# Bouchet Graduate Honor Society

The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (often referred to as the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, Bouchet Society or BGHS) is an American honor society named after Edward Alexander Bouchet, the first African American to earn a doctorate degree (Ph.D. in Physics, Yale University, 1876). Established to recognize outstanding scholarly achievement and promote diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate, it was co-founded by Yale University and Howard University on September 15, 2005, commemorating Bouchet's birthday.

## History

The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society was co-founded by Yale University and Howard University on September 15, 2005, in commemoration of Bouchet's birthday. Inaugurated with a simulcast ceremony between Yale and Howard, the founding institutions reflect a commitment to combating historical underrepresentation in academia.
Honor societies have historically been critiqued for systemic bias and racism, often reflecting broader societal inequities in their membership and recognition practices. Traditional honor societies have sometimes perpetuated exclusion by upholding criteria or cultures that do not fully recognize the diverse potential of all scholars, particularly those from minority backgrounds. The Bouchet Society was established in part to address these gaps, emphasizing inclusivity and the importance of diverse scholarly contributions.
The Bouchet Society aims to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster supportive environments, and serve as exemplars of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy for those traditionally underrepresented in the academy.
The Bouchet Society has expanded to include numerous chapters across the United States.

## Membership

Membership is granted to individuals who demonstrate significant achievements aligned with the society's core values, including doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members. A distinct aspect of the society's nomination process is its focus on self-nominations and endorsements from faculty, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups such as minorities and women in STEM.

## Activities and awards

The society organizes annual conferences and forums, fostering professional development, networking, and academic exchange among members. These events also serve as platforms for discussing and promoting DEI initiatives within higher education.
The Bouchet Leadership Medal recognizes leaders who exemplify outstanding scholarly and community-oriented achievements, serving as role models in both academic and broader social contexts.

## Chapters

Following is a list of Bouchet Society chapters.
| Chapter | Charter date | Location | Status |
| Yale University | September 15, 2005 | New Haven, Connecticut | Active |
| Howard University | September 15, 2005 | Washington, D.C. | Active |
| Cornell University | 2006 | Ithaca, New York | Active |
| Washington University in St. Louis | 2007 | St. Louis, Missouri | Active |
| University of Michigan | 2008 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Active |
| George Washington University | 2009 | Washington, D.C. | Active |
| University of California, San Diego | 2010 | San Diego, California | Active |
| University of Wisconsin–Madison | 2010 | Madison, Wisconsin | Active |
| The Chicago School | 2013 | Chicago, Illinois | Active |
| Virginia Tech | 2015 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Active |
| Northwestern University | 2017 | Evanston, Illinois | Active |
| Johns Hopkins University | April 2018 | Baltimore, Maryland | Active |
| Michigan State University | April 5, 2019 | East Lansing, Michigan | Active |
| Emory University | 2019 | Atlanta, Georgia | Active |
| Florida International University | 2023 | University Park, Florida | Active |
| Rutgers University | | | Active |
| University of California, Los Angeles | | Los Angeles, California | Active |
| University of Florida | | Gainesville, Florida | Active |
| University of Miami | | Coral Gables, Florida | Active |