The Dr. Finbarr O’Connor Prize for Shifting the Paradigm is a $10,000 award ($15,000 in 2023) presented annually at Arcadia University’s Honors Convocation to members of the Arcadia community—students, alumni, faculty, staff, and parents—who challenge conventional thinking, solve problems in their field, or address issues in their local and global communities through discovery, critical analysis, logic, and creativity. It recognizes change agents who have used innovation to create fundamental change, shifting the paradigm they faced.
The O’Connor Prize is established through the philanthropic support of Suneet P. Chauhan, MD ’79, ’18H and his wife, Laurie Pitchford, and is named in honor of Dr. Finbarr “Barry” O’Connor, professor emeritus and former and former chair of Religion and Philosophy.
Nomination Instructions
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 O’Connor Prize for $15,000 (this year). In order to be considered, nominees must submit a one-page entry addressing each of the below questions by November 1, 2023 and the Prize to be distributed in Spring of 2024. All entries must include the nominee’s name, daytime phone number, email address, and relationship to the University. Nominees may be individuals or teams/groups. Questions about the application process can be directed to Christopher Grosso, Director for Advancement Communications, at grossoc@arcadia.edu.
- What is the paradigm?
- How did the nominee shift the paradigm?
- What is the objective evidence that a paradigm shift has occurred?
- What is the objective evidence that the paradigm shift has improved well-being in the community?
- How is the nominee planning to shift the paradigm further?
To submit a nomination, complete the form below.
Dr. Finbarr O'Connor Prize Nomination Submission
The Dr. Finbarr O'Connor Prize for Shifting the Paradigm Nomination Submission Form
