Cypher Award

The Student Assembly is responsible for The Cypher Award - an award that recognizes up to 40 graduating students with exemplary engagement, leadership, and service to W&M.

Originally, named in honor of former W&M President Benjamin Stoddert Ewell, the 327th Student Assembly recognized a unique opportunity to update the award in order to align it with W&M’s first official Statement of Values, drafted and approved by both the Board of Visitors and the State Council of Higher Education in fall 2019. Through Senate Bill 327-029, the award has been updated and will henceforth be named after the Cypher – the primary identifying mark of the university. The Cypher Award honors individuals whose contributions reflect the primary values of the university - belonging, curiosity, excellence, flourishing, integrity, respect, and service.

Recipients of the Cypher Award (and previous recipients of the Ewell Award) represent the very best of W&M students. These students have been unceasing in their efforts to make a meaningful difference while at W&M and are stewards of our university’s core values.