Bouchet Honor Society

Named for the first African American doctoral recipient in the United States (Physics, Yale University, 1876), 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 is 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 ideals, inductees into the honor society must demonstrate significant achievement in these five areas.

One national charter was inaugurated by Yale University and Howard University on September 15, 2005, in commemoration of Bouchet’s birthday. Since 2005, Washington University, Georgetown University, and Cornell University have been added to the list of institutions with a Bouchet Society on their campuses.

Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan has held a chapter since 2008.