The Yat K. Tow Prize was established in 1991 by the family of Yat K. Tow ’41 in his memory and funded by his family and friends.  The prize is awarded every year by the Swearer Center for Public Service to a student who exhibits outstanding citizenship by integrating significant academic work with community service that demonstrates a commitment to principles of partnership, shared leadership, self-reflection, reciprocal learning and teaching. 

Born in Canton, China, Mr. Tow emigrated to the United States at the age of ten to join his father and grandfather who were pioneers in the Chinese restaurant business. He became a prominent Rhode Island business and civic leader, serving as a member of the corporations of both Rhode Island Hospital and the former People's Bank, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Rhode Island. He sponsored and hosted international students and families and was an official interpreter for the non-English speaking Chinese community in Rhode Island. Mr. Tow was selected a class marshal at the Brown University Bicentennial. His surviving family, Lilly C Tow, 5 children and grandchildren including Christopher Yat Tow ’74 and Heather P. Tow-Yick ’98 continue to be actively involved with the Tow Prize.  

Students must be full-time enrolled at Brown during the selection period.

Juniors and seniors graduating in May 2012 are eligible to be nominated. 

Selection criteria: 

• Student must demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. 
• Student must show great promise to continue his or her development as an outstanding citizen of the United States.
• Student should articulate a clear vision of community work.
• Student should provide evidence of close collaboration with residents and/or community organizations that demonstrate a commitment to principles of partnership, shared leadership, self-reflection, and reciprocal learning and teaching. 
• While student’s work might have taken place in any community, preference will be given to work done in the greater Providence or RI area.
• Student has maintained a consistently strong academic record with no less than a "B" average while at Brown University.

Students must be nominated for this prize. Nominations may come from faculty, deans, staff , administration members, fellow Brown students or community members familiar with the student’s work. Self- nominations will be considered though we encourage students to approach others for nomination to this prize. 

The following items must be submitted: 

A nomination letter. This can be emailed to alan_flam@brown.edu or a hard copy sent to Tow Prize, Box 1974 Brown University, Providence, RI 02912-1974
A packet containing the following must be delivered to the Swearer Center, 25 George St or mailed to the address above:

An essay by the nominated student 

Resume

Official University Transcript (obtained through Registrar’s Office)

The nomination and packet submission deadline is April 3, 2012.

Both the nomination letter and student essay should address the following selection criteria:· Student must demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. · Student must show great promise to continue his or her development as an outstanding citizen of the United States.· Student should articulate a clear vision of community work.· Student should provide evidence of close collaboration with residents and/or community organizations that demonstrate a commitment to principles of partnership, shared leadership, self-reflection, and reciprocal learning and teaching. · While student’s work might have taken place in any community, preference will be given to work done in the greater Providence or RI area.· Student has maintained a consistently strong academic record with no less than a "B" average while at Brown University.