Award Opportunities

Gilbert L. Hermance Award

The Hermance Award is presented annually to graduating seniors in the Kinesiology Department who have exhibited exemplary qualities of scholarship, leadership, character, and service during their undergraduate experience.

This award is in honor of Dr. Gilbert Hermance who was a faculty member and Chair from the 1930’s to the 1970’s, and made numerous valuable contributions to our department. The award, made possible by gifts from Mr. Hermance’s friends and colleagues following his retirement, was first presented in 1972.

There is one award per program (Health Sciences and Sports Medicine & Exercise Physiology), and the selection of the recipients is made by the current faculty members in the Kinesiology Department.

The award is presented during the Kinesiology graduation reception with the winners receiving a plaque. Further, the winners’ names are displayed in our office hallway along with past winners of this award.

Distinction in Research and Creative Works

This award recognizes research accomplishment of exceptional quality of in Kinesiology, health, sports medicine, or related field as judged by a committee of faculty. Graduating Health Sciences and Sports Medicine & Exercise Physiology majors who meet department and university requirements are eligible to apply for this award.

In order to qualify for the award, please submit the following:

• Declaration of intention to apply for this distinction.
• Summary statement of the research achievement with project title.
• Documentation of research achievement in the form of published papers, thesis, pre-publication manuscripts, or electronic files of presentations (PowerPoint or poster)
• A supporting letter from the student’s advisor should detail the student’s research accomplishments and intellectual contributions.

Required application materials must be submitted by April 15th of the spring semester before graduation.

Please complete the Rice Kinesiology Distinction in Research and Creative Work form and submit all application materials. For more information, you can contact Kellyn Haywood, Kinesiology Department Administrator, via email at kh121@rice.edu.

For more information visit the General Announcements page by clicking here.

Kamryn Sanamo Award

The Kamryn Sanamo Award was established in 2025 to honor students who have demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination in overcoming significant academic or personal challenges to successfully complete their degrees. The award is named after Sports Medicine & Exercise Physiology alumna, Kamryn Sanamo '23, who battled brain cancer during her time at Rice and received Rice’s first-ever posthumous degree.

The Sanamo award recognizes one outstanding graduating student from the Health Sciences major and one from the Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology major within the Kinesiology department each year. This award not only celebrates students' academic achievements but also their perseverance and dedication in the face of adversity.

Nominations, including self-nominations, should be submitted through the Sanamo Award Nomination Form. Current faculty members in the Kinesiology Department will review all applications and select the recipients. The award is presented during the Kinesiology graduation reception. Winners’ names, along with those of past award recipients, are also displayed in our office hallway.