Home Professional Development Bouchet Honor Society Application Process Application Process The University of Michigan Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes excellence and diversity in doctoral education and the professoriate. The Bouchet Graduate Honor Society seeks to develop a network of scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, and serve as examples of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy in the academy. The society is named for Edward Alexander Bouchet (1852-1918), who was the first African American to earn a doctorate from an American university. He earned a Ph.D. in physics at Yale University in 1876. Bouchet was the sixth person in the western hemisphere to earn a doctorate in physics. The Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society was inaugurated on Thursday, September 15, 2005 by Yale University and Howard University. The University of Michigan chapter joins chapters at several other universities that seek to recognize Dr. Bouchet’s pioneering contributions to doctoral education. Types of Membership Doctoral Student Member An individual in excellent academic standing, has completed all coursework, and successfully advanced to candidacy at the host institution. Postdoctoral Member An individual who has earned a Ph.D. from a research institution and is currently holding a postdoctoral fellowship or equivalent position within the host chapter institution. Application Criteria for Doctoral Students A personal statement (two to three pages) that explains how the individual embodies the characteristics of Dr. Bouchet and the mission of the U-M Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. The statement should include sections that describe the applicant’s scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy; A brief statement (100 to 200 words) discussing the ways in which an applicant plans to contribute to the success of the U-M Bouchet Graduate Honor Society after induction; An unofficial copy of the applicant’s transcript from the University of Michigan; A current curriculum vita; and, Up to two letters of recommendation to the U-M Bouchet Graduate Honor Society from either the applicant’s dissertation advisor, graduate faculty member, or other recommender who is knowledgeable about the applicant’s research and/or service. The letters of recommendation should directly address how the applicant exemplifies each of the core values of the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society: scholarship, character, leadership, service, and advocacy. Application Criteria for Postdoctoral Fellows A personal statement (two to three pages) that explains how the individual embodies the characteristics of Dr. Bouchet and the mission of the U-M Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. The statement should include sections that describe the applicant’s scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy; A brief statement (100 to 200 words) discussing the ways in which an applicant plans to contribute to the success of the U-M Bouchet Graduate Honor Society after induction; A current curriculum vita; and, Up to two letters of recommendation to the U-M Bouchet Graduate Honor Society from either the applicant’s dissertation advisor, graduate faculty member, or other recommender who is knowledgeable about the applicant’s research and/or service. The letters of recommendation should directly address how the applicant exemplifies each of the core values of the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society: scholarship, character, leadership, service, and advocacy. Application Deadline Application deadline: November 3, 2025 Application opens: October 2, 2025
