The criteria: The selection committee looked for the student who best exemplifies what Humanities appreciated about Chris Norris: an enthusiasm for learning; the ability and desire to explore ideas and issues for their own sake; careful scholarship; and a concern for a clear and forceful articulation of ideas. We looked for someone who was not only a conscientious student with strong academic achievement, but someone who might sit with Chris in her office for an hour discussing the meaning of a passage or the structure of a paragraph -- someone, in sum, who best embodies the humanity that Chris Norris gave to Humanities.

The process: We solicited nominations from Teaching Assistants familiar with sophomores based on the above criteria. We tabulated the students' grades, then spoke at length to each of the TAs about all the nominations (their own, as well as students nominated by other TAs). Finally, we looked at the students' Humanities papers, again not only looking for good writing skills and scholarship, but for originality, style, and a personal voice.

If you wish to contribute to the Christine Norris Scholarship Fund, please make checks payable to: "U.C. San Diego Foundation in Memory of Christine Norris." Donations may be mailed or delivered to: Humanities Office, Galbraith Hall, Room 180, 9500 Gilman Drive 0306 La Jolla, CA 92093-0306.