19, 2024.
  15. Web site: The Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (BGHS). Michigan State University . 6 September 2019 . April 19, 2024.
  16. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . Emory University, Laney Graduate School . April 19, 2024.
  17. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. TheChicagoSchool . April 19, 2024.
  18. Web site: The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Columbian College of Arts & Sciences The George Washington University . 2024-04-22 . Columbian College of Arts & Sciences . en.
  19. Web site: Hrichak . Katya . April 10, 2023 . Ten Inducted into Bouchet Graduate Honor Society : Graduate School . 2024-04-22 . gradschool.cornell.edu.
  20. News: July 25, 2013 . Three WU Doctoral Candidates Named to Diversity Society . April 21, 2024 . St. Louis American . 4.
  21. Web site: Bouchet Honor Society . 2024-04-22 . Rackham Graduate School: University of Michigan . en-US.
  22. Web site: Bouchet Honor Society . 2024-04-22 . grad.ucsd.edu.
  23. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . 2024-04-22 . Graduate School UW–Madison . en-US.
  24. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . 2024-04-22 . The Chicago School.
  25. Web site: Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Scholars . 2024-04-22 . graduateschool.vt.edu . en.
  26. Web site: 2015-04-14 . Virginia Tech Is the Twelfth University Member of the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . 2024-04-22 . The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education . en-US.
  27. Web site: Bouchet Honor Society . 2024-04-22 . The Graduate School Northwestern University . en.
  28. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Office of the Provost . 2024-04-22 . Johns Hopkins University . en-US.
  29. Web site: 2019-09-06 . The Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (BGHS) . 2024-04-22 . grad.msu.edu . en.
  30. Web site: Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society . 2024-04-22 . Graduate School Emory University . en.
  31. Web site: Fattal . Ayleen Barbel . May 24, 2023 . Meet FIU's first Bouchet Society inductees . 2024-04-22 . FIU News . en.

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