The Newman Prize was established in 1992 by Mark Vittert ‘65 in honor of Eric P. Newman ‘28, a prominent attorney and numismatist (someone who studies and collects coins) who was also a Burroughs student on the school’s first day in 1923.

Andy Newman ‘62, a member of the selection committee and Eric’s son, states, “Mark Vittert chose my father to be the namesake of the prize not just because my father was there on the first day of school, but also because he was an adventurous and curious guy, who was keen to learn from others and was enthusiastic about learning.” Mr. Eric Newman supported Burroughs in a variety of capacities, including a 33-year stint on the investment committee, until he passed away last year at age 106.

Each year, as part of the Newman Prize, interested Burroughs juniors are to asked to select five Americans they would like to meet. Applicants explain their choices in a brief paper and participate in an interview with the selection committee. The committee includes Lisa Greenman Kraner ‘71 and Liberty Vittert ‘06, in addition to Andy Newman.

When asked what the committee looks for in an applicant, Newman replied, “the selection committee looks for characteristics in an applicant that my father reflected: someone who is passionate about their interests and willing to try new things.” Subsequently, the winning student has the opportunity to meet one of his or her choices.

Previous Newman Prize winners have visited a number of well known Americans, including Ben Carson, the former Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins and current United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, poet Maya Angelou, and television personality Martha Stewart.

Jack Case ‘18 was the 2016-2017 recipient of the Newman Prize. Hevisited Greg Nicotero, a special make-up effects creator, television producer, and director. Nicotero, whose special makeup effects studio KNB EFX Group has worked on over 400 television and film projects, is currently special make-up effects supervisor and co-executive producer of TV series The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead.

“Meeting him seemed like it would be a bigger deal than it was. He is a really down to earth guy and we were similar in a surprising number of ways, so there wasn’t really any awkwardness,” Case says. “On set, everyone was just doing their job, and it was completely normal to them–that’s what they get paid to do. In the way that it was radical to me that they were on the set, it was radical to them that I wanted to watch them work.” Case was thrilled to meet Mr. Nicotero and says he developed a new understanding of the television industry.

Case strongly urges current sophomores to apply next year: “Definitely apply. No matter what. Ninety-nine percent of the class will be upset the day of the winner is announced. I just had fun making my list and chatting in the interview, and I think that’s by far the best way to go about your application.”

Mr. Newman adds, “Be true to yourself. Don’t try to put down what others want. It’s not about choosing people who might impress the selection committee or who your parents want you to choose. Be true to yourself and people you would like to meet.”

Nandini Jain ‘19 is the 2017-2018 recipient of the Newman Prize. Upon receiving the prize, Jain was astonished, “I didn’t quite believe it until Mr. Newman said my name. After I got over the shock, I felt so humbled. I have such a strong class; everyone who applied has such amazing qualities, and anyone could have won. I am so grateful and excited to have received this incredible opportunity.”

Jain’s choices include founder and CEO of Teach for America Wendy Kopp, broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff, comedian and actress Kate McKinnon, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and composer and conductor John Williams.

Jain states, “All of the people I chose are individuals who I have looked up to for a long time, and each of them has accomplished so much.”

When asked about her selections, Jain mentions, “I chose Ruth Bader Ginsburg because of her amazing strength. To start from such humble beginnings, fight for her rights, and then constantly live by her values in her profession is amazing to me…. I chose

Wendy Kopp because of the amazing work that has done in the realm of education. I find myself asking the same questions that she did before she started Teach for America and Teachers Without Border, and would like to see how she implemented her ideas.”

When asked how the committee decides which of their choices the prize winner will meet, Mr. Newman replied, “it is an art–not a science. We try to listen to the winner and what he or she cares most about. We have never been unsuccessful, as virtually all the individuals chosen are pleased to be selected by the Burroughs junior and strikingly open to getting together.” Jain insists that she does not have a preference and would be honored to meet any of people on her list.

Theoretically, if he were applying for the Newman Prize, Mr. Newman says, “if I were to choose five people from a category, the category would undoubtedly be my heroes.” To current sophomores: start imagining which of your heroes you might like to meet. The Newman Prize may just turn your dream into a reality.